New International VersionAnyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
New Living TranslationWhen you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
English Standard VersionAnyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
Berean Standard BibleIf you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
Berean Literal BibleNow to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; and indeed to whom I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for the sake of you, in the person of Christ,
King James BibleTo whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
New King James VersionNow whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
New American Standard BibleBut one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
NASB 1995But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
NASB 1977But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Legacy Standard BibleBut one whom you graciously forgive anything, I graciously forgive also. For indeed what I have graciously forgiven, if I have graciously forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Amplified BibleIf you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive [that one]; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of [and with the approval of] Christ,
Christian Standard BibleAnyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ,
Holman Christian Standard BibleIf you forgive anyone, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for you in the presence of Christ.
American Standard VersionBut to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ;
Contemporary English VersionI will forgive anyone you forgive. Yes, for your sake and with Christ as my witness, I have forgiven whatever needed to be forgiven.
English Revised VersionBut to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the person of Christ;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIf you forgive someone, so do I. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did in the presence of Christ for your benefit.
Good News TranslationWhen you forgive people for what they have done, I forgive them too. For when I forgive--if, indeed, I need to forgive anything--I do it in Christ's presence because of you,
International Standard VersionWhen you forgive someone, I do, too. Indeed, what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I did in the presence of the Messiah for your benefit,
NET BibleIf you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him--for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ,
New Heart English BibleNow I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Webster's Bible TranslationTo whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes I forgave it, in the person of Christ;
Weymouth New TestamentWhen you forgive a man an offence I also forgive it; for in fact what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has always been for your sakes in the presence of Christ, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
World English BibleNow I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd to whom you forgive anything—I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven [it], because of you—in the person of Christ—[I forgive it,]
Berean Literal BibleNow to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; and indeed to whom I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for the sake of you, in the person of Christ,
Young's Literal Translation And to whom ye forgive anything -- I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven it, because of you -- in the person of Christ -- I forgive it,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd to whom ye show any favor; I also: for also if I have shown any kindness, to whom I have shown kindness, through you in the face of Christ; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd to whom you have pardoned any thing, I also. For, what I have pardoned, if I have pardoned any thing, for your sakes have I done it in the person of Christ.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut anyone whom you have forgiven of anything, I also forgive. And then, too, anyone I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it was done in the person of Christ for your sakes,
New American BibleWhomever you forgive anything, so do I. For indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for you in the presence of Christ,
New Revised Standard VersionAnyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTo whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for anything which I have forgiven, to whomever I forgave it, it is for your sakes I forgave it in the presence of Christ:
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut the one whom you forgive, I forgive also; for anything that I forgave him, that which I forgave in the presence of The Messiah I forgave for your sakes, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWhom you forgive any thing, I forgive it also: for what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven any thing, I have forgiven for your sake, in the person of Christ,
Godbey New TestamentBut to whom you forgive anything, I do also: for indeed whatsoever I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sakes in the face of Christ;
Haweis New TestamentBut to whomsoever ye forgive any thing, so do I; and if I forgive any thing, to whom I forgive, for your sakes I do it, in the person of Jesus Christ,
Mace New Testamentto whom you forgive any thing, I also forgive: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it, for your sakes (as Christ is
Weymouth New TestamentWhen you forgive a man an offence I also forgive it; for in fact what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has always been for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Worrell New TestamentAnd to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also; for what I also have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—for your sakes have I forgiven it in the person of Christ;
Worsley New TestamentAnd to whom ye forgive any thing, I also forgive it: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it him, to whom I did forgive it, for your sakes, in the person of Christ; that we might not be foiled by Satan:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Reaffirm Your Love… 9My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgiveanyone,I also forgive him.AndifI have forgivenanything,Ihave forgivenitinthe presenceof Christfor your sake,11in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.…
Cross References Matthew 6:14-15For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
Ephesians 4:32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Luke 17:3-4Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Mark 11:25And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:15And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
Romans 12:19-21Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Peter 4:8Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Galatians 6:1Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Philemon 1:15-16For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.
Matthew 5:23-24So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Luke 6:37Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Proverbs 19:11A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
Treasury of Scripture To whom you forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; whom ye. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseechyou by us: we prayyou in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them;and whose soeversins ye retain, they are retained. person. Jump to Previous AlwaysChristFactForgaveForgiveForgivenForgivenessIndeedOffencePresenceSakeSakesSightWhomeverJump to Next AlwaysChristFactForgaveForgiveForgivenForgivenessIndeedOffencePresenceSakeSakesSightWhomever2 Corinthians 2 1.Having shown the reason why he came not to them,6.he requires them to forgive and to comfort that excommunicated person,10.even as he himself upon true repentance had forgiven him;12.declaring why he departed from Troas to Macedonia,14.and the happy success which God gave to his preaching in all places.If you forgive anyone,Forgiveness is a central theme in Christian teaching, reflecting the forgiveness believers receive from God. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul addresses the need for the Corinthian church to forgive a member who had previously caused distress, likely referring to the individual mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5. Forgiveness within the community is essential for maintaining unity and reflects the teachings of Jesus, such as in Matthew 6:14-15, where forgiveness is tied to receiving forgiveness from God. I also forgive him.
