2 Corinthians 2:1-13
2 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.2 For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. 3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
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.
12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.
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Two things about forgiveness: 1.) There’s a time to forgive and comfort the offender. Obviously that time means there has been the godly sorrow on the part of the offender. 2.) If we withhold forgiveness, we are giving a foothold to Satan. One of his “evil schemes” is to get us to hold a grudge. By forgiving we outsmart the enemy! This is fresh for me. For all I’ve studied and written about forgiveness, I never saw this point.
This is an example of the Proverb that warns us not to “wink at wrong.” (Proverbs 10:10) Paul‘s bold reproof of the Corinthians was done to promote forgiveness and peace.