Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Corinthians 2:6 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 6. 6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse calls the majority's imposed penalty sufficient for the person who caused grief.
Read It With
- 2 Corinthians 2:5–11
Read 2 Corinthians 2:6 with 2:5–11. This verse calls the majority's imposed penalty sufficient for the person who caused grief. The complete unit establishes this movement: Because the majority's discipline has been sufficient, Paul urges forgiveness, comfort, and public reaffirmation of love so the offender is not overwhelmed.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The unit shows the restorative goal of painful intervention. Within that movement, this verse calls the majority's imposed penalty sufficient for the person who caused grief.
Follow the Context
- The grief is communal and Paul avoids overstating blame.
- The majority's penalty is called sufficient.
- The community must forgive and comfort.
- Love should be reaffirmed so sorrow does not swallow the person.
- Paul joins the community's forgiveness.
- Refusing restoration can become destructive advantage.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of”
In plain language: Discipline has a stopping point and may become excessive after its purpose is met.
calls the majority's imposed penalty sufficient for the person who caused grief. Discipline has a stopping point and may become excessive after its purpose is met.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not authorize punishment without evidence, due process, proportionality, or appeal.
What Remains True
Discipline has a stopping point and may become excessive after its purpose is met.
How It Can Shape Life
- Review sanctions and end them when legitimate protective and corrective aims are satisfied.
Teach It Back
Explain how 2 Corinthians 2:6 contributes to 2 Corinthians 2:5–11. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 2 Corinthians 2:5–11 — Discipline Must Give Way to Forgiveness and ComfortSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The offense and offender are not identified.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Corinthians 2:5–11, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 2:5–11
Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 2:5–11, including attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open NET 2 Corinthians 2 notesmodern open commentary
2 Corinthians
Peter Balla
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Whole-letter setting, literary movement, Greek observations, and passage-level evangelical interpretation.
Exact location: Balla, TGC Bible Commentary, 2 Corinthians, introduction and section on 2:5–11
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Corinthians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Alan J. Avery-Peck; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: Jewish and Greco-Roman context, scriptural echoes, composition questions, and concise verse-level alternatives.
Exact location: Avery-Peck, Jewish Annotated New Testament, print pp. 315–331, introduction and annotations on 2:5–11
Open source ↗peer reviewed open access social scientific study
The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth
Jack Barentsen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 74.4, 2018
Supports: Social-scientific analysis of negotiated authority, community response, suffering, patronage, collection, and unity claims.
Exact location: Barentsen, 'The Social Construction of Paul's Apostolic Leadership in Corinth,' HTS 74.4 (2018), article a5191, pp. 1–13
Open source ↗Lexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Corinthians 2:5–11
Open source ↗