“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”
Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow — Paul's pastoral wisdom shifts toward restoration. The very mechanism that inflicted sorrow—communal judgment—must now be reversed. Excessive sorrow (yperballousa lypē) can lead to despair; grace must follow discipline.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 2:7
“So that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow.” He bids them not only take off the censure; but, besides, restores him to his former estate; for if one let go him that has been scourged and heal him not, he has done nothing. And see how him too he keeps down lest he should be rendered worse by the forgiveness. For though he had both confessed and repented, he makes it manifest…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!