Forgiveness for the sinner.
Greetings to all of you.
In seven verses (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) Paul reminds us how we should deal with sin in the lives of other Christians.
For most of you, this is nothing new.
Most of you already know this, you just need to remember to put all of this into practice.
All too often we choose to ignore sin in the Church.
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (NLT)
Forgiveness for the Sinner
5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (NLT)Forgiveness for the Sinner
5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me.
Paul was hurt, and Paul states that the trouble hurt the Corinthians more than it hurt him.
The man who caused all the trouble hurt you, the church.
Scripture does not tell us who this man was or exactly what he did to cause trouble in the church.
The man had sinned and the hurt was real.
- The hurt and destruction caused by sin is real and is often far-reaching.
Isaiah 24:5-6 (NLT)
5 The earth suffers for the sins of its people,
for they have twisted God’s instructions,
violated his laws,
and broken his everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore, a curse consumes the earth.
Its people must pay the price for their sin.
They are destroyed by fire,
and only a few are left alive.
6 Most of you opposed him,
- Sin should not go unaddressed.
Sin is serious.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)
For the wages of sin is death,
to their credit, it appears that many in the Corinthian Church did recognize the seriousness of sin.
To their credit, it also appears that the Corinthian church did address this man’s sin.
and that was punishment enough.
The Greek word for punishment as it is used here denotes “an official action by the church against this individual”.
1 Timothy 5:20 (NLT)
Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.
Most likely exclusion from the fellowship.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 (NLT)
Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.
Paul credits the Corinthians for doing what they needed to do.
- There are times when punishment is necessary.
You know this but:
Remember the reason for punishing sinful behaviors.
The goal is remorse (genuine sorrow), repentance, and restoration of relationships.
Galatians 6:1 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
- Punishment should be designed to help the person who sinned back onto the right path.
- remorse (genuine sorrow),
- repentance,
- reconciliation (restoration of relationships).
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT)
18 … God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.
Apparently the man who had caused so much trouble in Corinth did express genuine sorrow and repentance.
Punishment for sin is necessary, but after repentance by the sinner, forgiveness and comfort are necessary.
Remember the goal:
Remorse (genuine sorrow), repentance, reconciliation, and restored fellowship.
Paul calls for two actions.
Forgive
Luke 17:3 (NLT)
3 So watch yourselves!
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.
Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Comfort
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
- Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
People will sin. Your children will sin. Your students will sin. Your spouse will sin.
8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
- Reaffirm your love to the person who hurt you.
9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions.
The Corinthian Church could demonstrate their commitment to Paul by their obedience to his directives.
10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
Forgiving others is a Biblical mandate.
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Three things Satan did not want to see in the Corinthian church:
Three things Satan does not want to see in general:
Remorse (Genuine sorrow),
Repentance,
Reconciliation (Restored fellowship).
- The hurt and destruction caused by sin is real and is often far-reaching.
- Sin should not go unaddressed.
- There are times when punishment is necessary.
- Punishment should be designed to help the person who sinned back onto the right path.
- remorse (genuine sorrow),
- repentance,
- reconciliation (restoration of relationships).
- Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
- Reaffirm your love to the person who hurt you.
