II Corinthians 2:5-11: "Forgiveness"
After explaining to the Corinthians that he did not come to them the first time because he did not want to cause more sorrow than he already felt. His harsh correction of the Corinthians in the 'severe letter' had caused much sorrow for Paul and the Corinthians and he wanted to give them time to correct their errors. In this section, Paul wanted to make sure that he stressed forgiveness. If anyone had a right to be bitter and angry, it was Paul for the way he was apparently mistreated by an individual from the Corinthian congregation. We do not know the specifics of the incident, but we do know Paul was clearly wronged by a member of their church. In response to this individual Paul writes, "But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree - in order not to say too much- to all of you". Here Paul swallows his pride and downplays the incident. Although what the person did was apparently sever enough for excommunication, Paul did not want to harbor feelings against this person or have the congregation have bitter feelings as well. He wanted to explain that the persons actions hurt their congregation more than it hurt Paul. He is telling them not to worry about his sorrow, but think about how his actions affected the church. He also made sure not to "say too much", because it was not important to continue to harbor on this incident, but rather to move on from it. In no way did Paul seek vengeance or continue to fan the flames of this to get others to empathize with him. This is a reminder of what Joseph did to his brothers. This is also a reminder of what the rich king did to excuse the man who owed him a large sum of money, it should ultimately remind us of all that Christ has forgiven us of.
Paul, speaking specifically of this situation, shows that he harbors no hard feelings, and is more concerned about the individual than carrying out some sort of retaliation. Paul writes, "sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority". In other words, Paul is saying that the punishment which was rightly pronounced on this man (excommunication) was sufficient and had served its purpose of bringing this individual to repentance. MacArthur writes, "The Corinthian congregation had officially acted an put the sinning individual out of the church. Apparently that discipline had had its desired effect, and the man had repented". Now Paul's main thought was to get this man back into fellowship and restore him. Paul's great testimony of forgiveness should give us insight into how we are to respond when someone wrongs us. In Galatians 6:1, Paul writes, "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted". We must always remember that the sins others commit, we are completely capable of doing as well. For that case we should always be quick to forgive and restore a brother to the fellowship when they repent.
Paul continues, "so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow". When someone commits a heinous sin such as this and is unrepentant after being confronted it is the church's duty to no longer allow this man to come in contact with the church. However, when someone repents the church's duty is then to restore them and forgive them. We only make matters worse when we do not forgive one who has sinned by causing more sorrow. When someone is repentant they will feel horrible for what they have done, we should not compound the issue, by continuing to heap punishment on them by not forgiving them or allowing them back into the fellowship they so desperately need at such a time. MacArthur writes, "His pain had brought him to repentance, and now it was time to restore his joy. The church cannot set arbitrary limits on grace and mercy; it cannot reject a truly penitent individual, no matter how serious the sin was". We must constantly comfort others who have repented, just as Christ has comforted us when we have repented to him. Paul reinforces this to tell them, "wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him". Paul desired restoration, comfort, love and forgiveness rather than division, anger and retribution. Paul clearly showed his love for his congregation by putting his personal feelings aside and reaffirming their love for him. MacArthur responds, "The Corinthians had officially and publicly disciplined the offender (v.6). Now they needed to conclude the matter by publicly and lovingly restoring him to the fellowship. By doing so they would display their collective as well as individual affection for him". If we remember all that Christ has forgiven of us, it should be easy, no matter the sin, to forgive our brothers and love them.
Paul continues, "For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things". The Corinthians had originally been obedient to Paul by excommunicating this man from the church. Sometimes this is a very hard thing to do (as evidenced by most churches today) but it is a necessary thing commanded in the scriptures (Matt. 18). The Corinthians had passed that test and were obedient to Paul's wishes. He now desired to see if they could continue in their obedience to him and ultimately to the Lord by forgiving this man and restoring him into the fellowship. Paul explains that he had forgiven this man and the congregation must do it too. "But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ". To this MacArthur writes, "Paul's agreement with the majority's decision to forgive the offender demonstrated his humility. He did not agree with the 'Paul party' who wanted the individual to suffer more. Indeed, Paul had already forgiven him if, he added, I have forgiven anything. Once again, the apostle downplayed the offense against him. His primary concern was for the fellowship to be restored and for there to be unity in the Corinthian church". Paul explains his purpose in all this, knowing that Christ witnessed all that has gone on, including every word and thought, Paul did this for the Corinthians' sake. Paul wanted to be the godly example of forgiveness that he knew he must be to the church in order to maintain godly unity. He also did it so "that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes" We must always be aware of what Satan would want to come out of each circumstance and fight against it. Originally, it would have been Satan's desire to have the sinning member remain in the church and they would ignore it as he continued to cause dissension. However, once the Corinthians excommunicated this person, it would be his desire for the church to continue to want to punish him and show him no love or forgiveness as they would heap guilt and sorrow upon a repentant man. We must never allow Satan to get a foothold in the church and there is usually no better way than harboring ill-will against others.
