2 Corinthians 2:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

In these verses the apostle treats concerning the incestuous person who had been excommunicated, which seems to be one principal cause of his writing this epistle. Here observe, 1. He tells them that the crime of that person had grieved him in part; and that he was grieved also with a part of them, who, notwithstanding this scandal had been found among them, were puffed up and had not mourned, 1 Cor. 5:2. However, he was unwilling to lay too heavy a charge upon the whole church, especially... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

2:5-11 If anyone has caused grief, it is not I whom he has grieved, but to some extent--not to overstress the situation--all of you. To such a man the punishment that has been imposed by the majority is sufficient, so that, so far from inflicting severer punishment, you must forgive him and comfort him, lest such a one be engulfed by excess of grief. So then, I urge you, let your decision in regard to him be a decision of love. For when I wrote to you my purpose was to test you, to see if you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:7

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him ,.... On the other hand, so far the apostle suggests they should be from inflicting any other punishment on him, or by any means adding to, and increasing what was inflicted, that they ought to forgive him his offence, by taking off the censure from him, which had been sufficient for the purpose, and had continued on him a sufficient time: and comfort him ; by restoring him to the communion of the church, and to an enjoyment of all the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:7

Ye 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 more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 2:7

Verse 7 7.Lest such an one should be swallowed up by overmuch sorrow The end of excommunication, so far as concerns the power of the offender, is this: that, overpowered with a sense of his sin, he may be humbled in the sight of God and the Church, and may solicit pardon with sincere dislike and confession of guilt. The man who has been brought to this, is now more in need of consolation, than of severe reproof. Hence, if you continue to deal with him harshly, it will be — not discipline, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

The uniting force of Christian love. "But I determined this with myself," etc. The subject which these words suggest is the uniting force of Christian love. We see it here uniting all its subjects in a common sympathy, a common punishment, and a common forgiveness. Here is Christian love— I. UNITING ALL ITS SUBJECTS IN A COMMON SYMPATHY . "But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

Further explanations and directions touching matters lust discussed. The most copious writer in the New Testament is the man whose inward constitution and life are most fully brought into view. If the fact itself is noteworthy, the art of its management is even more significant. Didactic treatises would have excluded this method of blending the abstract and the concrete, and therefore the epistolary form which St. Paul adopted. What do we mean by this form? Much more, indeed, than a facile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

The results of his letter in their treatment of the incestuous offender. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Restoring the backslider. I. CHURCH DISCIPLINE SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CHURCH . "This punishment which was inflicted by the many" ( 2 Corinthians 2:6 ). Not by an individual, be he the pope himself, nor by priests or clergy, but by the whole body of the individual Church or a majority of its members. A Christian has a right to be judged by his peers. II. CHURCH DISCIPLINE SHOULD EVER HAVE IN VIEW RESTORATION . Its object is not to punish the... read more

Group of Brands