2 Corinthians 2:7

 2 Corinthians 2::7

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

a. ASV: So that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: So that, on the contrary, it is rather for you to forgive and to comfort, lest by over abundant sorrow such a one may be swallowed up; [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: So [instead of further rebuke, now] you should rather turn and [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage [him], to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow and despair. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: So that from henceforth you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one will be overcome with overmuch grief. [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

e. NLT: Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

1. “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him…”

a. So [Strong: 5620 hṓste, hoce'-teh; from G5613 and G5037; so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow):—(insomuch) as, so that (then), (insomuch) that, therefore, to, wherefore.]

b. [that] contrariwise [Strong: 5121 tounantíon, too-nan-tee'-on; contraction for the neuter of G3588 and G1726; on the contrary:—contrariwise.]

c. ye [ought] [Strong: 5209 humas, hoo-mas'; accusative case of G5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):—ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]

d. rather [Strong: 3123 mâllon, mal'-lon; neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:—+ better, × far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.]

e. [to] forgive [him] [Strong: 5483 charízomai, khar-id'-zom-ahee; middle voice from G5485; to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue:—deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant.]

f. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

g. comfort [him] [Strong: 3870 parakaléō, par-ak-al-eh'-o; from G3844 and G2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):—beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.]

2. “...lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”

a. [lest] perhaps [Strong: 3381 mḗpōs, may'-pos; from G3361 and G4458; lest somehow:—lest (by any means, by some means, haply, perhaps).]

b. [Strong: 3588. [ho] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ho] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

c. [such a one [Strong: 5108 toioûtos, toy-oo'-tos; (including the other inflections); from G5104 and G3778; truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality):—like, such (an one).]

d. [should be] swallowed [up] [Strong: 2666 katapínō, kat-ap-ee'-no; from G2596 and G4095; to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):—devour, drown, swallow (up).]

e. [Strong: 3588. [tē] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tē] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

f. [with] overmuch [Strong: 4053 perissós, per-is-sos'; from G4012 (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with G1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence:—exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement(-ly).]

g. sorrow [Strong: 3077 lýpē, loo'-pay; apparently a primary word; sadness:—grief, grievous, + grudgingly, heaviness, sorrow.]

1). An interesting element in all of this is the fornicator (1 Corinthians 10:8; Numbers 25:1, 9), and the idolater were punishable by death under the old covenant (Deuteronomy 17:2-5), as was the individual who was sleeping with his step mother (Leviticus 20:11). Yet under the New Covenant there is no death penalty issued. Granted, when all the ingredients of excommunication are added up, the sum is quite terrifying, and could result in death. The individual is spared immediate death, and the prayer is while the person is experiencing all the aspects of excommunication, removal from the body, denial of fellowship and being turned over to Satan, the individual will repent and full fellowship will be reinstated, as was in the case Paul was referring to in 1 Corinthians 5. In the text Paul encourages the members of the church to forgive the guy and comfort him because he obviously repented.