36 II. CORINTHIANS 2, 6.

it. This, however, is not a necessary inference, because ot TrAeioVes may mean the many^ the whole body considered as many, because composed of many members. There are three views taken of this verse in connection with what follows. In his former letter the apostle had not only commanded the church to excommunicate the person here referred to, but de- clared his OAvn determination to deliver him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. 1 Cor. 5, 5. Grotius supposes that in consequence of that judgment he was seized with some bodily malady, for delivery from which Paul, in this connec- tion, declares his willingness that the Corinthians should pray. Of this, however, the passage gives no intimation. A second view is that the sentence of excommunication had not been carried into effect, but as the reproof administered by many had had the effect of leading the offender to repentance, the apostle here intimates his satisfaction with what the church had done, although his injunctions had not been fully complied with. This is the view of Calvin, Beza, and of many others. In favour of this explanation it is urged that the expression " this punishment " naturally refers to that punishment or reproof which the Corinthians had administered as distinguished from that which he had enjoined; and his saying ^^ this punish- ment," of which he had heard, was enough, implies that he did not wish them to proceed any furtlKir, but rather that they Khould console the penitent by the assurance of their love. On the other hand, however, v. 9 (as well as ch. 1) clearly intimates that the church had rendered a prompt obe- dience to the apostle's directions. The great majority of commentators, therefore, understand the passage to mean that Paul did not wish the excommunication to be continued any longer. As it had produced its desired effect, he was willing that the offender should be restored to the communion of the church. The whole passage indicates that Paul was more lenient than the church, for he exhorts his readers not to be too severe in their treatment of their offending brother. A passage, says Calvin, himself a severe disciplinarian, well to be observed, as it teaches with what equity and clemency the dis- cipline of the church is to be attemjiered ; qua mquitate et dementia temperanda sit disciplina ecclesim. Paul, he adds, was satisfied with the repentance of the offender ; whereas the ancient bishops gave forth their canons requiring a penance of three, or seven years, or even for a life-time, without regard to the contrition of the unhappy victims of their severity.