Note 3 at 2 Cor. 2:7: The word "contrariwise" carries the idea to now act completely different, to go opposite in direction. The man had obviously repented and the church was now to turn, forgive, comfort, and restore the man (Gal. 6:1-2; Jer. 3:22; Hos. 14:4; Mic. 7:19).

Note 4 at 2 Cor. 2:7: The word "forgive" occurs 56 times in 48 verses in the scriptures. In the Old Testament the word carries the idea of covering one's sin, i.e. atonement (Ex. 32:30; Lev. 1:4; 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:10), mercy (Dt. 21:8; Ps. 86:5), pardon (Ex. 34:9; Num. 14:19; 2 Ki. 5:18; 2 Chr. 30:18), the purging away of sin (Ps. 79:9; Prov. 16:6; Isa. 6:7), reconciliation (Ezek. 45:15, 17; Dan. 9:24), an acceptance (Gen. 19:21; 1 Sam. 25:35; Job 42:9).

In the New Testament it carries the idea to release or to free fully (Mt. 18:27; Jn. 19:10) and to remit (Jn. 20:23). The Greek word that Paul uses here is yet another word, "charizomai," and means to grant as a favor, i.e. to gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue [Strong] (2 Cor. 2:7, 10; Eph. 4:32; Col. 2:13; 3:13). In Luke 7:42-43 it is used in the context of canceling a debt.

The basis of forgiveness is the love and mercy of God (Num. 14:19; Rom. 5:8). It is only because God first loved and forgave us that we can love and forgive others (1 Jn. 4:10-11). In the early church the preaching of the "forgiveness of sins" was always associated with the person and work of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

In the context of 2 Corinthians 2:7, Paul is now appealing to the Corinthians to forgive this one, "even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Col. 3:13). It is very possible that some of this man's relatives were in this Corinthian church. Possibly his sisters, or even his father whose wife was the other person involved in this incest. Some would find it hard to forgive and restore a person who had committed such a deed, but that is exactly what Paul is instructing them to do.

If this act of incest was forgivable, certainly some of the lesser acts committed against us are forgivable too.

Note 5 at 2 Cor. 2:7: The Greek word that Paul uses for "comfort" is "parakaleo." This Greek verb is found 109 times in the New Testament with its corresponding noun, "paraklesis," found 29 times. In the context in which Paul is using the word here, "parakaleo" means "to encourage and strengthen by consolation." Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to forgive and console this one that had sinned. The punishment inflicted was sufficient for the deed. Restore such a one lest he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow, grief, and despair.

Although true comfort only comes from God, the Corinthians are going to be the human agents and channel of this consolation. When this one repented and turned from his deeds he was in reality turning to Jesus for comfort. The Corinthians are now going to be the channel of Jesus' love and comfort by offering forgiveness to this one.

Note 6 at 2 Cor. 2:7: The English phrase "swallowed up" comes from the Greek verb "katapino," and means in this passage "to devour, swallow up, or destroy." The Corinthians to some degree had the option to restore this one through forgiveness and comfort or to allow this one to be devoured and destroyed. It was common in the gospel accounts that Jesus never turned away those who asked for help (Mt.8:5-7; Mk.1:40-41; 6:56; 8:22-25). The Corinthians are now acting in Christ's behalf in forgiving and restoring this one.

We need to remember that we, like the Corinthians, have the ability to keep others bound or release them through our forgiveness. Forgiveness not only frees us, it frees those who have done us wrong.