Hoping For Change: It is interesting that I can read this subject again and again and still learn something new!
5 YOU hand such a man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. I guess some can assume(WTBTS) that if one puts the wicked man out then he will be called to repent then at Judgement day he will be saved!
I know that the early congregation were not to associate with such a man the question should be for how long? or do we have the understanding of Paul. I guess in 2 Corinthians 1 Paul wrote his famous letter known as the Teary Letter of Paul. Does this letter express perhaps even Paul could have changed his harsh ways?
For this is what I have decided for myself, not to come to YOU again in sadness. 2 For if I make YOU sad, who indeed is there to cheer me except the one that is made sad by me? 3 And so I wrote this very thing, that, when I come, I may not get sad because of those over whom I ought to rejoice; because I have confidence in all of YOU that the joy I have is that of all of YOU . 4 For out of much tribulation and anguish of heart I wrote YOU withmany tears, not that YOU might be saddened, but that YOU might know the love that I have more especially for YOU . 5 Now if anyone has caused sadness, he has saddened, not me, but all of YOU to an extent—not to be too harsh in what I say.
I find this line rather odd that Paul would say to an extent not to be too harsh in what I say? Otherwise what I said in 1 Corinth you took too harsh!
6 This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such aman, 7 so that, on the contrary now, YOU should kindly forgive and comfort [him], that somehow such a man may not be swallowed up by his being overly sad.
Now, really what is Paul saying? I think it is clear to forgive the man and comfort him do not allow the man or woman to become too sad? Does the WTBTS teach this concept of forgiving? I think not! How many people have done something wrong yet not as delibrate as living with your fathers wife, did you become overly sad? sure! were you ever forgiven by the congregation who just did what the elders did? It is too painful to think about!
8 Therefore I exhort YOU to confirm YOUR love for him.
Now, I am sure that most people out there know that once one has been dfd one is never looked upon the same after reinstatement. Worse yet how many greet you with love back into the congregation?
9 For to this end also I write to ascertain the proof of YOU , whether YOU are obedient in all things.
WTBTS are they obedient in Paul's entire teaching or just a portion?
10 Anything YOU kindly forgive anyone, I do too. In fact, as for me, whatever I have kindly forgiven, if I have kindly forgiven anything, it has been for YOUR sakes in Christ’s sight; 11 that we may not be overreached by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs.
How many people have been swallowed up or overly sad due to the Jehovah's Witnesses harsh unforgiving ways?
And who are the ones overreached by Satan the one put out or the ones in any organization that does not learn to forgive.
I say this because the WTBTS has borrowed shunning from the Catholics and many churches teach it. That is why people are confused other churches teach it but do they have the right concept of Pauls!
Did Paul have the right concept of Jesus? or did he revert back to old ways then in his teary letter perhaps changed his mind!
I really do not know!