2 Corinthians 2:1-11
Q.1. About what issue had Paul written to the Corinthian church? Why had he decided not to visit them at that time? How had the church leadership responded to his plea? – (2 Cor.2:1-6)
There were numerous issues raised by the apostle in his earlier letter: division, carnality, slander, Lord’s Supper abuses, pride over spiritual gifts, and confusion about the resurrection. The need to address these abuses in the church caused him enormous grief. (2 Cor.2:4). However, the issue that demanded excommunication had to do with incest (1 Cor.5:1-13). Some factions had undermined Paul. He therefore determined to avoid fuelling further opposition that might derail the impact of the Gospel (2 Cor.1:23-2:2). Though he wrote positively about his belief in their response to his direction, he reminded them that he was motivated by love for the church (2 Cor.2:3-4). He was now able to write again because the Corinthians had followed his advice – 5 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. 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority (2 Cor.2:5-6).
Q.2. What follow-through was Paul advocating? Why? How did he express his respect for the church’s leadership? Why was it crucial that love and forgiveness should be extended to those under church discipline? – (2 Cor.2:7-11)
In his follow-up letter, Paul urged the church to receive the penitent brother back – 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him (2 Cor.2:7-8). He feared that if the church failed to restore their brother, the man may be derailed from following Christ (2 Cor.2:7). Paul had made his request to apply church discipline, in order to test the desire of the Corinthians to obey the Word of God –to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor.5:5 c.f. 2 Cor.2:9). Since they had forgiven the erring man, Paul resolved to do the same – so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes (2 Cor.2:11). Church discipline should always be applied with the goal of bringing about restoration.