2 Corinthians 2:5-8 (WEL) But if anyone has caused sorrow, he hasn’t made me sad, but all of you to some extent (I don’t want to overly burden you). 6 This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a man. 7 So that now you should forgive and comfort instead, lest this one would be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Therefore, I plead with you to reaffirm your love for him.
V5 But if anyone has caused sorrow, he hasn’t made me sad, but all of you to some extent (I don’t want to overly burden you).
(Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible) “Even sorrow for sin should not be unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not only was there danger that Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but against the churches and the ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes.”
V6 This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a man.
This is church discipline, which is something sorely missing in churches today. The punishment fits the sin. The punishment had its intended effect—repentance (attitude and action). The incestuous couple separated permanently.
As in the Old Testament, intentional sin demanded a punishment, while unintentional sin required a sacrifice plus prayer. The New Testament is the same. Since the sacrifices of our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, we now pray for forgiveness (Matthew 6:12, 1 John 1:9, and 2 Samuel 12:13).
V7 So that now you should forgive and comfort instead, lest this one would be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
After discipline, we accept. We do not remind them of their sin, like some pastors do.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (EHV) It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. See Isaiah 43:25.
If reminded, then they become depressed and might even desert their faith in Jesus Christ. God forgave us, thus we must also forgive. Matthew 6:12 (NLT) and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
V8 Therefore, I plead with you to reaffirm your love for him.
Justification is a judicial decree to declare righteous. If God forgives and restores, so must we. See Romans 5:16-18.
When we show love, we show reconciliation. When we show love, we show our blessings and prayers for the forgiven person.
Romans 5:16 (EHV) And the gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin, for the judgment that followed the one trespass resulted in a verdict of condemnation, but the gracious gift that followed many trespasses resulted in a verdict of justification.
We learn:
- As God has forgiven us, so we must forgive others.
- Forgiveness is not just a word; it must be seen in actions, too.
Questions:
- Has God forgiven your sins?
- Have you forgiven those who sinned against you?