2Cor 2:4-6 | JFB | STEP | 4. So far from my change of purpose being due to "lightness" ( ), I wrote my letter to you ( ) "out of much affliction (Greek, 'trouble') and anguish of heart, and with many tears." not that ye should be grieved-- Translate, "be made sorry," to accord with the translation, . My ultimate and main object was, "not that ye might be made sorry," but that through sorrow you might be led to repentance, and so to joy, redounding both to you and me ( , ). I made you sorry before going to you, that when I went it might not be necessary. He is easily made sorry, who is admonished by a friend himself weeping [Bengel]. that ye might know the love-- of which it is a proof to rebuke sins openly and in season [Estius], ( ; ). "Love" is the source from which sincere reproof springs; that the Corinthians might ultimately recognize this as his motive, was the apostle's aim. which I have more abundantly unto you-- who have been particularly committed to me by God ( ; ; ).

‏ 2 Corinthians 2:4-6

4. So far from my change of purpose being due to "lightness" (2Co 1:17), I wrote my letter to you (2Co 2:3) "out of much affliction (Greek, 'trouble') and anguish of heart, and with many tears."

not that ye should be grieved--Translate, "be made sorry," to accord with the translation, 2Co 2:2. My ultimate and main object was, "not that ye might be made sorry," but that through sorrow you might be led to repentance, and so to joy, redounding both to you and me (2Co 2:2, 3). I made you sorry before going to you, that when I went it might not be necessary. He is easily made sorry, who is admonished by a friend himself weeping [Bengel].

that ye might know the love--of which it is a proof to rebuke sins openly and in season [Estius], (Psa 141:5; Pr 27:6). "Love" is the source from which sincere reproof springs; that the Corinthians might ultimately recognize this as his motive, was the apostle's aim.

which I have more abundantly unto you--who have been particularly committed to me by God (Ac 18:10; 1Co 4:15; 9:2).

5. grief ... grieved--Translate as before, "sorrow ... made sorry." The "any" is a delicate way of referring to the incestuous person.

not ... me, but in part--He has grieved me only in part (compare 2Co 1:14; Ro 11:25), that is, I am not the sole party aggrieved; most of you, also, were aggrieved.

that I may not overcharge--that I may not unduly lay the weight of the charge on you all, which I should do, if I made myself to be the sole party aggrieved. Alford punctuates, "He hath not made sorry me, but in part (that I press not too heavily; namely, on him) you all." Thus "you all" is in contrast to "me"; and "in part" is explained in the parenthetical clause.

6. Sufficient--without increasing it, which would only drive him to despair (2Co 2:7), whereas the object of the punishment was, "that (his) spirit might be saved" in the last day.

to such a man--a milder designation of the offender than if he had been named [Meyer]. Rather, it expresses estrangement from such a one who had caused such grief to the Church, and scandal to religion (Ac 22:22; 1Co 5:5).

this punishment--His being "delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh"; not only excommunication, but bodily disease (see on 1Co 5:4, 5).

inflicted of many--rather, "by the majority" (the more part of you). Not by an individual priest, as in the Church of Rome, nor by the bishops and clergy alone, but by the whole body of the Church.