Discipline is Love’s Affirmation

2 Corinthians 2:5-11    
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Church discipline here was probably for the man committing sexual immorality with his stepmother that was addressed in 1 Corinthians 5:1.  The punishment was now to be followed up with forgiveness and comfort after godly remorse and sorrow filled the offender.  He needed love and acceptance after repentance and forgiveness so that restoration could begin.  Paul wrote to test the church to see if they would do these things and not withhold love and forgiveness.  He knew how Satan takes advantage of bitterness and unforgiving hearts.  Since we know these things, we also must put them in practice both personally and corporately.