![]() ![]() It is with this urgent need to comfort the man that we are reminded of the cycle of comfort back in chapter one. I take the phrase “forgive and comfort him” as “forgive and thus comfort him.” That’s the only way he will be comforted: if he finds forgiveness from his Corinthian brothers. Notice also that the comfort given the man will be in the form of forgiveness. Paul fears that this repentant man will be overtaken, swallowed, consumed, devoured, never to be restored again, if the Corinthians fail to do their God-given duty and privilege: reaffirm their love for him, comfort him by forgiving him. ![]() The word directs us to the powerful and complete consumption of an object. 5:4), and death being swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. It can also be used positively, as in the mortal being swallowed up in life (2 Cor. 5:8), and John uses it to speak of the earth swallowing up the dangerous river poured out by the dragon (Rev. Peter uses it to speak of the devouring Devil (1 Pet. In Hebrews 11:29, for instance, it’s used to speak of the Egyptians being drowned. In fact, this emotional excess works well with the word “overwhelmed.” The word in Greek usually has a negative connotation. It’s that overflow of emotion that Paul fears this man will experience, but for him it will be sorrow, unless the Corinthians forgive and comfort him. ![]() The word “excessive” is the same word used in verse 4 translated “abundant,” in reference to Paul’s excessive, overflowing love that he has for the Corinthians. Quit it with all this withholding of forgiveness and love. ![]() You could see the evidence through his sorrow over his sin and how he grieved you and me. He’s saying, “Look, Corinthians, the man was repentant. That’s why Paul is calling for forgiveness. But excessive sorrow…well, that’s too much. Indeed, that’s the only kind of sorrow over our sin we should have (2 Cor. Paul is perfectly content with people experiencing sorrow, as long as the sorrow is accompanied by repentance. But what I’m hinging my point on is found at the end of verse 7: “or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” I’m focusing on the words “excessive sorrow.” Paul doesn’t want this man to be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Granting forgiveness is a debt-cancellation, and this cancellation requires acknowledgement of the debt and a desire to be released from that debt. For one, I don’t think Paul would command forgiveness when there’s not been confession of sin and repentance. You might be wondering why I’ve called this man a “repentant sinner,” especially since the word “repentant” is nowhere in this passage. It was hard for the Corinthians to release the man of his sin-debt, and that’s why Paul had to put them to the test: “To forgive or not to forgive?” was the question. They had punished him for his sin, and the man was in danger of excessive sorrow. Whatever he had done, it was difficult for the Corinthians to let the matter go. Whoever he was, he did a number on the people in Corinth. For that reason, Paul says that he has forgiven the man (2:10). We’re not really sure, but he did sin against Paul. 12:21-3:1) or continued temple worship (cf. But I won’t be dogmatic at this point.) He may have been involved in some sexual deviations (2 Cor. It would also be a wonderful testimony of the reconciling power of the gospel. (That is a serious problem in 1 Corinthians, and it’s the only estranged man in Corinth in need of reconciliation of whom we’d be canonically aware. I (contrary to the modern commentator) tend to think that Paul is referring to the incestuous man who had his father’s wife in 1 Corinthians 5. The only person who isn’t aggrieved in this passage would be Satan, who’d be everlastingly elated at the Corinthians’ denial of forgiveness from the brother who sinned against Paul and them. There’s grief all around: grief for Paul, grief for the Corinthians, and grief for the repentant sinner. Paul continues his theme of grief/pain in this next section of chapter two. It’s not only Satanic to withhold forgiveness from a repentant sinner, but it’s also a cause for much grief. But did you know that if you don’t forgive your repentant brother, you’re on Satan’s team? That’s a bit terrifying, isn’t it? It ought to be rather sobering and convicting for the Christian. Who’s your cheerleader: Paul or Satan? I suppose you’d profess the former. ![]()
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