Paul, speaking specifically of this situation, shows that he harbors no hard feelings, and is more concerned about the individual than carrying out some sort of retaliation. Paul writes, "sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority". In other words, Paul is saying that the punishment which was rightly pronounced on this man (excommunication) was sufficient and had served its purpose of bringing this individual to repentance. MacArthur writes, "The Corinthian congregation had officially acted an put the sinning individual out of the church. Apparently that discipline had had its desired effect, and the man had repented". Now Paul's main thought was to get this man back into fellowship and restore him. Paul's great testimony of forgiveness should give us insight into how we are to respond when someone wrongs us. In Galatians 6:1, Paul writes, "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted". We must always remember that the sins others commit, we are completely capable of doing as well. For that case we should always be quick to forgive and restore a brother to the fellowship when they repent.
Paul continues, "so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow". When someone commits a heinous sin such as this and is unrepentant after being confronted it is the church's duty to no longer allow this man to come in contact with the church. However, when someone repents the church's duty is then to restore them and forgive them. We only make matters worse when we do not forgive one who has sinned by causing more sorrow. When someone is repentant they will feel horrible for what they have done, we should not compound the issue, by continuing to heap punishment on them by not forgiving them or allowing them back into the fellowship they so desperately need at such a time. MacArthur writes, "His pain had brought him to repentance, and now it was time to restore his joy. The church cannot set arbitrary limits on grace and mercy; it cannot reject a truly penitent individual, no matter how serious the sin was". We must constantly comfort others who have repented, just as Christ has comforted us when we have repented to him. Paul reinforces this to tell them, "wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him". Paul desired restoration, comfort, love and forgiveness rather than division, anger and retribution. Paul clearly showed his love for his congregation by putting his personal feelings aside and reaffirming their love for him. MacArthur responds, "The Corinthians had officially and publicly disciplined the offender (v.6). Now they needed to conclude the matter by publicly and lovingly restoring him to the fellowship. By doing so they would display their collective as well as individual affection for him". If we remember all that Christ has forgiven of us, it should be easy, no matter the sin, to forgive our brothers and love them.
Paul continues, "For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things". The Corinthians had originally been obedient to Paul by excommunicating this man from the church. Sometimes this is a very hard thing to do (as evidenced by most churches today) but it is a necessary thing commanded in the scriptures (Matt. 18). The Corinthians had passed that test and were obedient to Paul's wishes. He now desired to see if they could continue in their obedience to him and ultimately to the Lord by forgiving this man and restoring him into the fellowship. Paul explains that he had forgiven this man and the congregation must do it too. "But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ". To this MacArthur writes, "Paul's agreement with the majority's decision to forgive the offender demonstrated his humility. He did not agree with the 'Paul party' who wanted the individual to suffer more. Indeed, Paul had already forgiven him if, he added, I have forgiven anything. Once again, the apostle downplayed the offense against him. His primary concern was for the fellowship to be restored and for there to be unity in the Corinthian church". Paul explains his purpose in all this, knowing that Christ witnessed all that has gone on, including every word and thought, Paul did this for the Corinthians' sake. Paul wanted to be the godly example of forgiveness that he knew he must be to the church in order to maintain godly unity. He also did it so "that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes" We must always be aware of what Satan would want to come out of each circumstance and fight against it. Originally, it would have been Satan's desire to have the sinning member remain in the church and they would ignore it as he continued to cause dissension. However, once the Corinthians excommunicated this person, it would be his desire for the church to continue to want to punish him and show him no love or forgiveness as they would heap guilt and sorrow upon a repentant man. We must never allow Satan to get a foothold in the church and there is usually no better way than harboring ill-will against others.
posted by amesfam | 2:56 PM
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