2 Corinthians 2:8

8 My counsel now is to pour on the love.

2 Corinthians 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:8

Wherefore I beseech you
Or exhort you:

that ye would confirm your love towards him:
express your love to him in the most kind and tender manner, show the same, and as strong love to him as you did before, and as if he had never offended; receive him as a brother in the most affectionate manner, and embrace him with the most endearing expressions of respect and friendship; and let your reception of him in this kind and friendly way be with the full consent, and by the joint vote and suffrage of the whole church, for so the word translated "confirm" signifies; for as the ejection of a person out of a church must be done by the decree and vote of the church, or it is not authentic, so the reception of a person into it must be in like manner; and since this was to be done by the suffrage of the church, the apostle beseeches and exhorts them to do it.

2 Corinthians 2:8 In-Context

6 What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough.

7 Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it.

8 My counsel now is to pour on the love.

9 The focus of my letter wasn't on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church.

10 So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don't think I'm carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I'm joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us.