5But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you. 6Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Let's look at and apply these verses to us, to someone that has done wrong, trespassed against us or the church.
"otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow."
This indicates to me the person is repenting, asking for forgiveness after they were punished or disciplined and corrected their ways.
Shall you say no? Shall you become his judge? Be careful, God may not like the territory you are walking on!
Don't let your pride or anger get in the way!
Have you been put to the test? Has someone caused you sorrow? How have you repaid them? With the love of Christ?
Paul states; "you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow".
Yes, reaffirm your love for them!
If you are put to the test, will you be obedient in all things?
We seldom are! But we can ask for forgiveness and correct our behavior.
Why? Because; "so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes."
Yes you must forgive because if you don't; How can the Father forgive you?
Matthew Henry commentary:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/2-corinthians/2.html
In these verses the apostle treats concerning the incestuous person who had been excommunicated, which seems to be one principal cause of his writing this epistle. Here observe, 1. He tells them that the crime of that person had grieved him in part; and that he was grieved also with a part of them, who, notwithstanding this scandal had been found among them, were puffed up and had not mourned, 1 Co. 5:2 . However, he was unwilling to lay too heavy a charge upon the whole church, especially seeing they had cleared themselves in that matter by observing the directions he had formerly given them. 2. He tells them that the punishment which had been inflicted upon this offender was sufficient, v. 6. The desired effect was obtained, for the man was humbled, and they had shown the proof of their obedience to his directions. He therefore directs them, with all speed, to restore the excommunicated person, or to receive him again to their communion, v. 7, v. 8. This is expressed several ways. He beseeches them to forgive him, that is, to release him from church-censures, for they could not remit the guilt or offence against God; and also to comfort him, for in many cases the comfort of penitents depends upon their reconciliation not only with God, but with men also, whom they have scandalized or injured. They must also confirm their love to him; that is, they should show that their reproofs and censures proceeded from love to his person, as well as hatred to his sin, and that their design was to reform, not to ruin him. Or thus: If his fall had weakened their love to him, that they could not take such satisfaction in him as formerly; yet, now that he was recovered by repentance, they must renew and confirm their love to him.
Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com
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