2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan. Paul had instructed the Corinthians to deliver the sinner “unto Satan” (1 Cor. 5:4, 5), with a view to his ultimate salvation. But if the church failed to forgive and restore the repentant offender, Satan would still gain an advantage. He gains an advantage not only by leading people into sin but also by our failure to forgive them when they repent.

Devices. Or, “designs.” Satan is constantly seeking to injure and destroy the souls of men. His designs are directed particularly against the church and against individuals who aspire to follow Christ. He sometimes succeeds in perverting even the best and purest plans and efforts of individuals, and even of the church. Where the salvation of the individual is lost sight of, hearts will be embittered or driven to despair, and irritation and division will injure the church.

Satan’s designs are accomplished in rash and misguided zeal of church members, by harsh and rigid pretensions at perfection, by a critical and censorious spirit, by cold indifference to the fate of men, by tithing mint and anise and cummin and omitting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith (Matt. 23:23). God’s character is thus maligned and misunderstood, His cause is dishonored, and the standing of the church is seriously impaired.

The Christian deals not simply with some error of judgment and conduct in an offending brother but with a personal foe (see on Matt. 4:1). It was a personal devil that tempted our Lord in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11). Paul had been buffeted by a “messenger of Satan” (2 Cor. 12:7), and knew from experience the kind of adversary he had to face. He recognized the devil for what he is. His clear spiritual perception pierced the disguise used by Satan, and he overcame him by the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6:16, 17; 1 John 2:14). Victory over our adversary comes by following the admonition to “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).