2 Corinthians 2:5

King James Version (KJV)

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

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

But, if any have caused grief - Here he seems to refer particularly to the cause of the incestuous person.

Grieved me, but in part - I cannot help thinking that the εκ μερους and απο μερους, which we render in part, and which the apostle uses so frequently in these epistles, are to be referred to the people. A part of them had acknowledged the apostle, 2 Corinthians 1:14; and here, a part of them had given him cause of grief; and therefore he immediately adds, that I may not overcharge you all; as only a part of you has put me to pain, (viz. the transgressor, and those who had taken his part), it would be unreasonable that I should load you all, επιβαρω παντας ὑμας, with the blame which attaches to that party alone.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

If any have caused grief - There is doubtless here an allusion to the incestuous person. But it is very delicately done. He does not mention him by name. There is not anywhere an allusion to his name; nor is it possible now to know it. Is this not a proof that the names of the offending brethren in a church should not be put on the records of sessions, and churches, and presbyteries, to be handed down to posterity? Paul does not here either expressly refer to such a person. He makes his remark general, that it might be as tender and kind to the offending brother as possible. They would know whom he meant, but they had already punished him, as Paul supposed, enough, and note all that he said in regard to him was as tender as possible, and suited, as much as possible, to conciliate his feelings and allay his grief. He did not harshly charge him with sin; he did not use any abusive or severe epithets; but he gently insinuates that he “had caused grief;” he had pained the hearts of his brethren.

He hath not grieved me, but in part - He has not particularly offended or grieved me. He has grieved me only in common with others, and as a part of the church of Christ. All have common cause of grief; and I have no interest in it which is not common to you all. I am but one of a great number who have felt the deepest concern on account of his conduct.

That I may not overcharge you all - That I may not bear hard ( ἐπιβαρῶ epibarō) on you all; that I may not accuse you all of having caused me grief. The sense is, “Grief has been produced. I, in common with the church, have been pained, and deeply pained, with the conduct of the individual referred to; and with that of his abettors and friends. But I would not charge the whole church with it; or seem to bear hard on them, or overcharge them with lack of zeal for their purity, or unwillingness to remove the evil.” They had shown their willingness to correct the evil by promptly removing the offender when he had directed it. The sense of this verse should be connected with the verse that follows; and the idea is, that they had promptly administered sufficient discipline, and that they were not now to be charged severely with having neglected it. Even while Paul said he had been pained and grieved, he had seen occasion not to bear hard on the whole church, but to be ready to commend them for their promptness in removing the cause of the offence.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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 Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

5. Caused grief. There is a difference of opinion as to whether Paul here refers to the incestuous person of 1 Cor. 5:1 or to the ringleader of opposition to him. Reasons set forth for both are inconclusive. However, because there is no specific reference in Scripture to the ringleader, as there is to the incestuous person, this commentary assumes that Paul refers to the latter. From the first epistle it appears that this case of immorality had been the most acute problem in the Corinthian church. The case had been aggravated by the open toleration of this offender and by the stubborn refusal, for a time, to deal effectively with it. This passage (2 Cor. 2:5-11) reveals that the church had by now complied with Paul’s instructions and had disfellowshiped the offender. This course of action had evidently led him to genuine repentance. Paul here counsels his restoration and reinstatement in the church.

Paul’s method of dealing with an erring member provides a commendable example for similar cases today. Paul’s firmness and severity toward the man while he remained unrepentant gave way to great tenderness once he had repented. Paul now sought to mitigate the contrite man’s burden of guilt and condemnation, and to restore him to favor with his brethren. Never once does he mention the man’s name, but considerately speaks of him as “such a one” (v. 7). There is no needless repetition of the man’s sins to wound his feelings. Today his name is known only to God. This is the spirit and method of Christ in dealing with such cases (see John 8:10, 11; see on Matt. 18:1-35). How different from those who would publicize the names of offenders and thereby crush them with unnecessary pain and dishonor! Where there is genuine repentance the case should be brought to a close, with no further reference to the incident and with wholehearted acceptance of the forgiven person.

Not grieved me. No personal motives had been involved in the stern measures recommended by Paul. His grief had been over the distress and confusion that had come to the church.

But in part. The latter part of the verse may be rendered more clearly, “but to some extent all of you?lest I be too severe [toward the repentant offender].” The offense was not so much against Paul as against the entire Corinthian church.

Overcharge. Gr. epibare?, “to put a burden upon.” Now that the case had been settled, Paul deliberately avoided wounding the offender by appearing to magnify the offense.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

Not grieved me. No personal motives had been involved in the stern measures recommended by Paul. His grief had been over the distress and confusion that had come to the church.

But in part. The latter part of the verse may be rendered more clearly, “but to some extent all of youÃ¢â‚¬â€lest I be too severe [toward the repentant offender].” The offense was not so much against Paul as against the entire Corinthian church.

Overcharge. Gr. epibareÃ…Â, “to put a burden upon.” Now that the case had been settled, Paul deliberately avoided wounding the offender by appearing to magnify the offense.

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Cross References

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