Paul emphasizes his authority and willingness to forgive, aligning himself with the actions of the church. This reflects the apostolic authority he holds and his role in guiding the church's spiritual health. It also demonstrates the importance of leaders modeling forgiveness, as seen in the example of Jesus, who forgave those who wronged Him (Luke 23:34). And if I have forgiven anything,
Paul's statement here is somewhat hypothetical, suggesting that if there were any other offenses, he is ready to forgive them. This reflects the comprehensive nature of Christian forgiveness, which is not limited or conditional. It echoes the teaching of Jesus inMatthew 18:21-22, where forgiveness is to be extended repeatedly. I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ
Paul's forgiveness is not merely a personal decision but is done with an awareness of Christ's presence. This indicates that forgiveness is a spiritual act, done with the consciousness of being before Christ, who is the ultimate judge and source of forgiveness. It underscores the belief that all actions, especially those involving reconciliation, are done with Christ's oversight and approval. for your sake,
Paul's forgiveness is motivated by his concern for the Corinthian church's well-being. It highlights the communal aspect of forgiveness, where the act is not just for the individual offender but for the health and unity of the entire body of believers. This reflects the teaching inEphesians 4:32, where believers are encouraged to forgive one another as God in Christ forgave them, promoting peace and unity within the church. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness within the Christian community. 2. The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of the letter, a diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, dealing with issues of sin and reconciliation. 3. The OffenderAn unnamed individual in the Corinthian church who had caused grief, likely the same person mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5, who was disciplined by the church. 4. ChristCentral to the act of forgiveness, as Paul forgives in the presence of Christ, indicating the spiritual and communal aspect of forgiveness. 5. The Act of ForgivenessA key event in the life of the church, demonstrating the power of grace and reconciliation in the Christian faith. Teaching Points The Importance of Forgiveness in CommunityForgiveness is essential for maintaining unity and peace within the church. It prevents bitterness and division, allowing the community to reflect Christ's love. Forgiveness as an Act of ObedienceForgiving others is not optional but a command from Christ. It is an act of obedience that aligns us with God's will and character. Forgiveness in the Presence of ChristForgiving in the presence of Christ means recognizing His authority and example in the act of forgiveness. It is a spiritual act that acknowledges Christ's role in reconciliation. The Role of Leadership in ForgivenessLeaders, like Paul, play a crucial role in modeling and facilitating forgiveness within the church. Their example can lead others to follow suit. Forgiveness and Personal HealingForgiving others is not only beneficial for the community but also for personal spiritual health. It frees individuals from the burden of resentment and opens the way for healing. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 2:10?
2.How does forgiving others reflect Christ's forgiveness as seen in 2 Corinthians 2:10?
3.What role does forgiveness play in spiritual warfare according to 2 Corinthians 2:10?
4.How can we apply Paul's example of forgiveness in our daily lives?
5.How does 2 Corinthians 2:10 connect with Jesus' teachings on forgiveness in Matthew 6:14?
6.Why is it important to forgive "in the presence of Christ"?
7.What does 2 Corinthians 2:10 teach about forgiveness and its importance in Christian life?
8.How does 2 Corinthians 2:10 relate to the concept of authority in the church?
9.Why is forgiveness emphasized in 2 Corinthians 2:10, and how does it affect community relationships?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 2?
11.How can I seek repentance?
12.How can I ensure my place in heaven?
13.How can I find forgiveness for my guilt?
14.What causes demonic activity to occur?What Does 2 Corinthians 2:10 Mean If you forgive anyone“ If you forgive anyone ” (2 Corinthians 2:10) shows Paul placing real authority in the hands of the Corinthian believers. • He recognizes their responsibility to extend forgiveness, echoing Jesus’ charge inJohn 20:23. • Their decision is expected to align with Christ’s teaching inMatthew 18:21-22—unlimited grace toward the repentant. • Forgiveness here concerns the repentant offender from1 Corinthians 5:1-5, who was disciplined by the church and now needs restoration.
I also forgive himPaul says, “ I also forgive him.” • He refuses to hold a separate ledger of grievances; unity demands harmony (Colossians 3:13). • The apostle models submission to the body’s decision, reinforcingEphesians 4:3: “Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” • His words protect against factions—if the church forgives, its leaders must not undermine that act.
