Such a one: while Paul clearly has a definite person in mind (Good News Translation “this person”), the Greek word means “For the kind of person [who would do this sort of thing].”

This punishment: the word this indicates that Paul is referring to a specific punishment known to him and to the Corinthians. Possibly the punishment was that of excommunication from the fellowship. Though nearly all translations say punishment, this word is perhaps too strong. Probably it does not indicate physical punishment, but discipline in a more general sense. The Greek word may mean “reproach” or “rebuke” (so Barrett: “this reproof”). Moffatt has a similar rendering, with “this censure.” If possible, translators should choose a word that is sufficiently general to cover various kinds of discipline. Another possible approach is to make a verb phrase of this noun, as in Translator’s New Testament, which translates the whole verse “It is enough in this case that the majority have condemned him.”

By the majority refers to the majority of the Christian community in Corinth (Martin: “by the majority [of church members]”). “By most of you” (Good News Translation) perhaps gives the impression that individuals at different times and in different ways punished the offender. Probably the punishment or reproof was carried out through a democratic procedure in a church meeting. Hence Revised English Bible translates “The penalty on which the general meeting has agreed has met the offence well enough.”

Enough: though most translations understand this word in terms of the severity of the punishment, enough may refer to the duration of the punishment. Indeed, verse 7 suggests that the punishment should no longer continue. If the latter interpretation is followed, the meaning is “this punishment by the majority has continued long enough” (so Nueva Biblia Española).

Some languages will require the restructuring of this verse along the following lines: “Most of you have already agreed on the way this person should be disciplined, and that should be sufficient” or “The punishment which most of you decided for that person will be enough for him.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .