2 Corinthians 2:6

6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.

2 Corinthians 2:6 in Other Translations

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

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

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

6 What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough.

6 The punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a person,

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.

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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 great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely.

6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.

7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Corinthians 5:4,5; 2 Corinthians 7:11