Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 2:5
Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you—to some degree, not to overstate it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church following a previous letter composed in distress, addressing a specific individual who has caused pain within the community. He clarifies the scope of that offense in relation to his own feelings and the assembly's experience.
The words — The Greek λελύπηκεν (lelupēken) is a perfect tense verb meaning "has caused grief" or "has grieved." Paul uses it to contrast the limited personal impact on himself with the broader impact on the entire group.
The thread — The text addresses internal church discipline and communal response to offense, paralleling the instructions in 1 Corinthians 5:12 regarding judging those inside the church and the reported immorality in 1 Corinthians 5:1. It also aligns with Paul's personal appeal in Galatians 4:12 where he urges the believers to become like him and explicitly states they have done him no wrong.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to recognize that personal offense should not be magnified beyond its actual scope, as the primary impact falls on the community. It directs attention toward the sufficiency of communal correction rather than individual grievance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 5:12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
- 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.
- Galatians 4:12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
- Galatians 5:10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.
- Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.