Lest Satan should get an advantage over us; literally, lest we should be overreached by Satan, which would have been the case if our severity had resulted in the desperation of the offender, and not in his deliverance. We are not ignorant of his devices. So too in Ephesians 6:11 we are told of the "crafty wiles of the devil." read more
The devices of Satan. The course of St. Paul with regard to the Christian Church at Corinth was one of great difficulty. A flagrant case of immorality demanded his decided interference. Yet he wished to deal, both with the offender and with those who made too light of his offence, in such a way as not to endanger his personal influence over the Corinthian Christians generally. If he were too lax or too severe, in either case he would give his enemies an opportunity to malign him. And he... read more
Satanic devices within the Church. The reference here made to Satan must be regarded as figurative. It should not be used as an argument for the existence of a supreme evil spirit, however the existence of such a spirit may be assumed. St. Paul has elsewhere used the figure of "delivering unto Satan" ( 1 Timothy 1:20 ). By this we are to understand a solemn excommunication or expulsion from the Church, possibly with the infliction also of some bodily disease. The offender was to be left... read more
Lest Satan - The devil. The name Satan denotes an adversary, an accuser, an enemy. It is the usual proper name which is given to the devil, the great adversary of God and man.Should get an advantage of us - The literal translation of the Greek would be, “That we may not be defrauded by Satan.” (Ἵνα μὴ πλεονεκτηθῶμεν ὑπὸ τοῦ Σατανᾶ Hina mē pleonektēthōmen hupo Satana). The verb used here denotes to have more than another; then to gain, to take advantage of one, to defraud. And the... read more
2 Corinthians 2:6-11. Sufficient to such a man With what remarkable tenderness does the apostle treat this offender! He never once mentions his name, nor does he here so much as mention his crime; but speaks of him in the most indefinite manner that was consistent with giving such directions in his case as love required; is this punishment, inflicted by many Not only by the rulers of the church, the whole congregation acquiesced in the sentence. So that contrariwise Instead of... read more
Forgiveness for the offender (2:5-11)In this section Paul speaks about an offender and his offence, and although we do not know to whom or what he was referring, the Corinthians did. The offence seems to have concerned Paul personally (perhaps a denial of his apostolic authority), and was one reason for Paul’s severe letter. The issue caused sorrow for the church and for Paul (5). The church finally dealt with the offender, probably by excluding him from the fellowship for a period (6).Paul now... read more
Satan, &c. Literally should be overreached (Greek. pleonekteo. Here, 2Co 7:2 ; 2 Corinthians 12:17 , 2 Corinthians 12:18 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:6 ) by (Greek. hupo , as in 2 Corinthians 2:6 ) Satan. ignorant. Gr . agnoeo . Compare 2 Corinthians 1:8 . Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-8 . devices = thoughts. Greek. noema Elsewhere 2 Corinthians 3:14 ; 2Co 4:4 ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 ; 2 Corinthians 11:3 .Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:7 . See 2 Corinthians 11:3 .Ephesians 6:11... read more
11. Literally, "That we may have no advantage gained over us by Satan," namely, by letting one of our members be lost to us through despair, we ourselves furnishing Satan with the weapon, by our repulsive harshness to one now penitent. The loss of a single sinner is a common loss; therefore, in 2 Corinthians 2:10, he said, "for your sakes." Paul had "delivered" the offender "to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the Spirit might be saved" (2 Corinthians 2:10- :). Satan sought to... read more
The treatment of the offender 2:5-11"Particularly apparent here is Paul’s sensitivity as a pastor: He avoids naming the culprit (2 Corinthians 2:5-8); he recognizes that Christian discipline is not simply retributive but also remedial (2 Corinthians 2:6-7); he understands the feelings and psychological needs of the penitent wrongdoer (2 Corinthians 2:6-8); he appeals to his own conduct as an example for the Corinthians to follow (2 Corinthians 2:10); and he is aware of the divisive operation of... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
The Church's dealings with unworthy members. "The main defence of the apostle against the charge of fickleness in the nonfulfilment of his promise was that he had abstained from going to Corinth in order to spare them the sharp rebuke lag must have administered had he gone thither. A great crime had been committed; the Church had been compromised, more especially as some of the Corinthians had defended the iniquity on the ground of liberty, and St. Paul had stayed away after giving his... read more