Accountability, Sympathy, and Forgiveness
5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. – 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Accountability, Sympathy, and Forgiveness. This is a “love” triangle or trinity I rarely hear discussed in tandem. But I think it is a deep one worthy of reflection this new year. Now we must ask ourselves, how does this passage communicate these attributes and how can we apply these principles to our walk with Christ?
The Exposition
This passage opens up to the Paul Apostle writing to the church in Corthin on the pain some of them have caused him during a previous visit he had there. The apostle chose not to return because he did not want to “lord” over them in faith and create another unpleasant visit and conflict for them all.
Whatever pain they have caused it seems the Corinthians were dealing with that man, and held him or them accountable for how they treated Paul. The Corinthians showed sympathy for Paul and stood by their brother in the faith, handling the situation by holding the wrongdoers accountable for what happened. Paul then sees the Corinthians delivering justice and turns them toward forgiveness, having compassion on the brothers that wronged him, knowing that having a community that has called them out, is more than enough in this instance, and that Christ is glorified when we do forgive and whomever they forgive he also will forgive. All this so that they might not devour one another, as Satan would want, and rather show the love of Christ towards one another.
This passage is a clear exposition showing us how to properly handle conflict within the church, and the church of Corinthians shines in this instances properly
I. The Accountability of the Corinthians
Accountability is an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. (1 Corinthians 6:1-20). The Corinthians saw the unrighteousness done to their brother Paul. Called out the wrongdoing, which Paul rejoices in here. We as a church should do so as well, whether towards leadership, another brother, or the world be people of the faith that call out unrighteousness with all truth and love. Also, owning up to our unrighteousness we are restored to an upright position. This involves confession of sin, and bringing our issues to one another to work out rather than passively letting things go. However, within this context, as a church, it is important that we hold everyone accountable, and that we do so with a loving heart for righteousness for the least and the greatest.
II. The Sympathy of the Corinthians
Sympathy is A feeling of sincere concern for someone who is going through a difficult time. It’s acknowledging someone else’s pain, but you still have an emotional boundary around yourself. (1 Peter 3:8). Corinth, sympathized with Paul’s hurt as he sympathized with the pain they felt from his previous letter. Sympathy, and acknowledgment of someone else’s pain and how they feel is something our Lord Jesus practiced profusely. As members of the body, we are not just a family, we are family. If one member is wrong, we all are. If one member hurts, we all hurt. Just as in a human body if we stub our toe the pain shoots through our whole body, if a member of the body is in distress, pain, or wronged, it is as we all were. This is something easily understood in the message, however, seldom practiced out as our society has grown less hospitable towards one another and more independent of one another. This can only change by being involved in each other’s lives, and walking with one another not just apart but in the same direction. Christians are to sympathize, with a sympathy that calls them to justice for the afflicted and comfort towards their struggle.
III. The Compassion of Paul/The Forgiveness of the Corinthians
Forgiveness means letting go of resentment and giving up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss we have suffered. (1 Corinthians 13:5). Paul instructs them to forgive the party that wronged him. Accountability is different from punishment, and we must always acknowledge wrongdoing as we are accountable to one another and to God. However, we must first look through a merciful lends, as God is always first merciful towards us. Forgiveness flows from a heart of love, l as the psalmist says in 103:10-14 “e does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lordshows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” So let’s focus on restoring one another, and loving one another, lest Satan see us devour one another.
Demonte