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Forgive and Love the Sinner

But (A)if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—[a]in order not to say too much—to all of you. Sufficient for such a one is (B)this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather (C)graciously forgive and comfort him, lest such a one be swallowed up by excessive sorrow. Therefore I encourage you to reaffirm your love for him. For to this end also (D)I wrote, so that I might (E)know your proven character, whether you are (F)obedient in all things. 10 But one whom you graciously forgive anything, I graciously forgive also. For indeed what I have graciously forgiven, if I have graciously forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes (G)in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by (H)Satan, for (I)we are not ignorant of his schemes.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:5 Lit so that I not be burdensome

Forgive and Comfort the Repentant Sinner

Now if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not done it to me, but to all of you to some extent (not to overstate it). This punishment inflicted on such a person by the majority is enough, so that instead you should rather forgive and comfort him, or else such a person could be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. For that reason, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. In fact, this was also the purpose of my writing: I wanted to know the result of your being tested, that is, if you are obedient in all things.

10 If you forgive anyone anything, I do too. To be sure, if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11 so that Satan would not take advantage of us. We are certainly not unaware of his schemes.

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