2 Corinthians 2:6

6 For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough;

2 Corinthians 2:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:6

Sufficient to such a man is this punishment
By this punishment is meant, the excommunication of the incestuous person, or the censure that was laid upon him by the church: for this

was inflicted by many;
not by the pastor only, or by the elders or more eminent persons in the church, but by the multitude, by the whole congregation, at least (upo twn pleionwn) , "by the more"; the greater, or major part; and not by one, or a few only: in inflicting this punishment, or laying on this censure in the public manner they did, they were certainly right, and to be commended; but inasmuch as there appeared signs of true repentance, it was sufficient, it had answered the purpose for which it was inflicted, and therefore it was high time to remove it: from whence we learn, that in case of gross enormities, there ought to be a public excommunication; and that this is to be done by the vote, and with the consent of the whole church, or the major part of it; and that in process of time, when the person thus dealt with has given the church satisfaction as to the truth and genuineness of his repentance, the censure ought to be taken off and he be cordially received into the communion of the church again. This "punishment", or "rebuke", (epitimia) , "by many", is the same which the Jews call F5 (Mybrb hxkwth) , "a reproof by many"; which is given by many, or in the presence of many.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 R. Eliahu in Adderet, c. 3. apud Trigland. de Sect. Karaeorum, p. 166.

2 Corinthians 2:6 In-Context

4 For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
5 But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure--not to put it too severely--to you all.
6 For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough;
7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.