Forgiveness in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Forgiveness is one of the greatest challenges in the Christian life. When someone deeply wounds us, our natural response is resentment, not mercy. Yet, God calls us to forgive. In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul reminds us that forgiveness is not just about the offender but about our walk with Jesus.
2 Corinthians 2:5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree to all of you.
Some suggest this is the Christian who had an affair with his stepmother in 1 Corinthians 5. Doubtful. It’s more likely the man who led the rebellion against Paul and caused much pain and division. The church in Corinth rightly disciplined him. But having repented, Paul says it’s time to forgive and welcome him back.
2 Corinthians 2:6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him; otherwise, such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
This person’s actions hurt Paul and many others in the church. The church confronted him and likely asked him to leave for a while (see Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5).
Yet the purpose of discipline isn’t to punish anyone or exact revenge. Discipline is to protect the church and help a born-again believer turn away from sin, restore his joy in Christ, and protect him from losing eternal rewards.
Church discipline worked. It humbled and freed this guy. He repented. Now, the church needs to repent and reaffirm their love for this believer. The Christian response to repentance must always be forgiveness.
The Christlike response to repentance is always forgiveness.
Whether in a church, marriage, or friendship, here’s the biblical conversation we see played out: “You hurt me really bad and I turned to the Lord and received His comfort and strength and I forgave you. You did not repent. You continued. So, I took further action and put up additional boundaries. I needed to protect the church (family) and let you suffer the consequences a bit. But, you have come to repent. You see your sin! You trust God with it, and He’s working in your heart. That’s awesome. Now, I need to trust God and take that next step.”
Dear reader, you may not trust them yet, but you don’t have to. Forgiveness releases bitterness, but trust may take time to rebuild. Their repentance and subsequent actions will play a big role in this. But God makes His desire known, and it’s in their best interest and yours (future joy) to forgive them.
You may not trust them yet, but you don’t have to. Forgiveness releases bitterness, but trust may take time to rebuild. Their repentance and subsequent actions will play a big role in this.
That’s hard to swallow. It feels humanly impossible to forgive when we’re hurt or deeply offended. It’s far easier to focus on the offense and create a monster out of them. Yet God calls us to forgive them—not just the act but the person behind it. The person Jesus loves. The person we love, even though it’s hard to convince ourselves of our love for them when we’re hurting.
It’s far easier to focus on the offense and create a monster out of them. Yet God calls us to forgive them—not just the act but the person behind it. The person Jesus loves. The person we love, even though it’s hard to convince ourselves of our love for them when we’re hurting.
Forgiveness is one of our hardest tests, yet one of the most beautiful and powerful gifts we can give someone. Yet, because it’s a gift, we hesitate to forgive others. “A gift?! She needs to pay for how I feel. I won’t let him off the hook that easily.” But this talk, honestly, is the opposite of love: withholding forgiveness from your parent, spouse, or friend risks pushing some into despair. “Otherwise, such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:8)
Forgiveness does not say, “What you did doesn’t matter.” What they did matters greatly, but our joy in following Jesus Christ matters more.
So how do we do it? Well, don’t rely on your feelings unless you are truly abiding in Christ and set free from bitterness. Instead, look to God. Forgiveness is a gift from God—an act of love modeled by Christ, experienced by faith, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Forgiveness is a gift from God—an act of love modeled by Christ, experienced by faith, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
When we struggle to forgive, reflecting on God’s sacrificial, restorative love for us on the cross can soften our hearts.
We must also believe Jesus forgiving them is His will, and that it’s the best thing to do. When we trust Jesus that forgiving is in our best interest, we can even find joy in forgiving someone.
The world can think what it wants, but trusting and following Jesus blesses people and is the best way to live with joy. The world would have us respond to any offense with hatred and revenge; God offers forgiveness that leads to restoration and joy. This is good news. Jesus makes the way for even the worst offenders to be set free.
God offers forgiveness that leads to restoration and joy. This is good news. Jesus makes the way for even the worst offenders to be set free.
Whatever they did, if they repent, if God is working in their hearts—“I urge you to reaffirm your love for him” (8). Your child, spouse, an old friend. Reaffirm your love for them; they need it; it’s life-changing. Welcome her back. Throw a party for him. Share in the joy of Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test whether you are obedient in all things.
Paul urges the Corinthians to affirm our love and forgive in obedience to the God who loves and forgives us. This isn’t a simple thing we can easily do. But go through some prayerful and spiritual reflection (forgive as you have been forgiven, pray for those who mistreat you.). Allow God to work in your heart and realign your desires and choices with His own.
It’s ultimately about choosing to abide with Jesus, bearing fruit (love), and finding joy again.
Paul tells us in verse 10 that he’s not holding anything against this person: “If you forgive him, I do too, and it’s all under Christ’s authority.” Notice: “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we’re not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
What’s the danger of unforgiveness? It gives opportunity to sour our joy and create division, discouragement, and destruction. Here are a few of his schemes. Through lies and deception:
1) Satan wants to keep us trapped in resentment rather than walk in freedom.
2) Satan wants to divide the church and weaken our witness. He divides marriages and families, too.
3) Satan wants to convince us that some sins shouldn’t be forgiven—but Jesus’ blood says otherwise.
And all of this leads to misery and destroys joy.
Forgiveness is not about excusing sin or pretending the hurt didn’t happen. It’s about trusting Jesus enough to let go of bitterness and walk in His love. When we choose to forgive, we experience the freedom, unity, and joy from obedience to Christ. Who do you need to reaffirm your love for today? Trust Jesus, forgive, and find joy in Him.