09.10.2014 New Testament: 2Co 2.6–8

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Corinthians 2 on September 10, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

In First Corinthians 5, Paul rebuked the Corinthian Church for not exercising church discipline with one of its members. After they received his letter, they did what he said to do, but then they went too far, because the brother repented, and still they would not receive him back. Thus, Paul wrote,

This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him (2 Corinthians 2.6–8).

Punishing impenitent church members is not for destroying that person, but for bringing them back to the life Christ authorizes, and when that happens, we have to be quick to reaffirm our love toward that individual, otherwise, sorrow for what he has done may destroy him.