Bethesda Chapel 2001
SG Bible Study #7

Pastoral Care by Church Members – Forgiveness of an offender (2 Cor 2:5-11)

Warm up songs (5 minutes)

Select songs that are related to the key words or the above theme.

Quiet Contemplation (3 minutes silence – no need to share)

Recall an incident when you have
a)    received a punishment that you deserved, or
b)    forgiven someone who has wronged you 
(for the ministry of spiritual cleansing by the Holy Spirit through confession, and thanksgiving). If there is a need to make good with someone, ask when you should do it. Thank God for His discipline and forgiveness.

Warm up exercise (6 minutes) 

a)    What do you think of corrective work order meted out on litter bugs?
b)    How do you feel what you are booked and fined for a traffic offence?

Sharing (two or three to share – 6 minutes)

Without going into details of the wrong done, describe your feelings when you were punished for an offence.

Read the selected passage 
Text: 2 Cor 2:5-11

Context – recall from SG Bible Study #5 Notes that:
    1)    2 Corinthians was written in the Fall A.D. 56, to avoid making another painful visit. It was a tearful letter (v 4)
    2)    Paul had visited Corinth twice (12:14;13:1,2) one visit was painful (2 Cor 2:1; 12:21).
    3)    There was a severe letter (2 Cor 2:4), to deal with discipline (2 Cor 2:6,9; 7:12). 
            Its effect – their remorse and indignation, Paul’s appeal for forgiveness (2 Cor 7:6-16; 2:6-8).
    4)    Not related to 1 Cor 5 as taught by many scholars (as a restoration to fellowship in 2 Cor 2:7,8). 
            Most modern writers reject this link because:
            a.    2 Cor 2:6, 9 deals primarily with the wrongdoer and the need for his punishment. This is not true of 1 Cor 5. 
           b.    Living with his father’s wife (his stepmother, 1 Cor 5) cannot be a personal offence against Paul, 
                which he has forgiven (2 Cor 2:10)
             c.    The sin in 1 Cor 5:1 was sexual immorality (porneia) not adultery. The guilty was living with his 
                    stepmother while his father (the injured party) was still living. Punishment was to be swift (1 Cor 5:2-5). 
                    If linked to 2 Cor 2, it would be adultery (moicheia), then the church would be scandalized and 
                    punishment be meted out on him to seek redress on behalf of the deceased father. But it was not a case
                    of adultery, though Paul was still concerned about sexual sins in the church at Corinth (2 Cor 12:21). 
           d.   Paul was quite clearly pointing to those who demanded proofs that Christ was speaking through him 
                (2 Cor 13:2,3).  This is an offence that can be established by witnesses (2 Cor 13:1). 

Key words and meanings
grief/pain (3x root lupeo): to cause pain, to grieve, to distress; sorrow (lupei)
punishment (epitimia): time fixed by a judge to deprive of rights and privileges of membership (From Vines’ Expository Dictionary of OT and NT Words) 
forgive (4x charizomai cf 2 Cor12:13): to show favour, to deal generously or graciously with, or forgive (different word from the common word "forgive – aphiemi" of 1 Jn 1:9).
console/encourage (2x parakaleo): speak words of encouragement, cheer up 
"prove (reaffirm, put into effect kuposai) your love (agapen) for him" (v8) 
designs (noemata): minds, thoughts, designs, plots, schemes

Discussion questions (for next lesson)
Text: 2 Cor 2:5-11

Q1.      What was the offence? (v 5)   Was the offence related to 1 Cor 5? (see context). 
            If not, what was the offence to Paul and the church members at Corinth?

A1.      After Paul’s painful visit, some kind of insult was laid against him or his representative by a visitor to Corinth or by a Corinthian, who perhaps headed an opposition to Paul at Corinth and his disciplinary methods as stated in 1 Cor 5. 
"If anyone has caused grief, it was not me (in particular) he has grieved, but to some extent (so as not to exaggerate it) to all of you."
Paul’s vindication of work as an apostle by his example (2 Cor 1:1; 1:8-2:4).
Some other hints in 2 Cor 1:23-2:4 cf 7:2,8-12; 8:20; 10:1,2,10,12; 11:5,20; 12:11,17.
A tyrannical overlord?(v24)

Q2.      What did Paul counsel the Corinthian Christians to do regarding the offender? (vv 7-10)

Q3.      What does "forgiveness in the sight of Christ mean? (v10c)
            Other translation "before the presence of Christ"

Q4.      Would a lack of gracious and gentle restoration or forgiveness create a foothold for Satan’s schemes?
            (v 11a). How?

Q5.      What are other schemes of Satan? (v11b).  2 Cor 11:3,14; 4:4; 3;14; Jn 8:44 cf 1 Jn 2:22;

Possible Applications

Consider your relationships with your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, and your classmates or colleagues.
a)    Is there any wrong done against you that you can graciously forgive before Christ?

b)    Wouldn’t it be easier to "build bridges" when there have been forgiveness on your part?

Closing Prayer

Break into twos or threes and share one possible application and pray for one another. Dismiss quietly.