Paul was addressing some of the challenges of the people in Corinth. In some ways, they were not unlike challenges you may be having in your own family or friends' circle.
Is someone stirring up drama, leading someone astray, or causing division?
Is your adult child disappointing you by the decisions they are making?
Is your friend ignoring you because they are self-absorbed?
Paul gives one of the great, all-time expressions of what we can do for someone who is failing in some way.
"You should forgive and encourage him . . . or else the person may be overwhelmed by excessive pain. Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him." (2 Corinthians 2:6)
We may be tempted to "punish" the offender beyond what is necessary, and Paul challenges us to look outward and have concern for "the other."
In the case of the Corinthians, Paul determined that the action taken by the Corinthians, i.e. "the punishment" to address the situation, was enough, and care should be taken not to inflict more pain.
In other words, enough is enough. We need to know when we have said or done enough, lest our words or behavior become excessive punishment.
In our case, healthy relationships allow room for individual growth, and since that growth sometimes comes in fits and starts, it can be very frustrating to the observer.
Let us heed Paul's words and look for ways to lift others up and reaffirm our love for them, being careful not to continually rebuke them once we have said our piece.
Janet Cassidy
Email me at: jmctm2@gmail.com
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