You Ought to Forgive 2 Corinthians 2:7

Paul the apostle told the church members, “sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many”, and in chapter two and verse seven of Second Corinthians, Paul proclaimed to the church members, “you ought rather to forgive him”, where we read:

So that contrariwise you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him,

lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

The verse begins, “So that contrariwise you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, ...” Paul began with the word, “so” which means “insomuch that, therefore and so then” “that contrariwise” or “on the contrary” “you ought rather” which means “the church members to a greater degree, by far and sooner” “to forgive him” which means “to show themselves pleasant, agreeable, kind, benevolent and willing to pardon”, “and comfort him” which means “to call to their side by exhortation, entreaty, comfort and instruction toward the man”. Paul instructed the church members to “forgive” and “be willing to pardon” the man in the church who sinned.

The verse continues, “... lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” Paul continued with the words, “lest perhaps” which means “if haply at all or in any way” “such a one” or “of this kind or sort” “should be swallowed up” which means “drowned and devoured” “with overmuch” or “exceeding some number or measure or rank or need, abundant and supreme” “sorrow” which means “pain, grief, annoyance and affliction”. Paul knew if the church members did not “forgive and comfort” the fallen man, he might be overwhelmed with “grief, pain and affliction”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see his compassion upon this man who became sinful. In First Corinthians, Paul told the church members to cast this man who committed adultery with his father's wife out of the church. Now, Paul told them to “forgive” and “comfort” him because he might be “drowned and devoured” with “sorrow”. We should always be ready to “restore” other believers who sin when they are repentant because we are all subject to be “overwhelmed” with “sorrow” should there be no “forgiveness and comfort” by others.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “confirm your love toward him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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