What does "sufficient for him" reveal about community correction in 2 Corinthians 2:6? Setting the Scene • Paul is writing to a repentant church in Corinth about a man once caught in grievous sin (see 1 Corinthians 5:1–5). • They had obeyed Paul’s earlier instruction and applied corporate discipline. • Now he says, “The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him” (2 Corinthians 2:6). The Phrase in Focus: “Sufficient for Him” • “Sufficient” (Greek: hikanos) means adequate, enough, meeting the need—no more, no less. • “For him” personalizes the discipline; it was never about public shaming but about the offender’s restoration. • Paul signals a divinely set boundary: once discipline has achieved repentance, continuing it would cross from correction to cruelty. Principles of Community Correction 1. Collective Responsibility – “By the majority” shows discipline is a body action, not a vendetta (cf. Matthew 18:17). – The whole church shares accountability for holiness. 2. Measured Discipline – Correction is proportionate: “sufficient,” not endless (cf. Hebrews 12:11). – Excessive punishment risks “being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:7). 3. Goal-Oriented – Aim: repentance and restoration, never mere penalty (Galatians 6:1). – Once fruit is evident, the church must shift gears to comfort and reaffirm love (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). Balancing Discipline and Restoration • Step 1 – Rebuke (Matthew 18:15). • Step 2 – Escalate to two or three witnesses (Matthew 18:16). • Step 3 – Tell it to the church; if unrepentant, remove fellowship (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:5). • Step 4 – When repentance surfaces, restoration must be just as public and intentional (2 Corinthians 2:8). Supporting Scriptures • Proverbs 3:11-12 – The Lord disciplines those He loves. • Hebrews 12:5-11 – Discipline yields “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” • Galatians 6:1 – Restore “in a spirit of gentleness.” • James 5:19-20 – Turning a sinner back “covers a multitude of sins.” Takeaways for Today • Corporate correction is biblical, loving, and necessary. • Discipline should always aim for repentance; lingering punishment after repentance offends God’s design. • The church must be just as eager to welcome back a repentant believer as it was to confront the sin. |
    |