6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
Thoughts: Paul was seeking not to grieve the Corinthians, but to love them. So he asked the people to forgive the one that he had asked them to punish in 1 Corinthians 5. In the end, earthly punishment ideally should have the hope of restoration. Even someone who had the sin of pagan sexual immorality, could be forgiven and restored. There is no sin, except rejection of God (called the blasphemy of the Holy Spririt) that cannot be forgiven. God longs for His people to be forgiven and restored.
This is a real-life story of the Prodigal. God longs for His children to be restored to Him.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me, and help me to be forgiven. Give me grace to forgive others as you have forgiven me.
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