For to this end also did I write
Or "I have written", both in this and in his former epistle to
them, and in both with this view,
that I might know the proof of you;
that he might try, prove, and know them:
whether ye be obedient in all things;
he wrote unto them in his former epistle, to put away that wicked
man from them; which he did not do, merely to reproach the man,
and fix a brand of infamy on him; nor merely to grieve and
afflict their minds; nor only to show his own power and
authority, which he as an apostle had received from Christ, but
to make trial of their obedience; and he had had a proof of it in
their rejection of him; and now he writes unto them, that since
this man was truly humbled for his sin, and had repentance unto
life not to be repented of, that they would as cheerfully receive
him, and restore him to his place; that as the apostle had a
proof of their obedience in the one, he might also have in the
other, and so in all things: hence it appears, that though it
belongs to the whole church, and that only, to reject or receive
members, yet as ministers of the Gospel are set over the
churches, to govern, guide, direct, and go before in matters of
discipline; so whatever they propose, according to the rule of
God's word, ought to be carefully attended to and obeyed.