2 Corinthians 2:1

2 Corinthians 2:1 says, But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.  Paul said that he determined not to come to the Corinthians in heaviness, or to simply point out their failings.  Paul had faith in the church at Corinth to handle the problems that arose there.  Each church, or local fellowship of believers today, is capable of dealing with any problem that might arise in it.  We do not have to rely on someone who is more holy to come and correct any problem.  We are all filled with the same power of the Holy Spirit.  Verse two adds, For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?  I believe that Paul was saying that if he were to make the believers at Corinth sorry, or to bring them despair through Christ, then how could he at the same time make them glad through Christ.  We are not called to sorrow in Christ, but to rejoicing in our salvation.  Verse three continues, And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.  Paul said that what he had written was written so that the church could correct their problems so that when he came to them, they might rejoice, or have joy, in their salvation.  If we hear of a problem in a church, we need to point it out to those who worship there, but we must allow them to correct it so that we might have joy together.  We may pray for those that have problems, but they must take responsibility for correcting the problems themselves.  Verse four states, For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.  Paul grieved for the church at Corinth and their problems.  He wrote to them out of love and not out of an attitude of judgment or moral superiority.  We today must have the same attitude.  Problems in any church should cause us to be broken hearted for the people there, and not to cause us to feel superior.  Too often we like to talk about what we see as problems in other churches instead of praying for them and showing the love of God to them.  Verse five adds, But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.  Paul said that the actions of one church member, or even a few members, did not cause him to blame the whole church.  Verse six continues, Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.  Paul had suggested how they should deal with the situation, and the congregation as a whole had done so.  Again, I don't believe Paul demanded that they do what he said, but that he offered advice that they followed.  There is no one Christian, even a Christian leader, who can demand that others do what he dictates.  Each congregation should be led by the Holy Spirit and needs no other advocate before God.  Verse seven says, So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.  Paul said that the attitude of the church toward one who had been removed from the fellowship due to unrepentant sin should be one of love and restoration.  We should never give up on nor look down on others, especially those who are fellow believers.  Verse eight adds, Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.  Paul asked them to reach out to the one who had caused problems in love.  Too often, when a Christian fails in some way other Christians prefer to condemn rather than to forgive them.  We should always welcome those who have failed, whether the failing was big or small, back into the fellowship when they repent and seek God's forgiveness.  I also believe that they should not be welcomed conditionally as one on trial to see if they will fail again, but as an equal in the eyes of God.