2 Corinthians 2:10
New International Version
Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,

New Living Translation
When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,

English Standard Version
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,

Berean Standard Bible
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

Berean Literal Bible
Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; and indeed to whom I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for the sake of you, in the person of Christ,

King James Bible
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

New King James Version
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

New American Standard Bible
But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

NASB 1995
But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

NASB 1977
But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

Legacy Standard Bible
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 in the presence of Christ,

Amplified Bible
If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive [that one]; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of [and with the approval of] Christ,

Christian Standard Bible
Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you forgive anyone, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for you in the presence of Christ.

American Standard Version
But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ;

Contemporary English Version
I will forgive anyone you forgive. Yes, for your sake and with Christ as my witness, I have forgiven whatever needed to be forgiven.

English Revised Version
But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the person of Christ;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you forgive someone, so do I. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did in the presence of Christ for your benefit.

Good News Translation
When you forgive people for what they have done, I forgive them too. For when I forgive--if, indeed, I need to forgive anything--I do it in Christ's presence because of you,

International Standard Version
When you forgive someone, I do, too. Indeed, what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I did in the presence of the Messiah for your benefit,

Majority Standard Bible
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

NET Bible
If you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him--for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ,

New Heart English Bible
Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

Webster's Bible Translation
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes I forgave it, in the person of Christ;

Weymouth New Testament
When you forgive a man an offence I also forgive it; for in fact what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has always been for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

World English Bible
Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And to whom you forgive anything—I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven [it], because of you—in the person of Christ—[I forgive it,]

Berean Literal Bible
Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; and indeed to whom I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for the sake of you, in the person of Christ,

Young's Literal Translation
And to whom ye forgive anything -- I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven it, because of you -- in the person of Christ -- I forgive it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And to whom ye show any favor; I also: for also if I have shown any kindness, to whom I have shown kindness, through you in the face of Christ;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And to whom you have pardoned any thing, I also. For, what I have pardoned, if I have pardoned any thing, for your sakes have I done it in the person of Christ.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But anyone whom you have forgiven of anything, I also forgive. And then, too, anyone I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it was done in the person of Christ for your sakes,

New American Bible
Whomever you forgive anything, so do I. For indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for you in the presence of Christ,

New Revised Standard Version
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
To whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for anything which I have forgiven, to whomever I forgave it, it is for your sakes I forgave it in the presence of Christ:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the one whom you forgive, I forgive also; for anything that I forgave him, that which I forgave in the presence of The Messiah I forgave for your sakes,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Whom you forgive any thing, I forgive it also: for what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven any thing, I have forgiven for your sake, in the person of Christ,

Godbey New Testament
But to whom you forgive anything, I do also: for indeed whatsoever I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sakes in the face of Christ;

Haweis New Testament
But to whomsoever ye forgive any thing, so do I; and if I forgive any thing, to whom I forgive, for your sakes I do it, in the person of Jesus Christ,

Mace New Testament
to whom you forgive any thing, I also forgive: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it, for your sakes (as Christ is

Weymouth New Testament
When you forgive a man an offence I also forgive it; for in fact what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has always been for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

Worrell New Testament
And to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also; for what I also have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—for your sakes have I forgiven it in the person of Christ;

Worsley New Testament
And to whom ye forgive any thing, I also forgive it: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it him, to whom I did forgive it, for your sakes, in the person of Christ; that we might not be foiled by Satan:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Reaffirm Your Love
9My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 5:15
And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

Romans 12:19-21
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Philemon 1:15-16
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.


Treasury of Scripture

To whom you forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

whom ye.

2 Corinthians 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Matthew 18:18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

John 20:23
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

person.

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Always Christ Fact Forgave Forgive Forgiven Forgiveness Indeed Offence Presence Sake Sakes Sight Whomever
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2 Corinthians 2
1. Having shown the reason why he came not to them,
6. he requires them to forgive and to comfort that excommunicated person,
10. even as he himself upon true repentance had forgiven him;
12. declaring why he departed from Troas to Macedonia,
14. and the happy success which God gave to his preaching in all places.














When you forgive anyone
The Greek word for "forgive" here is "χαρίζομαι" (charizomai), which implies a gracious act of pardoning or giving freely. In the context of the early church, forgiveness was not merely a personal act but a communal one, reflecting the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ. Historically, the Corinthian church faced divisions and moral challenges, and Paul's emphasis on forgiveness underscores the necessity of reconciliation and restoration within the community. This phrase calls believers to embody the grace they have received from Christ, extending it to others as a testimony of their faith.

