“But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.”
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent — perhaps not to exaggerate my own suffering — Paul locates the offense within the community; it is a collective wound, not merely a personal affront. His restraint prevents self-pity from overshadowing communal harm.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 2:5
“But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me.” Having first praised them as feeling joy and sorrow for the same things as himself, he then strikes into the subject of this person, having said first, “my joy is the joy of you all.” But if my joy is the joy of you all, need is that you should also now feel pleasure with me, as you then were pained with me: for both in that you were made sorry, you made me glad; and now in that you rejoice, (if as I suppose you…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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