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The man Paul is referring to in this chapter was most likely the same man who was having an incestuous affair when Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians. There are a few important details to consider regarding Paul’s response to this situation.
First, Paul gave the Corinthians time to address the situation. Often, we pressure and bully people into repentance when they don’t really mean it. Paul could have gone to Corinth and confronted this man face to face, but he didn’t.
“Paul wisely considered that considering all the circumstances, a letter would be better than a personal visit. A letter would lay out Paul’s heart, yet not give as much opportunity for the deterioration of their relationship. It would give them room to repent and get right with God and Paul again.”
David Guzik
Second, Paul’s intention is clear. He wants to love the people of Corinth, not cause drama in their relationship. There are many Christians today who allow their emotions to overrule their relationship. They view a heated confrontation as the only solution to such an issue. They believe it is their duty and “right” to lay that person out with the truth. We get a much different picture here in Paul’s writing. Everything that he did was guided by love. In fact, he even states that this incestuous man has “not caused sorrow to me, but in some degree to all of you.” Paul was urging the church to forgive this repentant man as he already had.
Finally, Paul knew this was a plot of the enemy to divide and destroy the church. Satan would love nothing more than for the church to tolerate such a sin. On the flip side, Satan would be equally pleased if this church cast this man from their body and never accepted him back, even after repentance. Paul understood the church needed to exercise both grace and truth.
When we look around, it seems as if the enemy is winning the majority of these battles. This should never stop us from following the instruction of Paul. Satan cannot win because he’s already been defeated. He may win the battles but he has lost the war and this is why we must cling to Jesus. His victory assures us that even in the darkest times sin and death cannot defeat those who patiently endure in the Name of Jesus Christ!