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,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 10. I also. The apostle here granted an indulgence, or pardon, in the person, and by the authority of Christ, to the incestuous Corinthian, whom before he had put under penance: which pardon consisted in a releasing of part of the temporal punishment due to his sin. Challoner.—Now as you have pardoned him by my instructions, and have received him again into your communion, I also pardon [2] him, and confirm what you have done, for your sake, as well as for his, and dispense with any further severities of a longer penance, which he deserved. Saint John Chrysostom And I do this in the person of Christ, by that power and authority derived from Christ, which he left to his apostles, when he said, (Matthew 18:18) whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed in heaven, and so forth not only in the sight of men, says Saint John Chrysostom but in the sight of God, who hath given us this power. Witham.