2 Corinthians 2:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,

NIV: Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,

NASB: But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

CSB: Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven--if I have forgiven anything--it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ,

NLT: When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,

KJV: To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

NKJV: Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

Paul said his previous letter—a now-lost text written after his letter of 1 Corinthians—and now this one provided a test to see whether the Corinthians would obey him, and ultimately God. Their charge was to first correct a sinful man in their midst, then to restore him once he repented.

Now Paul adds that he will affirm their right response. Though he is the one who was personally wronged by the man, he will follow their lead and forgive anyone they choose to forgive. Paul shows that his connection to them is not simply that of an authority and his subjects. He loves them and wants to share with them in this expression of forgiveness and love.

What he adds in this verse shows just how high the stake were when it comes to forgiveness. Paul said his choice to forgive—anyone, not just this man—is for their sake. He says this "in the presence of Christ," meaning that Christ would agree he is speaking the truth.

The following verse shows why this forgiveness is such a big deal. Satan uses unforgiveness and bitterness between Christians to divide. This destroys closeness, ministry, and the church's example to the world. That's why Paul will join with the Corinthians in forgiving this man and anyone else he needs to in the church.

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.