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offending party should not be permitted to sink into either condition. Surely the personality o f Satan is very clearly taught in this passage. As Paul had joined with the Corinthian believers in the excommunication o f this offender, thus giving the matter apostolic sanction, so now would he unite with them in restoring the offender (ii. 10 ), thus giv ing the restoration emphatic apostolic ratifi cation, which would doubtless be o f great comfort to the repentant offender. The expression “ in the person o f Christ” (or in the face, or presence o f Christ, cf. iii. 7, 13, 18) would indicate that the for giveness is not o f Paul but o f Jesus Christ through Paul (cf. John xx. 23; 1 John 11. 12). Just as in the case o f discipline the offender was handed over to Satan “ in the name o f our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor inthians v. 4), so now the restoration takes place “ in the name o f the Lord Jesus Christ.” The expression “in the person o f Christ” may also indicate that the apos tle acts towards the offender as in the presence o f Christ and would have them treat him as though Christ were actually looking on, as in point o f fact He was actually doing.. How gently and delicately the apostle deals with this offender who has been restored! He refers to him in the words “ if any one” and “ such a one” (cf. the same expression in 1 Corinthians v. 5— “ deliver such an one over to Satan” ), How tactful we need to be in dealing with the erring! How gentle we need to be in our methods o f restoration! The conduct of the church towards an offending brother should always aim at his restoration (cf. Galatians vi. 1-5). A church is in danger of falling into Satan’s clutches by over- severity just as by over-laxity. The church, o f course, should exercise discipline in such a manner and at such times as the good o f the offender demands: when the church is threatened with injury because o f it, and when the sin has been o f such a nature as to arouse the righteous indignation o f God’s people—an indigna-
(c) The Need, for Such Discipline and Severity Has now Been Removed by the Penitence and Restoration of the Offending Party {ii. 5 - 1 1 ). ' Just who the offending party was we may not be quite certain, but very likely it was the one guilty o f the sin o f fornication referred to in 1 Corinthians v. The lesson o f this section is that disci pline has an end; indeed, is but a means to an end (cf. 1 Corinthians xi. 28-34; James v. 13-16). In every case discipline must be tempered with mercy. The penitent offender must be restored and fellowship with the brethren again accorded him. Dis cipline may be carried too far if not gov erned by Christian forbearance and pru dence, and may result in the complete dis couragement o f the offending party (cf. ii. 5-8). In restoring, as well as in disci plining the penitent offender we prove our love. Restoration is just as much an ele ment o f love as is discipline. In this for giveness and restoration the apostle gladly participates (ii. *10). Not to forgive the penitent is to give Satan (to whom the offender has been temporarily committed, cf. 1 Corinthian? v. 5) an advantage over us, and so. the whole body (cf. “ for your sakes” , ii. 10) o f Christ suffers because of the suffering o f one o f its members. To have the mind o f Christ (Philippians ii. 5; Ephesians v. 1, 2) is to be wise to the devices o f Satan. Particularly is this true with reference to the matter o f the for giveness o f others (cf. Matthew v. 21-26; Ephesians iv. 26, 27). Satan will resort to any means to get a child o f God within his grasp again or to. keep him within his power (cf. Job chaps. 1, 2; 1 Peter v. 8 ). Despair is one o f Satan’s principal weap ons (cf. ii. 7—“his sorrow” R. V.).. The offender in question (1 Corinthians v. 5) had been “delivered unto - Satan for the destruction o f the flesh.” The Corinthians must beware lest Satan get this man’s soul also, and he be “ swallowed up .with over much'sorrow.” Paul would have the Cor inthians hold wisely the balance between a false security and a hopeless despair. The
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