Repentance, Forgiveness, Embrace

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

"The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient...Now instead, you out to forgive and comfort him....I urge you therefore to reaffirm your love for him...If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him....I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes" (vs. 7a,8,10,11).

Paul continues to exhort and instruct the Corinthian believers (and the Lord, us through Paul) about how to approach, relate, and be proactive toward a brother (or sister) who has sinned (Paul is referring to the brother described in 1 Corinthians 5) in their fellowship - their local church body. Paul describes what has taken place - the church exercised discipline - "punishment" and it is clear that the man was sorrowful and repentant. Paul would not have extended forgiveness along with the church folks, if the offender had not repented. For Paul then instructs the body that it is now time to reaffirm their love for the brother, so that he doesn't become overwhelmed.

Paul is seeking to see that the body follows Christ's example - if not, when the brother was repentant, if forgiveness and love (restoration) was not extended, the brother could have then been given to despair. The last verse indicates that Satan loves to take advantage of us going off course. In this example, Satan would take a stronghold or foothold in a situation in which a believer is disciplined, repentant but not forgiven and embraced. Despair and even suicide could be the stronghold perpetuated by Satan toward the offender. Within the church body where unforgiveness dwells, where grace is not extended, and Godly love expressed (which actually is part of and to be evident through the whole process of discipline and restoration) then Satan will wreak havoc within the congregation.

Please note the order of the process. Paul was not instructing the believers to turn a blind eye to this brother's sin/offense. He was not encouraging 'cheap grace' - grace that ignores and condones sinful actions - for that is not grace or love for another at all. To ignore a destructive (sinful) action or inaction of mine, would not be showing your love for me. It would be showing a lack of love and care, in the face of me offending God, destroying myself and others around me.

No, Paul sees that the body loved this brother enough to call attention and speak the truth in love to him. They demonstrated love by carrying out church discipline (we aren't told exactly what they did, but if you recall/read 1 Corinthians, you will note Paul's instruction); the brother repented, and they then demonstrated love through embrace and forgiveness.

Please note: discipline described is toward one who confesses Jesus as Lord and is part of the Body of Christ gathered - the local church; and it is the Body of Christ that is carrying out the discipline (present day this would be guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit through the leadership of the local church).

People who do not confess Christ are not subject to the Christ or the local fellowship. Also, Paul is not speaking to the broader issue of forgiveness. We are to forgive before God, someone who personally sins against us, even if they don't repent or ask for forgiveness. This type of forgiveness is more releasing the one who has been sinned against and giving the offender to God for His intervention. this act of forgiveness is an act of our will and also a process of healing within us...an (important) topic for another day.

"Lord, thank You for how You have provided an avenue for us to restore and be restored within the Body of Christ. Than You Holy Spirit that You help us to do that which is not natural for us in our humanness. Thank You that You empower us to carry out the path of grace and mercy - of love - that is from You."