Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 2
Paul did not write the Book of 1 Corinthians in order to hurt anyone. However, someone had hurt the Christians in Corinth. That is, this person had upset them very much.
Probably, Paul was referring to the church member at Corinth who was having sex with his father’s wife*. In 1 Corinthians, Paul expressed his shock that the church had done nothing to deal with this man’s evil behaviour.
Then, Paul had told them to be strict, and to hand this man over in prayer. When the devil acted against the man, perhaps the man would return to God*.
That advice was a shock for the Christians in Corinth; they felt very sad about this matter. However, they followed the advice. The result was what Paul had hoped. The man became humble and he stopped his wrong sex acts. He felt deeply sad about what he had done. He decided that he would serve God properly again.
The man wanted to return to the church; but its members were unsure whether they should accept him. Paul told them that they should. The time had come for them to forgive him. They should allow him to join the church again, and they should act in love towards him*.
Later in 2 Corinthians, Paul returns to the same subject*. There, he explains that it is sometimes right to be deeply sad. It is right when God intends it. God can use it to help people to return to him, so that he can save them. However, when the process is complete, the person should not remain sad. When God has forgiven someone, God’s people should accept that person in love.
Next part: The test for Corinth’s Christians (2:9)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.