In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we find a church that has been through relational strain. Someone had caused deep pain, disrupted the community, and likely stood against Paul’s leadership. In response, the church took action to confront the sin. But now Paul writes to say, enough. The correction has done its work. The goal was never to crush, but to restore. The heart of church discipline is not punishment, but healing. Forgiveness is not a soft option. It is the hard and holy work of love. Paul urges them to comfort this man and reaffirm their love for him, so he is not swallowed up by excessive sorrow. The message is clear. Do not leave a repentant brother drowning in shame. Draw him back into grace.
Sometimes we can be a punitive people. When someone causes us pain, we want to see them punished more than we want to see them restored. When someone falls short, we are tempted to stand on their back just to feel a little taller ourselves. But Paul paints a different picture. Here is a man who brought grief, stirred conflict, and fractured trust—and Paul says, embrace him. I do not want to see him swallowed up in guilt, shame, rejection, or the ache of being unloved. Affirm your love for him. Make sure he knows he is still wanted.
Is this not the heart of God beautifully displayed? If God disciplines us, it is with love and for our restoration. His deepest desire is not to shame us, but to heal us. Not to cast us out, but to bring us home. His arms are always open to the one who turns back.
Is there someone in your life who has fallen, been corrected, and now wonders if they are still welcome? Reach out. Reaffirm your love. Let them see in you the grace of Christ—that grace has not run out, that love is still being offered, and the door is still open.