2 Corinthians 2 5

2 Corinthians 2:5 kjv

But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

2 Corinthians 2:5 nkjv

But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent?not to be too severe.

2 Corinthians 2:5 niv

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.

2 Corinthians 2:5 esv

Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure ? not to put it too severely ? to all of you.

2 Corinthians 2:5 nlt

I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me.

2 Corinthians 2 verses

2 Corinthians 2 5 Meaning

In this verse, Paul addresses the negative impact caused by a specific individual in the Corinthian church. He shifts the focus from himself as the primary aggrieved party to the entire community, asserting that the sorrow caused by the offender was not so much personal to Paul, but largely affected all the Corinthians. The phrase "in part" is a careful qualification, suggesting Paul doesn't want to exaggerate the collective blame or burden the Corinthians by stating the problem universally, acknowledging varied degrees of offense or grief among them, or simply being charitable after their repentance. His aim is to ensure he doesn't "overstate" the damage, implying a desire for accuracy and a focus on communal healing rather than prolonged accusation.

2 Corinthians 2 5 Context

This verse is part of Paul's deeply personal and passionate second letter to the Corinthian church. It immediately follows Paul's explanation of why he previously sent a "sorrowful letter" (now lost, but parts of it might be integrated into 1 Cor or this letter) instead of revisiting them in person, fearing he would bring sorrow upon them rather than joy (2 Cor 2:1-4). This prior letter evidently contained a stern rebuke regarding an issue, often understood to be the incestuous man of 1 Cor 5:1-5, which required the church to take disciplinary action.

Here in 2 Cor 2:5, Paul addresses the aftermath of that disciplinary action. The offender, after being rebuked by the church, had likely shown repentance (implied by 2 Cor 2:6-8). Paul's point is to ensure the church understood the gravity of the sin's impact not just on himself, but on the entire body, while simultaneously guiding them toward forgiveness and restoration. This part of the letter aims to re-establish fellowship and move past the pain, emphasizing the need for comfort and love for the now repentant brother.

Historically, this passage reflects the dynamics of authority, sin, and forgiveness within early Christian communities. Paul's apostolic authority was sometimes questioned in Corinth, making his careful articulation crucial. The discipline was meant to purify the church and bring the offender to repentance, a practice rooted in both Jewish and early Christian understanding of community holiness.

2 Corinthians 2 5 Word analysis

• But if anyone (εἰ δέ τις - ei de tis): "But if" introduces a mild opposition or clarification. "Anyone" remains general; while widely connected to the man in 1 Cor 5, Paul keeps it broad to focus on the principle rather than the person, or perhaps because the initial sorrow was for something specific that affected the whole church generally.
• has caused sorrow (ἐλύπησεν - elupēsen): From λυπέω (lupeō), meaning "to grieve," "to distress," "to cause sorrow or pain." It implies a strong emotional reaction, reflecting a genuine hurt.
• he has caused sorrow (λελύπηκεν - lelypēken): This repetition uses the perfect tense, which suggests a completed action with continuing results or a lasting state of sorrow. It emphasizes the enduring nature of the impact.
• not so much to me (οὐκ ἐμὲ - ouk eme): Paul humbly minimizes his personal hurt. This reflects his leadership posture, prioritizing the church's well-being over his own feelings, and prevents the issue from appearing as merely a personal slight against him. It highlights his desire to redirect their focus.
• as to all of you (ἀλλὰ πάντας ὑμᾶς - alla pantas hymas): "But rather to all of you." This directly counters the "to me," emphasizing that the collective body suffered from the sin. It underscores the corporate nature of the church; sin against one affects all, damaging their witness and internal purity.
• in part (ἀπὸ μέρους - apo merous): This crucial phrase qualifies "all of you." It literally means "from a part" or "in part." It signifies that the sorrow, though collective, wasn't experienced uniformly or by every single person to the same degree. Possible interpretations:
  • Not every single person was equally grieved, or perhaps some were part of the problem.
  • Paul acknowledges he doesn't want to overstate the blame, after the church has taken appropriate action and shown repentance.
  • It acknowledges that part of the sorrow was also his own, and not exclusively the church's, despite him minimizing his role initially.
• so that I would not overstate it (ἵνα μὴ ἐπιβαρῶ - hina mē epibarō): "So that I might not burden," "might not press too hard," "might not be too severe" or "overstate."
  • The verb ἐπιβαρῶ (epibarō) carries the sense of laying a heavy burden upon someone, or a rhetorical weight/emphasis that might be excessive. Paul is exercising pastoral sensitivity here, having seen their repentance. He wants to be precise and just, not to add to their previous grief by exaggerating the extent of the corporate suffering from the individual's sin, now that the issue is being resolved.
  • It speaks to Paul's gentle and restorative pastoral approach, balancing severity with grace.

2 Corinthians 2 5 Bonus section

The identity of the "anyone" in this verse is a subject of scholarly debate. While many scholars link this directly to the sexually immoral man from 1 Corinthians 5, some suggest it might be a different person who challenged Paul's authority, or even Paul's opponents. However, the context of church discipline and Paul's subsequent appeal for forgiveness strongly points to the man from 1 Corinthians 5. If it were a personal antagonist against Paul, the emphasis on the sorrow of "all of you" would be less poignant for collective discipline.

Paul’s phrase “in part” (ἀπὸ μέρους – apo merous) further reveals his rhetorical brilliance. It's not just a qualifier for factual accuracy but also a softener, mitigating any perception that Paul is accusing every single Corinthian directly of causing his personal pain. He reframes the sorrow as primarily theirs, yet acknowledges its uneven distribution and avoids adding an unnecessary burden, setting the stage for his appeal for mercy and forgiveness in the verses that follow. This illustrates the careful balance of a spiritual leader in correction and restoration.

2 Corinthians 2 5 Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:5 encapsulates Paul's pastoral wisdom, moving beyond mere grievance to communal healing. The sorrow caused by the offender, likely related to gross sin unaddressed earlier by the Corinthian church, extended beyond Paul to contaminate and grieve the entire community. This emphasis serves several purposes: it convicts the church of its communal responsibility, helps them grasp the far-reaching consequences of unaddressed sin, and encourages their unified participation in discipline and subsequent restoration. Paul's subtle "in part" shows a careful humility, acknowledging nuance without absolving everyone. His ultimate goal is to avoid overstating the problem, recognizing the Corinthians' newfound grief and repentance (as detailed in 2 Cor 7). The careful balance between stating the severity of sin's impact and gently leading them toward restorative grace defines this verse. It is a powerful example of handling difficult situations in the church, focusing on the welfare of the body and the repentance of the individual.

Example: If a community member openly lives in unrepentant sin, it doesn't just harm that individual. It also grieves other sincere believers, impacts the church's public witness, and compromises the spiritual health of the community. This verse reminds us that sin is rarely purely individual; its ripple effects are felt throughout the Body of Christ.