Forgiveness and Restoration of the Offender
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
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2Cor.2.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- λελυπηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εμε: PRON,acc,sg,1
- λελυπηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- μερους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- επιβαρω: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,sg
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 2:6 (structural): Immediate context: follows directly and explains communal discipline—punishment by the majority—showing the verse's concern with restraint so the whole church is not overwhelmed.
- 2 Corinthians 7:8–10 (verbal): Same correspondence about causing grief: Paul defends having caused sorrow by his previous letter, describing godly sorrow that leads to repentance—clarifies the constructive aim of grief.
- 1 Corinthians 5:2–5 (thematic): Paul's treatment of a case of sexual immorality where church discipline produces sorrow; both passages address corrective action that affects the whole community.
- Matthew 18:15–17 (structural): Prescribes escalating, communal steps for confronting sin in the church—parallel concern for corrective procedure that involves and impacts the whole assembly.
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): Exhorts gentle restoration of someone overtaken in a fault—reflects the pastoral balance between correction and care to avoid crushing or overwhelming the person or community.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if anyone has caused grief, he has not so grieved me as to make the matter unbearable; rather, only in part—so that I might not lay upon you an excessive burden.
- If anyone has caused sorrow, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you; to some degree—I do not say this to put him to shame, but that you might see plainly the love you have for him.
2Cor.2.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ικανον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- τοιουτω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιτιμια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- υπο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πλειονων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (thematic): Paul instructs the church to judge and punish a member guilty of gross immorality (expulsion/delivery to Satan), paralleling communal disciplinary action mentioned in 2 Cor 2:6.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (structural): Jesus sets out the stepwise procedure for confronting and, if necessary, treating an unrepentant member as a outsider—the institutional framework for the majority's sanction implied in 2 Cor 2:6.
- Titus 3:10 (thematic): Paul advises rejecting a factious person after warning, echoing the principle of exclusion or sanction by the believing community referred to in 2 Cor 2:6.
- 1 Timothy 5:20 (thematic): Public rebuke of those who persist in sin in the church corresponds to the exercise of communal punishment and corrective discipline referenced in 2 Cor 2:6.
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): While endorsing restoration rather than mere punishment, this instruction to restore a fallen brother gently relates to the goal and subsequent pastoral concern that frames the disciplinary action noted in 2 Cor 2:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a one.
- The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a one.
2Cor.2.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- τουναντιον: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- χαρισασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- και: CONJ
- παρακαλεσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- μη: PART
- πως: ADV
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- περισσοτερα: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- λυπη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- καταποθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τοιουτος: DEM,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (structural): Same letter-context: Paul explains that his earlier severe letter produced godly sorrow and repentance, so here he urges the church to comfort and forgive the penitent to complete restoration.
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): Both passages urge the community to restore a sinning or fallen brother gently and with care, warning against harshness that could cause further harm.
- 1 Corinthians 5:5 (allusion): Paul’s instruction to 'deliver such a one to Satan... that the spirit may be saved' presents punitive discipline intended for eventual restoration, paralleling 2 Cor 2:7’s concern that punishment lead to repentance and then to forgiveness and comfort.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus’ procedure for confronting and disciplining a sinful brother within the community aims at repentance and reconciliation, echoing Paul’s emphasis on corrective action followed by restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- So you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
- So on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
2Cor.2.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- παρακαλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- κυρωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- αγαπην·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus outlines a procedure for confronting and, if repentance occurs, restoring a sinning brother—parallel to Paul's concern that the congregation reaffirm love toward the repentant offender.
- Galatians 6:1-2 (thematic): Paul instructs believers to restore a person caught in sin gently and to bear one another's burdens, reflecting the same pastoral call to reinstate and support a repentant member.
- James 5:19-20 (thematic): James urges the community to bring back those who wander from the truth, with saving consequences—similar motive to Paul’s appeal to reaffirm love for one who has repented.
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-13 (structural): Immediate Corinthian context: Paul explains how his earlier severe letter produced godly sorrow and repentance in the offender, which grounds his present plea that the church confirm their love and forgiveness.
