M-W-F Bible study: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

I'm so sorry I've been absent for a few days. Life has turned very busy and trying, recently. Keep us in your prayers, please. Onto the Bible study. Starting 2 Corinthians -- So what goes through my mind, when reading these verses, is vs 8 "reaffirm your love for him", and vs 11 "in order that Satan might not outwit us". Sometimes we have such great disagreements with fellow believers, or even family members, that it is hard to access our love for that person. But we absolutely must, for it is Satan who wins, when we are not forgiving and loving.I remember when I was young, and I'd have an argument/fight with my sister. My mom would insist that we say we're sorry, and follow up with telling each other we love each other. Oh, how we hated the last part. We could speak the words "I'm sorry", but saying "I love you" in that moment was so painfully hard to do. But my mom always insisted that it was something we had to do. I get it now.     1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent--not to put it too severely. 6 The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9 The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.  (the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christnotes.org)

"Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to support such as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trust in God for time to come. And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will end in good to ourselves and others."