2 Corinthians 2:6

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

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 out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. punishment: or, censure
The King James Version is in the public domain.