I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. (NLT)

I once heard a much loved and respected pastor say that in church leadership we sometimes fear to grasp the nettle, somewhat scared that we might be stung by it. I identified with that! But ‘’painful’’ as it had been, Paul had grasped the Corinthian nettle, and things were now working out well.

Here is an example of Paul not dominating their faith (1:24). He had not neglected his responsibility to play his part (see verse 9) but the Corinthian church, in the main, had got on with disciplining the errant member. We don’t know precisely what the issue was, but it had clearly required church discipline in some form. However, as with the disciplining of children, there is a fine line where what we are doing may be more disheartening than restorative. So a delicate balance is required.

The Bible teacher David Pawson pointed out that this man’s name is never mentioned. So while he must have been known to the Corinthians, no subsequent reader of this letter could ever identify him.

”Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (NLT).