Discovery: I reread Desmond Tutu's book "No Future Without Forgiveness" in preparation for this week's message. I was a sophomore in college when the first general elections were held in South Africa in 1994. I was oblivious to the historic nature of that event at the time and it was only years later did I realize and understand the full significance of the fall of apartheid in South Africa. It was (and is) only by the power of forgiveness that a people so deeply divided by race and color could stand any chance of having a future together. This is the backdrop of today's passage.
Paul acknowledges that there is a measure of grief in regards to his relationship with the church in Corinth. Apparently there was a particular brother who was the main culprit behind the questions about Paul's character and commitment regarding this second visit to Corinth (vv.5-8). However, Paul makes it clear that he isn't upset at this individual. In fact he states in v. 10 that he has already forgiven him. Paul is now upset at the church with their actions and attitudes toward this brother. Church discipline had simply been punitive and not restorative.
Application: When it comes to conflict, there is a spectrum in which we all fall into. For some, we avoid conflict and shy away from any sort of confrontation. This is especially true when we see people do things that we don't agree with. It is extremely hard being the "first responders" to speak up and call out sin, evil, and other misdeeds. For others, conflict is something that people are quite comfortable with. When they see injustice (real or perceived), there is no hesitation in calling it out and directly challenging it. Most of us fall somewhere in between and have a mix of both.
What is interesting about the Corinthian church's response to this particular brother was that they initially didn't do anything to stop him from slandering Paul. The only reason why they confronted him was because Paul set a letter challenging this rumor that was spreading about the integrity of his word (v. 9). But afterwards, the church continued in their "discipline" of this poor brother until Paul wrote again in 2 Corinthians 2 telling them to stop this behavior. It had became really easy for the members of the church to simply "pile on" once the ball got rolling.
I am afraid that I tend to be like these people in the Corinthian church. It is really hard being the "first responder" and calling out things that are clearly wrong. I am sure that I would have received a letter or two from Paul as well identifying my own shortcoming. However once the issue is out in the open, I can also imagine myself being a part of the crowd that is "piling on" and calling for more discipline and correction. Paul reminds us that church discipline is for the restoration of a fallen brother and not a place for personal or corporate vengeance.
Paul ends this section by warning us against Satan's schemes. v. 11: "In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." Spiritual warfare has many battlegrounds. Interpersonal relationships just happens to be a common one and arguably one of the most devastating.
Prayer: Help me be mindful of my actions. Let me be aware of the spiritual battles that happen in everyday relationships with people and help me not be caught off guard and ensnared by the schemes of the Enemy.
“If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you.”
