HOW THE CONGREGATION WAS TO TREAT THE REPENTANT SINNER

7. Removing the wrongdoer from the congregation produced what good result? (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)

⁷ Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-8. Paul noted that the “rebuke given by the majority [was] sufficient for such a man.” In other words, the discipline had served its purpose toward him. What purpose? To lead him to repentance.​—Heb. 12:11.

8. What did Paul next tell the congregation to do?

⁸ Paul therefore directed the congregation: “Kindly forgive and comfort” the erring brother, and “confirm your love for him.” Note that Paul wanted the congregation to do more than merely allow the man back among Jehovah’s people. Paul wanted them to assure the repentant man by their words, manner, and actions that they truly forgave him and loved him. They would thus make it clear that they welcomed his return to the congregation.

9. Why might some have been hesitant to forgive the repentant wrongdoer?

⁹ Did some in that congregation feel reluctant to welcome the repentant sinner back into their midst? The account does not tell us, but it is possible. After all, his actions brought trouble to the congregation as a whole and perhaps shame to certain individuals as well. Some might have felt that it was unfair that the man should be so warmly accepted as a brother when they were the ones who had fought so hard to remain morally clean. (Compare Luke 15:28-30.) Why, though, was it important for the congregation to show genuine love for their returning brother?

10-11. What could happen if the elders refused to forgive the repentant sinner?

¹⁰ Imagine what could happen if the elders refused to allow the truly repentant man back into the congregation or if after his return, the congregation refused to show him love. He could be swallowed up by “excessive sadness.” He could easily feel that his situation was hopeless. He might even give up in his efforts to repair his relationship with God.

¹¹ Even worse, if the other brothers and sisters in the congregation refused to forgive the repentant sinner, they would put their own relationship with Jehovah in jeopardy. Why? Because they would reflect, not Jehovah’s forgiving attitude toward repentant wrongdoers, but Satan’s harsh and merciless attitude. They would, in effect, become tools that the Devil could use to destroy the man spiritually.​—2 Cor. 2:10, 11; Eph. 4:27.

12. How could the congregation imitate Jehovah?

¹² How, then, could the congregation in Corinth imitate Jehovah, not Satan? By following Jehovah’s way of dealing with repentant sinners. Note what some Bible writers said about Jehovah. He is “good and ready to forgive,” said David. (Ps. 86:5) Micah wrote: “Who is a God like you, pardoning error and passing over the transgression?” (Mic. 7:18) And Isaiah stated: “Let the wicked man leave his way and the evil man his thoughts; let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will forgive in a large way.”​—Isa. 55:7.

13. Why was it appropriate to reinstate the repentant sinner into the congregation? (See the box “When Was the Man in Corinth Reinstated?”)

¹³ To imitate Jehovah, the congregation in Corinth had to welcome the repentant man back and assure him of their love. By following Paul’s direction to welcome back the repentant sinner, the congregation showed their “obedience in all things.” (2 Cor. 2:9) True, only months had passed since he was removed, but the discipline had successfully led him to repentance. So there would be no point in delaying his reinstatement into the congregation.