21 And I decided this to myself, not again to come in sorrow unto you, 2 for if I make you sorry, then who is he who is making me glad, except he who is made sorry by me? 3 and I wrote to you this same thing, that having come, I may not have sorrow from them of whom it behoved me to have joy, having confidence in you all, that my joy is of you all, 4 for out of much tribulation and pressure of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not that ye might be made sorry, but that ye might know the love that I have more abundantly toward you.
5 And if any one hath caused sorrow, he hath not caused sorrow to me, but in part, that I may not burden you all; 6 sufficient to such a one is this punishment, that 'is' by the more part, 7 so that, on the contrary, 'it is' rather for you to forgive and to comfort, lest by over abundant sorrow such a one may be swallowed up; 8 wherefore, I call upon you to confirm love to him, 9 for, for this also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether in regard to all things ye are obedient. 10 And to whom ye forgive anything—I also; for I also, if I have forgiven anything, to whom I have forgiven 'it', because of you—in the person of Christ—'I forgive it,'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:1-10
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:1-4
(Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-4)
The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be given.
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
(Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11)
The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong, again into their communion; for he was aware of his fault, and much afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not only was there danger last Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but against the churches and the ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes.