6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
6 Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
21 So how should I prepare to come to you? As a severe disciplinarian who makes you toe the mark? Or as a good friend and counselor who wants to share heart-to-heart with you? You decide.
21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
(Read 1 Corinthians 4:14-21)
In reproving for sin, we should distinguish between sinners and their sins. Reproofs that kindly and affectionately warn, are likely to reform. Though the apostle spoke with authority as a parent, he would rather beseech them in love. And as ministers are to set an example, others must follow them, as far as they follow Christ in faith and practice. Christians may mistake and differ in their views, but Christ and Christian truth are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Whenever the gospel is effectual, it comes not in word only, but also in power, by the Holy Spirit, quickening dead sinners, delivering persons from the slavery of sin and Satan, renewing them both inwardly and outwardly, and comforting, strengthening, and establishing the saints, which cannot be done by the persuasive language of men, but by the power of God. And it is a happy temper, to have the spirit of love and meekness bear the rule, yet to maintain just authority.
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
5 Hold this man's conduct up to public scrutiny. Let him defend it if he can! But if he can't, then out with him! It will be totally devastating to him, of course, and embarrassing to you. But better devastation and embarrassment than damnation. You want him on his feet and forgiven before the Master on the Day of Judgment.
5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
5 Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.
(Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8)
The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
13 God judges
13 God decides on the outsiders, but we need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house.
13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person."
13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, "You must remove the evil person from among you."
(Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:6
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
(Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6)
While others thought meanly, and spake scornfully of the apostle, he had low thoughts, and spake humbly of himself. We should be aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men reproach us. The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness of wisdom. Conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force. Thus the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conquest the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appear to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety, and wickedness.