2:5–11 In this section, Paul explicitly mentions the person who was chiefly responsible for making his second visit to Corinth so painful and who evoked the writing of the tearful letter (v. 5). Like Moses, Paul wanted to give the rebel(s) a chance to repent before executing great judgment among the people. Since the church had now dealt with this offender, he discusses how the church should forgive him and restore him to fellowship (vv. 6–11).

2:5 The offender is introduced in verse 5 for the first time in the letter. Neither here nor in 7:8–13 does Paul go into any detail about what this unnamed person did to grieve him. Evidently, a member of the Corinthian church insulted Paul personally, while the church stood by passively (cf. 2 Cor. 12:11). Very likely, the offender acted under the…