2 Corinthians 2:6

Sufficient. The objective of church discipline had been accomplished; the offender had repented, and it was now time to restore him to the confidence and fellowship of his brethren. Christian discipline is a work of love, not of vengeance. Its objective is not revenge, but restoration. It must uphold the commandments of God and maintain church order. It must safeguard the other members of the church and protect the good name of the church, but it should also, wherever possible, lead the sinner to repentance. It must serve as a warning to other potential offenders and a deterrent to a repetition of the offense.

Punishment. Or, “penalty,” implying a merited judgment.

Of many. That is, by the majority. The church had complied with Paul’s recommendation in the case, but the decision had not been unanimous. The dissenting minority doubtless included some who tended to be lax in morals themselves, members of the Judaizing faction, and a few who resented Paul’s interference in the case, challenged his authority, or objected to so severe a penalty. Remedial discipline—as contrasted with punitive discipline—requires patience and understanding. In this instance it had become the responsibility of the whole church (see 1 Cor. 12:20–27). Paul might have taken the opposition of the dissident minority as a personal affront and responded to its misrepresentation and criticism in a spirit of bitterness and vindictiveness, but he did not.