Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 187
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180 LIFE OF PAUL . afterleavingEphesus,he couldnothavewithheldthereproofthattheircoursedeserved. Had theythenresistedhim,thepower ofGod ,through him,would have been visitedupon theevilwork-ers. God saw that thiscoursewas not proper at that time, and guided his servantin another direction. He had senthisfirstepistletopresent beforethem the evilof theircourse, thatthey might manifest repentance, and take action againstthosewho were disgracingthechurchby their lascivious conduct . It was through the counselof God that he had beenturned away from his originalpurposeof visitingthem , so that when he shouldgo tothem , itwould not be with the rod of correction,but with love,approval,and the spiritof meekness. He had feltthat more could be gained by his letterthan by hispresenceat thattime. He had admonishedthem to put away theevilsexisting among them, beforehe shouldvisitCorinthin person . His compassionforthem isevincedby hisadvice that the ones who had been dealt with for theirsins,havinggivenproofoftheirrepentance, shouldbe receivedwithloveand kindness. They were at libertyto act in his behalftowardthe repentingsinner. If they could forgiveand acceptthe penitent, he,actingin Christ'sstead, would ratifytheiraction. Thus theapostleshows his confidencein the wisdom of the church, and recognizestheirauthorityto receiveagaininto theirfellowshipthosewho had once injuredthe causeby theirwickedcourse,buthad now become trulypenitent. Paul'sopposersin thechurchmade useagainst him of hisfailureto visitCorinthaccordingto