The church can be a place of hurt. Sometimes it is caused very unintentionally and others times it can be caused by clear sin.

There was someone in the Corinthian church whose sinful actions had caused considerable hurt. It appears the person had been excluded from the fellowship for a period of time to correct him (v6). Paul teaches that that proper strong action now needs to be followed by gentle forgiving actions so that the person can be restored (v7-8).

It is always a great challenge in our dealing both in our homes and in our church, as to when we need to be particularly strong with people and their sin, and when we need to be particularly gentle and forgiving.

Paul speaks about how as believers we should have the aroma of Christ (v15-16). For some this will be very attractive and pleasing but for others it will be very unpleasant as it confronts them with their sin, guilt and judgment.

Our prayer should always be that in our lives people see more and more of Christ, and less and less of our old sinful person.