2 Corinthians 2:7

7 Now, however, you should forgive him and encourage him, in order to keep him from becoming so sad as to give up completely.

2 Corinthians 2:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:7

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him
On the other hand, so far the apostle suggests they should be from inflicting any other punishment on him, or by any means adding to, and increasing what was inflicted, that they ought to forgive him his offence, by taking off the censure from him, which had been sufficient for the purpose, and had continued on him a sufficient time:

and comfort him;
by restoring him to the communion of the church, and to an enjoyment of all the privileges and ordinances of the house of God: and this was necessary to be done,

lest perhaps such an one should be swallowed up with over much
sorrow:
be overwhelmed with trouble, engulfed in despair, and so become unfit for the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty; to prevent therefore such dangerous and pernicious consequences, it is incumbent on the churches of Christ, as soon as ever they observe that censures have answered the end in bringing persons to a sense and acknowledgment of sin and amendment of life, to remove them, and restore such to fellowship.

2 Corinthians 2:7 In-Context

5 Now, if anyone has made somebody sad, he has not done it to me but to all of you - in part, at least. (I say this because I do not want to be too hard on him.)

6 It is enough that this person has been punished in this way by most of you.

7 Now, however, you should forgive him and encourage him, in order to keep him from becoming so sad as to give up completely.

8 And so I beg you to let him know that you really do love him.

9 I wrote you that letter because I wanted to find out how well you had stood the test and whether you are always ready to obey my instructions.