- Ephesians 4:32 (thematic): Paul commands kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness, principles that underpin the appeal in 2 Cor 2:8 to reestablish loving relations with a repentant brother.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
- Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
2Cor.2.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- και: CONJ
- εγραψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- γνω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δοκιμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εις: PREP
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- υπηκοοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-12 (structural): Continues the same episode: Paul explains that his previous severe letter produced godly sorrow and proved the Corinthians' repentance and obedience, directly tying to his stated aim in 2 Cor 2:9 to 'know the proof' of them.
- 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 (thematic): Paul commands punitive action against a sinning member with the stated goal of ultimate restoration; parallels 2 Cor 2:9's concern that disciplinary measures elicit obedient repentance within the community.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Jesus' prescribed process for confronting and (if necessary) excluding an unrepentant member, with the aim of restoration, parallels Paul's use of corrective measures to test and secure obedience in the church.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 (verbal): Paul's injunction to 'examine yourselves' and test whether you are in the faith echoes the language and purpose of 2 Cor 2:9—assessing the community's faithfulness and obedience.
Alternative generated candidates
- For to this end I also wrote, that I might test you, whether you are obedient in everything.
- For to this end also I wrote, that I might test you, whether you are obedient in everything.
2Cor.2.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- χαριζεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- καγω·και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κεχαρισμαι: VERB,perf,mid,ind,1,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- κεχαρισμαι: VERB,perf,mid,ind,1,sg
- δι᾽υμας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- προσωπω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 20:23 (verbal): Jesus gives the apostles authority to forgive or retain sins; Paul's claim to forgive 'in the person of Christ' echoes this apostolic authority to remit sins.
- Matthew 18:18 (structural): Jesus' 'whatever you bind/loose' statement provides the framework for communal discipline and authority that parallels Paul's exercising of forgiveness for the church's sake.
- 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (structural): Paul describes exercising authoritative discipline 'when you are assembled' and acting 'in the name of the Lord Jesus,' paralleling his disciplinary/forgiving actions done 'in person of Christ.'
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (thematic): Immediate context: Paul recounts the offender's godly sorrow and repentance and the church's restoration, explaining why he acted and forgave for the church's sake.
- Colossians 3:13 (thematic): Exhortation to forgive one another as the Lord forgave you echoes the theological motive and Christ‑centered model behind forgiving 'in the person of Christ.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Whoever you forgive, I also forgive; for what I have forgiven—if indeed I have forgiven anything—I have forgiven in the person of Christ, for your sake.
- To the one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I have done it for your sakes in the presence of Christ.
2Cor.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- πλεονεκτηθωμεν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,1,pl
- υπο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Σατανα: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- νοηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αγνοουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Eph.6.11 (verbal): Uses similar language about standing against the devil's 'schemes'/'methods' (Greek: μεθοδίας/παγίδας); both warn believers to be alert to Satan's strategies.
- 2Cor.11.3 (thematic): Paul expresses fear that the Corinthians may be led astray by Satan's cunning—echoes the concern in 2 Cor 2:11 about not being ignorant of his designs.
- 2Cor.11.14 (verbal): Describes Satan's deceptive tactic of appearing as an 'angel of light,' an example of the kinds of ploys implied by 'his schemes' in 2 Cor 2:11.
- 1Pet.5.8-9 (thematic): Warns that the devil prowls like a roaring lion and urges resistance—parallels 2 Cor 2:11's call to vigilance and knowledge of Satan's tactics.
- Jas.4.7 (thematic): Commands believers to 'resist the devil,' offering the practical response to the threat posed by Satan's schemes named in 2 Cor 2:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that we may not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
- Lest Satan should gain advantage over us—for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
If anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me so much as he has grieved you all—in part; I do not wish to say too much.
The punishment imposed by the majority is sufficient for such a one. So rather you should forgive and comfort him, lest he be swallowed up with excessive sorrow.
Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
For to this end I also wrote, that I might test you, whether you are obedient in everything.
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him; and what I have forgiven, I have forgiven for your sake in the person of Christ.
Lest Satan should outwit us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.