2 Corinthians 2:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 2:5 mean?

2 Corinthians 2:5 means that if anyone in the church has caused sorrow or trouble, the main hurt was not directed at Paul himself, but only affected him partly, so that he would not put too much blame or burden on the whole group. Paul is careful not to accuse or weigh down the entire church for the actions of one person.

Paul is writing to the believers in Corinth, addressing a situation where someone had caused pain—most likely referring to a previous incident of wrongdoing in the church. Paul wants the Corinthians to know he is not holding the whole community responsible for one person’s actions, and he is trying to avoid making everyone feel guilty or overly burdened by the issue.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 2:5

• The word for "grief" (λυπέω, lypeō) is used several times here, and it means to cause sorrow or distress. Paul repeats it to highlight the emotional impact of the situation.
• The phrase "in part" (ἀπὸ μέρους, apo merous) shows that Paul only feels a portion of the pain, not the full weight, and he does not want to exaggerate the offense.
• The word "overcharge" (ἐπιβαρέω, epibareō) means to put a burden or extra weight on someone. Paul uses it to explain his intention not to make the church feel more responsible than is fair.

Why 2 Corinthians 2:5 matters

• This verse helps clear up that Paul is not blaming the whole church for the actions of one member, showing his fairness and care in handling conflict.
• It reveals Paul’s sensitivity to the feelings of the group, as he wants to avoid causing unnecessary guilt or discouragement among the believers.
• The verse connects to the wider passage about forgiveness and restoration, setting the stage for Paul’s encouragement to forgive and comfort the person who had done wrong.