I like this passage on forgiveness. It's a good reminder to me.
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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.
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The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
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Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
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I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
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The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.
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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,
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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 2:5-11
The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong,
again into their communion; for he was aware of his fault, and much
afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for
other duties, and drive to despair. Not only was there danger last
Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of
God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but against the churches
and the ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians
as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the
ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be used, that the
ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for too
great severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans
to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes."
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