2 Corinthians 2:5-11 – Foundations of Forgiveness
As Paul deals with the Corinthians, the foundations for forgiveness come through loud and clear. The first foundation for the restoration of those who repent is that Jesus Christ has forgiven you. Paul begins his letter confessing his own trials and his own weaknesses. We see in Paul a humility, a boldness but a humility, to confront the Corinthians from a standpoint at the foot of the cross. Paul has reminded them over and over again that they are the recipients of grace. The theological foundation for the practice of forgiving others is that you yourself have been forgiven.
That leads to a second foundation for forgiveness. Paul says that such a person should be forgiven so that they not be overcome by excessive sorrow. It’s an age-old question that all throughout time men have wrestled with. It’s a question of forgiveness of sins. What must I do to be saved? What must I do to be relieved of the burden of sin that’s on my back? Paul goes on to tell them as a congregation, as those appointed by God to bear the truth of Christ and the forgiveness of sins, to address that need in this man’s life. As he has repented, to forgive and to comfort Him, letting Him know that there is forgiveness of sin and assurance of that fact. It comes through the fellowship of the church. It comes through the church coming alongside Him and reminding Him of the struggles that we all face. It comes through the sacraments in which there is a proclamation of the grace of Jesus Christ that we take tangibly. And by faith, we are reminded of the forgiveness of our sins.
The third foundation for forgiveness that Paul brings in here comes through as part of the aim of correction. Part of that aim is that forgiveness and restoration should take place. Beware of the temptation to stop short, to think of the story being ended just with the discipline that is exercised. Instead, see the aim of correction. One of those great aims is being the restoration of the sinner.
The final foundation for forgiveness is something of a defensive move. Paul says that you should do this because Satan will exploit it if you don’t. You could see how Satan, the enemy, would come in as the accuser and cause the individual to despair of God’s forgiveness. But in verse 11, Paul says that Satan will use this against the church as well. The failure to forgive is a weakness in the walls of the church, and Satan can exploit it to do harm to the Christian church and to his kingdom.
Question
- What are foundations for forgiveness?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the forgiveness we have in Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.