2 Corinthians 2:5-11

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

And if someone has caused sadness, he has not caused me sadness, but rather you all in part – in order that I should not burden anyone.  The punishment by the majority is sufficient to one such as this, therefore to him instead you all are to show forgiveness and to encourage, lest somehow a person such as this should be overcome with abundant grief.  Therefore I appeal to you all to make love real into him.  For into this I also wrote, in order that I should know a testing of your genuineness if you all are into every obedience.  And the one to whom you all show forgiveness, I also show forgiveness.  For what I have also forgiven – if I have forgiven anything – it is for your sake in the presence of Christ in order that we should not be taken advantage of by Satan.  For we are not ignorant of his thinking.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

As we look at these verses, we need a little historical context.  First, we can get a sense from these verses that there was a person who has been particularly injurious to Paul.  However, notice what Paul does.  Paul realizes that the church in Corinth has come together and disciplined him.  And that is enough for Paul.  Paul asks that it be enough.  There is no need to continue to discipline the man.  Paul says enough is enough.  It is better for grace and love to come out than to force the continued humiliation of the man.

How does this show the love that Paul has for people?  How does this show the love of Christ through his words?

Second Thought:

In fact, Paul actually turns this situation into a check against the mass.  You see, it is important that people who do something wrong be chastised.  But it is way too easy for the masses to jump on the bandwagon and take the chastisement to a level that is all wrong.  Chastisement is one thing; piling on the bandwagon needs to be avoided.  Thus, Paul turns it into an opportunity to examine the congregation, not the man who has done something wrong.  The true test of a collective of people is not to pile on when they are right but to show grace and mercy in the face of true repentance.  After all, what Christian – or group of Christians – should ever get any pleasure out of bringing someone else to despair?

Why is it easy for large groups to show a lack of mercy and pile on to someone who is repentant?  Why are situations like this a true test of character for a larger group?

Third Thought:

This second point leads us to the last few words in this section.  Paul says that we are aware of Satan’s tactics.  Satan targets Christians who have sinned in order to convince them that they aren’t worthy.  Satan loves to drive individual Christians to despair.  However, Satan also loves to drive large groups of people into a mob mentality where the love of Christ is far from the realm of possibility.  We need to be aware of both of these tactics and realize from where they come.  When people are lead into despair, it is not from God.  When large groups of people gorge themselves on wrath rather than repentance, it is not from God either.

Why do you think Satan loves to use despair in individuals?  Is it easy to convince us of our own sinfulness?  Why do you think Satan likes to motivate large groups of people into mob mentality?  Is it easy to do this, too?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17