The David Spoon Experience 7-13-23 Part 1
A) This was the story: The conflict that caused the painful visit and the severe letter involved a challenge to Paul’s authority as an apostle. The severe letter achieved a degree of correction. The rebel who caused grief, not merely for Paul but for the entire church to some extent, had been repudiated by the majority (see 7:6–13). With their cooperation, Paul is ready to forgive and comfort the offender. To continue to punish him (after he has repented) would damage not only him but the church and Paul’s own work because it would allow Satan to take advantage of the discord in the church. The traditional identification of the offending person with the incestuous man in 1 Cor. 5:1–5 is possible, but the offense here seems to have been directed particularly at Paul, with the charge being grievous, rude conduct, not immorality.[1]
B) Consider what this Godly sorrow has produced in you: Here is another testimony that you are saved. Or a testimony that someone is not. When God moves upon us with a “sorrow” (to pain, to grieve, to be sad), it creates a movement towards getting it right, getting it on track. That zeal is an indication that Godly grief is having the desired effect and impact. It moves us to do better.
C) Paul then writes something that will be disturbing to many. But in context, it has the perfect flow from the Holy Spirit. He says that he did not write on the account of the abuser/sinner/ rebel. Neither did he write on the account the victims, the abused, or the pained. He wrote on behalf of the righteousness of God.
D) I fully understand the desire for mankind to desire justice. But the problem is that justice, based on sinful human wisdom, falls short every time. James 1:20 states, “For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” And Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
[1] Hayford, Jack W., Paul G. Chappell, Kenneth C. Ulmer, Judy Brown, Roy Hayden, Jonathan David Huntzinger, and Gary Matsdorf, eds. 2002. New Spirit-Filled Life Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Bibles.
