7. So that contrariwise ye (ought) rather to forgive (him) and comfort (liim), lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
The consequence of what is expressed in v. 8 is indicated by the words so that. ' The punishment being sufficient, the consequence is that, instead of its being increased or continued, you should forgive and comfort the offender.' As the apostle seems to indicate what ought to be done, most commentators supply before the infinitives xa-piaraa-^ai koI TrapaKokio-at the word hd or Setv, ' it is necessary to forgive and comfort.' The infinitive itself, however, often expresses, after verbs of saying, and the like, not what is, but what should be, e. g. Xeyovres TrepiTifxvea^aL^ saying you ought to he circumcised. Acts 15, 24. 21, 4. 21. Winer., p. 371, says that neither of these modes of explanation is necessary, as the infinitives may be connected immediately with tKavoV, ' The reproof is sufficient — in order to your pardoning and comforting him.' The deli- cacy of the apostle towards this offender is indicated by his abstaining either from naming him, or designating him as he had before done, 1 Cor. 5, 13, as that toicked person. He re- fers to him simply as such an one., without any appellation which could wound his feelings. The apostle combined, there- fore, the strictest fidelity with the greatest tenderness. As long as the offender was impenitent and persisted in his ot- fence, Paul insisted upon the se^'erest punishment. As soon as he acknowledged and forsook his sin, he became his earnest advocate. Lest he should be swalloioed tip icith overmuch sorroio^ that is, lest he should be driven to despair and thus destroyed. Undue severity is as much to be avoided as undue leniency. The character which Paul here exhibits reflects the image of our heavenly Father. His word is filled with de- nunciations against impenitent sinners, and at the same time with assurances of unbounded j^ity and tenderness towards the penitent. He never breaks the bruised reed or quenches the smoking flax.
8. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm (}^our) love towards him.
The connection is either with v. 6, ' His punishment is suf- ficient— wherefore confirm your love towards him ; ' or with what immediately precedes. ' There is danger of his being