“Sharpness” in the Gospel.
It is not generally recognized that ministers have authority to use “sharpness” under certain circumstances; at least it is nearly always complained of when they do. True, it is an authority that may be, and no doubt sometimes is, used indiscreetly. It is authorized only for edification, and not to destruction. 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10. Peter used sharpness when Bro. Ananias and Sr. Sapphira were struck dead for lying; and it was for the edification of the church. It cannot be said that it was for destruction because they were destroyed. They could not have been edified or saved by withholding the censure, and the church would have been greatly endangered by their retention. PAUL's first letter to the Corinthians was quite severe upon offenders; and the second (chap. 1:23) shows that he would probably have been more so had he gone in person. Chap. 13:2, 10 shows that for the same reason he again chose to write instead of visiting them. Chap. 7:8-11 demonstrates the good results of his severity. Yet there were no doubt some in the church who thought he was terribly overbearing and unchristian; these were “sorry” as well as the truly penitent, but not with a “godly sorrow.” Theirs was “the sorrow of the world,” which “worketh death.” Verse 12 shows that the object of the sharpness in his letter was for the good of the main body, which should always have the principal consideration. For the same purpose the apostle enjoins Titus, regarding the Cretans, “Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” Titus 1:13.