2 Corinthians 2:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,

NIV: The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.

NASB: Sufficient for such a person is this punishment which was imposed by the majority,

CSB: This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person.

NLT: Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.

KJV: Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

NKJV: This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,

We have no details about what went on between one of the men in the Corinthian church and Paul. Putting things together from the context of 1 and 2 Corinthians, Bible scholars speculate this man confronted Paul and challenged his authority as an apostle. The rest of the church either did not know about it or stood by and did nothing. Paul left and then wrote back to them a painful letter, which has not been kept. In it, he explained this man was in sin for rejecting Paul's God-given authority and leading the church astray. Paul apparently insisted the believers of Corinth must correct the man.

Paul has written that the man's offense was serious. He brought pain to the entire church. He was wrong. Now Paul writes, though, that it is time to turn and forgive the man. Paul says that punishment by the majority of the church is adequate. The term translated "punishment" here is epitimia, which only appears in the New Testament in this verse. Given the tone Paul uses here, it's possible that a softer word, such as "reprimand" or "scorn" might be more accurate.

A minority of interpreters suggested the man referred to here is the one sleeping with his father's wife, or stepmother, from 1 Corinthians 5. Paul told them to turn that man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (1 Corinthians 5:5). Most scholars do not believe that man to be the one Paul is talking about in this passage, however. The "punishment" given to the man who challenged Paul does not seem to have been as severe as being turned over to Satan, or excommunication. We are not told what the punishment was, but the man has apparently repented. Paul believes the time for any kind of censure or church discipline has come to an end.

Second Corinthians 2:5–11 contains Paul's agreement that a sinful man's offense was serious. Now that this man has repented in sorrow, however, Paul tells the Corinthians to stop his punishment and to forgive, comfort, and affirm their love for him. Paul knows now that they remain obedient. Forgiveness among Christians is essential in order to not be outwitted by the designs of Satan.

Paul explains why he delayed coming to visit the Corinthians. In great anguish, he had written a painful letter to tell them they must correct a man among them. This person may have challenged Paul's authority as an apostle of Jesus. The Corinthians disciplined the man, and he repented. Paul told them to forgive him. He tells of Titus failing to show up in Troas with news about the Corinthians, then transitions into teaching that Christians are the aroma of Christ on earth to everyone they know.

Second Corinthians continues uninterrupted from the previous chapter. Paul is explaining why he waited to come to Corinth. He wanted to see if they would side with him, or with the man who challenged his authority. They disciplined the man. He repented. Paul commands restoration and forgiveness. He then tells of failing to find Titus in Troas with news about them before transitioning into teaching that Christians are the aroma of Christ on earth, smelling of death to the perishing and life to those being saved. This brings Paul back to the subject of his own authority in chapter 3.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.