5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 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.9Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:5-11)
Thoughts: Paul is referring here to someone who sinned and he asked to discipline him. But now he says there is forgiveness for them, and the need to reaffirm love. Paul knew God's grace. He knew that though he had thrown Christians in jail and assisted in the stoning of Stephen he had been forgiven. Those who have forgiven much can forgive much.
Prayer: Lord, help me to forgive those in my life that have hurt me.
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