Today's passage: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Helpful thoughts:
- This passage could refer to the man who was to be disciplined by the church in 1 Corinthians 5, or it could have been someone else (Possibly one who sought to lead people against the teaching/leadership Paul had given). Either way, the application is the same.
- The sin of this person had a negative effect on all the church. We can decide whether or not to sin, we don't get to decide the consequences or how many people it impacts.
- When the man had been unrepentant, the church was right to remove him from membership (Matthew 18:17). Now that the man was humbled and repentant, restoration was appropriate.
- Repentance and restoration are always the goal of church discipline!
Questions to consider:
- Why is it right for us to forgive others (Matthew 18:33)?
- When is it right for us to forgive others (Matthew 18:15-17)?
- What should we be hoping for throughout the process of rebuking our brothers or sisters in Christ? And, how should we approach people when we confront their sin (Galatians 6:1)?