In what sense did Paul forgive the offender in 2 Corinthians 2:10?
Paul’s forgiveness was not an exercise of personal authority to absolve sin, since only Christ can forgive sin. He forgave in the person of Christ, concurring with them when they restored and forgave the offender for their sakes, so Satan would not gain an advantage.
Les explains that Paul had absolutely no power to forgive sin; no one does but Christ Himself. Therefore, when Paul says in verse 10, “if I forgave anything… I forgave it in the person of Christ,” he was not claiming to absolve the man by his own authority. In the name of Christ, he could agree with them that when they had restored and forgiven this individual, he could concur. Paul also wrote so they would prove their obedience in all things and deal with the immoral situation rather than ignore it. The real purpose of bringing the failed individual to restoration was to keep Satan from getting the upper hand, lest Satan gain an advantage not only over that individual but over all of us.
To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
More Questions
Did Paul have the power to forgive sins?
Paul had absolutely no power to forgive sin, and no one else does either — only Christ Himself can forgive sin.
How could Paul forgive the offender if he had no power to forgive sin?
Although Paul had no power to forgive sin, in the name of Christ he could agree with the Corinthians and concur with them when they had restored and forgiven this individual.
How could Paul forgive the man in the person of Christ if he had no power to forgive sins?
Although Paul could not forgive sin himself, in the name of Christ he could agree with the Corinthians when they restored and forgave the individual.