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2 Corinthians 2 · a question people ask

"But if any has caused sorrow" (2:5). Who was he, and what had he done?

In the text

The chapter doesn't say. It doesn't name him, say what he did, or say what "This punishment which was inflicted by the many" (2:6) was. It says the sorrow was caused "not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all" (2:5), that the punishment "is sufficient for such a one" (2:6), and it goes on, "so that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him" (2:7). These notes don't name him, don't tie him to anyone in any other chapter, and apply these verses to no person or church today.

The verses

“But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all. This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one; so that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.”
2 Corinthians 2:5-7 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2: Forgive him and comfort him

2 Corinthians 2 says of one who caused sorrow, "you should rather forgive him and comfort him" (2:7), and says, "For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God" (2:15). In 2:16, stench and sweet aroma are one Greek noun.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions