When the innocent is punished WITHOUT CAUSE, a city can be certain that, not only has she given the devil a foothold, but likewise, because of arrogance, obstinacy, and insolence - REBELLION! so also, has she been OUTWITTED. Though forgiveness is the focal point of this text, the key factor reverberates from the very first word.
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
5) IF anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely.
6) The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient.
7) Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8) I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
9) Another reason I wrote...