I also forgive him
Paul's declaration of forgiveness is not just a personal decision but an apostolic example. The Greek structure suggests a mutuality in forgiveness, where Paul's actions are in harmony with the church's. This reflects the interconnectedness of the Christian community, where leaders and members alike are called to model Christ's forgiveness. In a historical context, this would have been a powerful statement to the Corinthians, emphasizing that forgiveness is not optional but essential for maintaining the integrity and witness of the church.

And if I have forgiven anything
The conditional "if" (Greek "εἰ") introduces a hypothetical scenario, suggesting that Paul is willing to forgive any offense, real or perceived. This openness to forgive reflects the boundless nature of Christian forgiveness, which is not limited by the severity of the offense. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with Jesus' teachings on forgiveness, where believers are called to forgive "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22), symbolizing an infinite willingness to pardon.

I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ
The phrase "in the presence of Christ" (Greek "ἐν προσώπῳ Χριστοῦ") indicates that Paul's forgiveness is not merely a human action but one that is done with an awareness of Christ's presence and authority. This highlights the spiritual dimension of forgiveness, where believers act as representatives of Christ, embodying His love and mercy. Historically, this would remind the Corinthians that their actions are always before Christ, who is the ultimate judge and redeemer.

for your sake
Paul's motivation for forgiveness is for the benefit of the Corinthian church. The Greek "δι' ὑμᾶς" (for your sake) emphasizes the communal aspect of forgiveness, where the well-being of the church takes precedence. This reflects the biblical principle that forgiveness is not just for the individual but for the health and unity of the entire body of Christ. In the historical context of Corinth, a city known for its moral and social challenges, this would have been a crucial reminder of the transformative power of forgiveness in building a strong, unified community.

(10) To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also.--The procedure of 1Corinthians 5:3-7 is again, obviously, in his mind. Though absent in body, he had made himself a sharer spiritually in that censure. He now, anticipating their compliance with his request, makes himself a sharer in the sentence of absolution.

For if I forgave any thing.--Better, if I have forgiven; and so in the following clauses. The case is put hypothetically, though he has an actual offender in his thoughts, because he had, in 2Corinthians 2:5, all but disclaimed the character of being an aggrieved person. He confines himself, therefore, to saying: "So far as I was aggrieved, I have forgiven; so far as I have forgiven, it is for your sake as a body, not merely for my own and that of the offender."

In the person of Christ.--Literally, in the face of Christ (See Note on 2Corinthians 1:11.) In the presence of Christ is, therefore, a possible rendering. The English version is probably correct, the phrase conveying the same sense as "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" in 1Corinthians 5:4, but in a somewhat stronger form. He had forgiven, as though Christ was acting in or by him. The forgiveness would be as authoritative as the censure. It will be noted that he claims in its fulness the authority given to the Apostles of Christ in John 20:23. . . .

Verse 10. - To whom ye forgive any thing. In the original there is a conjunction, "but." It would, perhaps, be pressing it too much to imply that their "forgiveness" showed that they had not accurately stood the test of perfect obedience; yet it is difficult to read the whole passage without suspecting that St. Paul, while by temperament he leaned to the side of mercy, is here showing a spirit of generous self-suppression m accepting the course which the Corinthians had followed, although it had, in some way or other, diverged from his exact directions. To whom, Obviously, again, a purposely indefinite reference to the incestuous person. I forgive also. The power of "binding" and "loosing," of "forgiving" and "retaining," had only been given to the apostles representatively and collectively, and therefore to the Christian Church (John 20:23) in its corporate capacity. The Corinthian Church had in this case decided to forgive, and St. Paul ratifies their decision. For if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it. The reading here varies between , what, and ω΅, to whom, which in dictation might be easily confused. The order of the words also varies. The best reading seems to be expressed by the version, "For what I also have pardoned, if I have pardoned anything (I have pardoned it) for your sakes." This represents the reading of א, A, B, C, F, G, etc., and is followed by the Revised Version. There seems to be here an intentional vagueness, and reference to circumstances of which we are not informed, which might, perhaps, have given room for wounded feelings in any one less magnanimous than St. Paul. The line he took in this matter was taken for their sakes - that is all he says, he adopted it as the best relatively, whether it was absolutely the best or not. In the person of Christ; literally, in the face of Christ; which seems to mean "in the presence of Christ," as though he were looking on at what I did (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 13, 18; 2 Corinthians 4:6). It may be doubted whether the word prosopon ever means "person" in the New Testament, except in a secondary sense.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If you forgive
χαρίζεσθε (charizesthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

anyone,
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I also [forgive him].
κἀγώ (kagō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

I have forgiven
κεχάρισμαι (kecharismai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

anything,
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

have forgiven
κεχάρισμαι (kecharismai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

[it]
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] presence
προσώπῳ (prosōpō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.

of Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

for your sake,
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 2:10 Now I also forgive whomever you forgive (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 2:9
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