This document summarizes a teaching on the difficult ministry of forgiveness based on 2 Corinthians 2:05-2:11. It discusses how forgiveness is difficult because it involves pain, requires going above and beyond, moving on, and reaffirming love. However, we are called to forgive because it is an act of obedience, tests our faith, is for Christ's sake, and protects ourselves by defeating Satan's schemes. The teacher provides background on the passage and questions for reflection.

1. The Difficult Ministry of
Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-2:11
David Clayton. teacher
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AUDITORIUM CLASS ON 2nd CORINTHIANS CLASS NOTES

2. The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05- 2:11
David Clayton. teacher
Study guide online: summervillechurchofchrist.com
“Classes” Heading: Auditorium Class on 2nd Corinthians Class Notes
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much
grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some
extent—not to put it too severely. The
punishment inflicted on him by the majority is
sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive
and comfort him, so that he will not be
overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge
you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

3. The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05- 2:11
David Clayton. teacher
Study guide online: summervillechurchofchrist.com
“Classes” Heading: Auditorium Class on 2nd Corinthians Class Notes
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you
would stand the test and be obedient in
everything. Anyone you forgive, I also
forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there
was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in
the sight of Christ for your sake, in order
that Satan might not outwit us. For we are
not unaware of his schemes.

4. Study guide online: summervillechurchofchrist.com
“Classes” Heading: Auditorium Class on 2nd Corinthians Class Notes
Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
If anyone has caused grief, he has not
so much grieved me as he has grieved
all of you to some extent—not to put it
too severely
(2 Corinthians 2:5)

5. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into
mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who
has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not
physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is
present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment
in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing
this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in
spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this
man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his
spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:2-

6. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority
the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing
you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to
seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For
some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in
person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to
nothing.” Such people should realize that what we are in
our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions
when we are present. 2 Corinthians 10:8-10

7. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-
apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I
do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to
you in every way.
2 Corinthians 11:5-6

8. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I
ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in
the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I
am nothing. I persevered in demonstrating among you
the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and
miracles.
2 Corinthians 12:11-12

9. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
2. Go OVERBOARD
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
The punishment inflicted on him by the
majority is sufficient. Now instead, you
ought to forgive and comfort him, so that
he will not be overwhelmed by excessive
sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm
your love for him.
(2 Corinthians 2:6-8)

10. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
2. Go OVERBOARD
3. Requires MOVING ON
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
The punishment inflicted on him by the
majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought
to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not
be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge
you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
(2 Corinthians 2:6-8)

11. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. PAIN is involved
2. Go OVERBOARD
3. Requires MOVING ON
4. It is reaffirming our LOVE
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
The punishment inflicted on him by the
majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought
to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not
be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge
you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
(2 Corinthians 2:6-8)

12. We are to Forgive because:
1. It is an act of OBEDIENCE
2. It is a TEST of our faith
3. It is for the SAKE of Christ
4. It is for OURSELVES
5. It is forDEFEAT Satan’s schemes.
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the
test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also
forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to
forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in
order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware
of his schemes.(2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

13. We are to Forgive because:
1. It is an act of OBEDIENCE
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you
would stand the test and be obedient in
everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive.
And what I have forgiven—if there was anything
to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ
for your sake, in order that Satan might not
outwit us. For we are not unaware of his
schemes.(2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

14. We are to Forgive because:
1. It is an act of OBEDIENCE
2. It is a TEST of our faith
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you
would stand the test and be obedient in
everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And
what I have forgiven—if there was anything to
forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for
your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit
us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
(2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

15. We are to Forgive because:
1. It is an act of OBEDIENCE
2. It is a TEST of our faith
3. It is for the SAKE of Christ
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would
stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone
you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—
if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the
sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might
not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his
schemes.(2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

16. We are to Forgive because:
1. It is an act of OBEDIENCE
2. It is a TEST of our faith
3. It is for the SAKE of Christ
4. It is for OURSELVES
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the
test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also
forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to
forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in
order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware
of his schemes.(2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

17. We are to Forgive because:
1. It is an act of OBEDIENCE
2. It is a TEST of our faith
3. It is for the SAKE of Christ
4. It is for OURSELVES
5. It is forDEFEAT Satan’s schemes.
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the
test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also
forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to
forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in
order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware
of his schemes.(2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

18. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. It is to DEFEAT Satan’s Schemes
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the
flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the
Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:5

19. Forgiveness is difficult because:
1. It is to DEFEAT Satan’s Schemes
The Difficult Ministry of Forgiveness
2 Corinthians 2:05-11
David Clayton. teacher
2 Corinthians 7:8-13

20. TAKING THE LESSON HOME
1. Re-read 2 Corinthians 1:12- 2:04
2. How do others talk about me?
3. How plain spoken (with love) am I
4. Am I open to change of plans but also careful not to
be fickled?
5. Where do I need to believe more in the “Yes” of God?
6. Where am I suffering from being triangled or where do
I need to get some courage and risk being triangled?
The Power of the Right Example
2 Corinthians 1:2-2:04
David Clayton. teacher