And if I have forgiven anythingPaul acknowledges any offense specifically against him: “ And if I have forgiven anything …” • Personal injuries must not linger; Paul follows his own counsel inRomans 12:17-19 about refusing vengeance. • This serves as a pattern: spiritual leaders are not exempt from granting genuine pardon (Mark 11:25).
I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ“I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ …” grounds the act before the Lord Himself. • Forgiveness is not casual; it is done “before” (literally “in the sight of”) Christ, honoring His command inMatthew 6:14-15. • Christ witnesses and validates the transaction, assuring that what is bound or loosed on earth is recognized in heaven (Matthew 18:18). • This elevates the moment from a social gesture to a sacred covenant.
for your sake“… for your sake” reveals the purpose behind Paul’s forgiveness. • The church’s spiritual health is at stake; lingering bitterness gives “the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:26-27). • By releasing the offender, Paul safeguards the congregation from division and discouragement (2 Corinthians 2:11). • Genuine forgiveness strengthens communal joy and testimony (Philippians 2:1-2).
summaryPaul teaches that church-wide forgiveness restores the repentant, protects unity, and is carried out under Christ’s watchful eye. When believers forgive, spiritual leaders must join them, doing so openly before the Lord and for the edification of the entire body. (10) To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also.--The procedure of 1Corinthians 5:3-7 is again, obviously, in his mind. Though absent in body, he had made himself a sharer spiritually in that censure. He now, anticipating their compliance with his request, makes himself a sharer in the sentence of absolution. For if I forgave any thing.--Better,if I have forgiven; and so in the following clauses. The case is put hypothetically, though he has an actual offender in his thoughts, because he had, in2Corinthians 2:5, all but disclaimed the character of being an aggrieved person. He confines himself, therefore, to saying: "So far as I was aggrieved, I have forgiven; so far as I have forgiven, it is for your sake as a body, not merely for my own and that of the offender." In the person of Christ.--Literally,in the face of Christ (See Note on2Corinthians 1:11.)In the presence of Christ is, therefore, a possible rendering. The English version is probably correct, the phrase conveying the same sense as "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" in1Corinthians 5:4, but in a somewhat stronger form. He had forgiven, as though Christ was acting in or by him. The forgiveness would be as authoritative as the censure. It will be noted that he claims in its fulness the authority given to the Apostles of Christ inJohn 20:23. . . . Verse 10. - To whom ye forgive any thing. In the original there is a conjunction, "but." It would, perhaps, be pressing it too much to imply that their "forgiveness" showed that they had not accurately stood the test of perfect obedience; yet it is difficult to read the whole passage without suspecting that St. Paul, while by temperament he leaned to the side of mercy, is here showing a spirit of generous self-suppression m accepting the course which the Corinthians had followed, although it had, in some way or other, diverged from his exact directions. To whom, Obviously, again, a purposely indefinite reference to the incestuous person. I forgive also. The power of "binding" and "loosing," of "forgiving" and "retaining," had only been given to the apostles representatively and collectively, and therefore to the Christian Church ( John 20:23) in its corporate capacity. The Corinthian Church had in this case decided to forgive, and St. Paul ratifies their decision. For if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it. The reading here varies between ὅ, what, and ω΅, to whom, which in dictation might be easily confused. The order of the words also varies. The best reading seems to be expressed by the version, "For what I also have pardoned, if I have pardoned anything (I have pardoned it) for your sakes." This represents the reading of א, A, B, C, F, G, etc., and is followed by the Revised Version. There seems to be here an intentional vagueness, and reference to circumstances of which we are not informed, which might, perhaps, have given room for wounded feelings in any one less magnanimous than St. Paul. The line he took in this matter was taken for their sakes - that is all he says, he adopted it as the best relatively, whether it was absolutely the best or not. In the person of Christ; literally, in the face of Christ; which seems to mean "in the presence of Christ," as though he were looking on at what I did (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13, 18; 2 Corinthians 4:6). It may be doubted whether the word prosopon ever means "person" in the New Testament, except in a secondary sense.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek If you forgiveχαρίζεσθε(charizesthe)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5483:(a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.anyone,ᾧ(hō)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.I also [forgive him].κἀγώ(kagō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504:To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.Andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.ifεἴ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.I have forgivenκεχάρισμαι(kecharismai)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5483:(a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.anything,τι(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.Iἐγὼ(egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.have forgivenκεχάρισμαι(kecharismai)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5483:(a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.[it]ὃ(ho)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[the] presenceπροσώπῳ(prosōpō)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383:From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.of ChristΧριστοῦ(Christou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.for your sake,δι’(di’)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.
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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 2:10 Now I also forgive whomever you forgive (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
