Corrin and I were recently watch a reality television series called "Alone" in which contestants are dropped into the wilderness miles apart with only ten survival items to get them started. They live in the wilderness until all but one persons taps out, leaving the last man standing as the grand prize winner. You would think that the contestants would all be survival enthusiasts, and while many of them are, some are just seeking the solitude as a way with resolving issues in their life (by the way, this doesn't work). One guy had an expression that he used over and over that made you smile because it was nearly alliteration. He would say "I'm here to deal with my painful past and hurtful history."
In 2 Corinthians 2, we find that Paul, in a very real sense, has a "painful past and hurtful history" with the believers at Corinth. This was the church he had lovingly founded and spent 18 months caring for (Acts 18). He prayed over them, he wept over them. He sent letter after letter, encouraging, exhorting and rebuking them to turn from worldly and carnal patterns of living. In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul mentions a "painful visit" he had made to these believers. It would seem that upon his arrival he found there to some rejection of his teaching, and, it would seem, there was a ringleader of this mutiny. Paul left in sorrow, and wrote the Corinthians a stern letter that they must discipline this rebellious man for the health of the church, which they did. (2 Cor. 2:1-11)
That seems like it should be the end of the story, right? After all, Paul's accuser has been dealt with, the church has been protected, and now Paul and the Corinthians can enjoy one another once again. And yet in chapter 2 of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to encourage the church to now forgive this man. Forgiveness? That is shocking considering what Paul and this church have been through! There are several reasons for this, but here are two big ones from the text.
1. Paul is concerned for the spiritual health of the man who was disciplined.
Paul's object in having the church discipline the rebellious sinner was not vengeance. He was not exercising his ego by crushing someone who opposed him.
Instead, Paul recognized the sinner's action threatened the spiritual health of the church, and was therefore a sin against the body. (v. 5) The church obediently disciplined the man, who, it would seem, repented of his sin. Now Paul is concerned with rescuing the soul of this man, who could easily become so overwhelmed with sorrow for his sin that he might be lost to the church. (v. 7-8) The waves of shame and guilt are threatening to drown this man, to wash over him, and so Paul beseeches the church to throw this man a lifeline in the form of forgiveness. Notice that while he had reason to "hold a grudge" from the world's perspective, Paul's christian love for this man compelled compelled him to urge for forgiveness. Question: Do we consider the spiritual ramifications of holding a grudge/seeking vengeance of those who have harmed us? How do we show the love of Christ to others through sacrificial forgiveness?
2. Paul is concerned for unity in the body of Christ.
Paul concludes his request that the church forgive this sinner with this statement: "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (v. 11) What are the devices or aims of Satan in regard to the church? Presumably they are the opposite Christ's aims for His church. In John 17, Christ prays for the unity of all who will believe in Him. This unity in a divided and hate-filled world is a unique and distinguishing mark for the people of God. It would be to the great delight of Satan if he could plant the seeds of discord and strife among the church. The Corinthians have taken the first step against that--disciplining the one whose doctrine threatened to destroy their unity. Now they must take the final step--forgiving and restoring to fellowship the repentant sinner. Question: In what ways is your refusal to forgive a brother/sister in Christ affecting the unity of the body?