“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;”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 2:10 Mean?
"For your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ." Paul describes forgiving someone in the community, and he does so "for your sakes" and "in the person of Christ." The forgiveness isn't just personal between Paul and the offender — it's communal (for the church's benefit) and Christological (done as Christ's representative).
The phrase "in the person of Christ" (en prosopo Christou — in the face/presence of Christ) places Paul's forgiveness within Christ's authority. He's not just forgiving as Paul; he's forgiving as one who stands in Christ's place. The forgiveness carries apostolic and divine weight.
The "for your sakes" redirects the forgiveness away from the offender and toward the community. Paul forgives not primarily because the offender deserves it but because the community needs it. Unforgiveness would damage the church. The forgiveness serves the body more than the individual.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What unforgiveness are you holding that's affecting your community, not just you?
- 2.How does forgiving 'in the person of Christ' differ from personal forgiveness?
- 3.What does strategic, communal forgiveness look like in practice?
- 4.What advantage is the enemy gaining through unforgiveness in your sphere?
Devotional
I forgave for your sake, in the presence of Christ. The forgiveness isn't just about the offender. It's about the community. And it's done in Christ's name, with Christ's authority, as Christ's representative.
Paul forgives strategically, not sentimentally. The forgiveness serves the church: unforgiveness would allow Satan to gain advantage (verse 11). The community's health requires the restoration of the offender. Paul's forgiveness isn't a personal feeling — it's a pastoral act performed for communal benefit.
The phrase 'in the person of Christ' elevates the forgiveness to a Christological act. Paul isn't just letting it go because he's a nice person. He's forgiving as Christ's representative, with the authority Christ gives to those who act in His name. The forgiveness has divine backing.
This reframes how you think about forgiving: it's not just about you and the person who wronged you. It's about the community that's affected by the unresolved conflict. And it's about representing Christ — doing what He would do, in His name, with His authority, for the body's health.
Who do you need to forgive — not for their sake, but for your community's sake? What unforgiveness are you holding that's giving the enemy a foothold in your church, your family, your team? Paul forgave in the person of Christ. You can too.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also,.... This may extend to the forgiveness of any person, in any case; either…
To whom ye forgive anything - The sense here is, “I have confidence in you as a Christian society and such confidence,…
To whom ye forgive any thing - Here he farther shows them that his sole object in the punishment inflicted on the…
In these verses the apostle treats concerning the incestuous person who had been excommunicated, which seems to be one…
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also St Paul is here exercising the power of the keys (see Mat 16:19; Mat 18:18;…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture