Forgiving the offender

The church of Jesus Christ is a living entity.

Problems arise on a very regular consistency and leaders are being tested for their patience and love to know how to handle the crisis that occur in the Church.

Immorality in the present time has not abated but has increased in the global culture of liberalism. The newspaper today has an article on 'Women Chauvinism' which is now a new culture of liberated women who are young and seductive and calling the shorts for what they want. They like to flaunt their body assets and control the relationship between the men they choose.

This lifestyle ultimately also filter into the churches and displinary problems of sexaul immorality is rampant though most do not show through the surface. However, this is not a new phenomenon but was also rampant in the early church and the problem was so challenging that Paul had to write to the Church in Corinth on how to exercise discipline and restoration which in turn serves as our manual for church discipline.


1 Cor 5:1-5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife.
2. And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from you.
3. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.
4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
The Corinthians were tolerating great sexual immorality in the church and Paul had to deliver this severe judgment and discipline.
Vs 5: Deliver such a one to Satan, implies church ostracism and a removal of God’s protective power, which allows Satan to work.

For example.

1 Tim 1:20; of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. This refers to ex-communication which is remedial and punitive for the church

Destruction of the flesh administer to the offender would bring about a spirit of humility and repentance.

However, this punishment must be retracted when the offender has repented.


2 Cor 2:5-11
5. But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent---not to be too severe
6.This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man.
7. so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him t perhaps such a one be swallowed up by too much sorrow.
8. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him
9. For to this end I also wrote that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10. Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ.
11. lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.The severe letter of 1 Corinthian achieved a degree of correction, the rebel who caused grief for the entire church to some extent had been repudiated.

Paul is ready to forgive and forgive the offender. To continue to punish him after he has repented would damage not only him but the church, because it would allow Satan to take advantage of the discord in the church.

John Lee