2 Corinthians 2:10
What does 2 Corinthians 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 2:10 means
Paul pledges solidarity with the church’s forgiveness. Whoever they forgive, he also forgives. He emphasizes that any forgiveness he extends is for their sake and “in the presence of Christ.” This underscores two truths: the unity of church and apostle, and the ultimate authority under which forgiveness is administered. The congregation’s act is not casual—it happens before the Lord, who knows hearts and binds his people together. Paul refuses to stand apart or nurse grievances. By publicly aligning his heart with theirs, he urges a united, Christ‑honoring restoration, reminding them that reconciliation is a sacred act conducted under the gaze of the risen Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611To 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if you give forgiveness to anyone, I do the same: for if I have given forgiveness for anything, I have done it because of you, in the person of Christ;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And to whom ye forgive anything--I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven <FI>it<Fi> , because of you--in the person of Christ--<FI> I forgive it,<Fi>
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But to whom ye forgive anything, I also; for I also, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, [it is] for your sakes in [the] person of Christ;
Context
Having pressed for restoration and explained the test of obedience, Paul now aligns his own posture with the church’s. This unified front matters for healing and for spiritual protection. The next verse will make that protection explicit: the goal is to keep Satan from gaining an advantage through either unforgiveness or unchecked sin. This coherence—church and apostle forgiving together before Christ—closes the disciplinary section and prepares for the narrative shift to Paul’s travels and God’s triumph in verses 12–17.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 5:4
in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
- 2 Corinthians 5:20
We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.
- Matthew 18:18
Verily I say unto you, What things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
- John 20:23
whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
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