2 Corinthians 2:7

2 Corinthians 2:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
• New International Version (NIV)Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
• English Standard Version (ESV)so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
• New King James Version (NKJV)so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

Context of 2 Corinthians 2:7

5But if someone has caused [all this] sorrow, he has caused it not to me, but in some degree—not to put it too severely—[he has distressed and grieved] all of you. 6For such a one this punishment by the majority is sufficient, so instead [of further rebuke, now] you should rather [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8Therefore I urge you to reinstate him in your affections and reaffirm your love for him. 9For this was my purpose in writing, to see if you would stand the test, whether you are obedient and committed to following my instruction in all things.

2 Corinthians 2:7 word by word

ὥστε τοὐναντίον μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς χαρίσασθαι καὶ παρακαλέσαι, μή πως τῇ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• So thatὥστεhōste · soG5620
• contrariwiseτοὐναντίονtounantion · insteadG5121
• yeσύsu · youG4771
• ratherμᾶλλονmallon · more: ratherG3123
• to forgiveχαρίζωcharizomai · to give graceG5483
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• comfortπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
• lest perhapsμήπωςmēpōs mē pōs · so thatG3381
• such a oneτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
• should be swallowed upκαταπίνωkatapinō · to swallowG2666
• with overmuchπερισσόςperissos · excessiveG4053
• sorrowλύπηlupē · griefG3077

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 2:7

• Galatians 6:1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
• Ephesians 4:32Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
• Colossians 3:13bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, believers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His authority, that you withdraw and keep away from every brother or sister who leads an undisciplined life and does not live in accordance with the tradition and teaching that you have received from us.
• Hebrews 12:12So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble.
• 2 Corinthians 5:4For while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened [often weighed down, oppressed], not that we want to be unclothed [separated by death from the body], but to be clothed, so that what is mortal [the body] will be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection].
• 2 Samuel 20:19I am one of the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up (devour) the inheritance of the Lord?”
• Psalms 21:9You will make them as [if in] a blazing oven in the time of your anger; The Lord will swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire will devour them.
• Psalms 56:1Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled on me; All day long the adversary oppresses and torments me.
• Psalms 57:3He will send from heaven and save me; He calls to account him who tramples me down. Selah. God will send out His lovingkindness and His truth.
• Psalms 124:3Then they would have [quickly] swallowed us alive, When their wrath was kindled against us;
• Proverbs 1:12Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead), Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];
• Isaiah 28:7But even these reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink; They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while seeing visions, They stagger when pronouncing judgment.
• 1 Corinthians 15:54And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever).
• 2 Corinthians 7:10For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.
• Proverbs 17:22A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Ye ought rather to forgive him - He had now suffered enough; for the punishment inflicted had answered the end for which it was inflicted; and there was some danger that, if this poor culprit were not restored to the bosom of the Church, his distress and anguish would destroy his life, or drive him to despair.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7So that contrariwise - On the other hand: on the contrary. That is, instead of continuing the punishment. Since the punishment was sufficient, and has answered all the purpose of bearing your testimony against the offence, and of bringing him to repentance, you ought again to admit him to your communion. Ye ought rather to forgive him - Rather than continue the pain and disgrace of excommunication. It follows from this: (1)That the proper time for…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-11Verses 5-11 The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong, again into their communion; for he was aware of his fault, and much afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not only was there danger last Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but against the churches and the ministers of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-11These verses result from Paul's earlier visit and the insult he received. After Paul's severe but tearful letter, the church condemned the man's behavior and disciplined him (2:6). The man repented, so now it was time to forgive and comfort him, as Paul had already done.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. with overmuch sorrow--Greek, "with HIS overmuch sorrow."Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 2:7

• Church
• Love

In the dictionaries

• Advantage
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Determine
• Sufficient
• Bible, the
• Church Government
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Excommunication
• Forgiveness

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings