Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Corinthians+002
CHAPTER 2 (ESV)
5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
REFLECTION:
- The Corinthian church here has punished one of its members and Paul writes to them, encouraging them to forgive and comfort him. The point of Paul’s writing is not to focus on the punishment, but rather to encourage the congregation to care for the health of the whole community. It is important for the community to pursue forgiveness in order to prevent Satan from accomplishing his schemes against the Church.
- Do I know any believer that may need to re-enter the church community right now? If so, ask God for wisdom and love to forgive, comfort and restore this person into God’s family.
PRAYER:
- Approach the presence of God with a humble heart, and reflect on whether I have strayed from God due to sin or stumbling. If so, confess and repent before God, seeking His forgiveness and acceptance, so that I may return to the embrace of God.
- Are there brothers or sisters around me who have stumbled and fallen? If so, pray for them, that they may find the faith and courage to confess and repent. Also, pray for the church and small groups, asking God to grant everyone greater wisdom and love, to welcome them back into the house of God.
HYMN:
You Raise Me Up – www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzW4m1iMsaQ
