Paul encourages the Corinthian church to forgive a brother who has sinned and undergone punishment. He then speaks of his travel plans and his desire to hear how the Corinthian church responded to the "severe letter" (mentioned in 2 Cor. 2:1-4). Paul closes this section with encouragement that believers are the aroma of Christ, and regardless of how others respond to them living out the gospel, they are always triumphant.