ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 2 v11

AVOID DESPAIR. AMBROSIASTER: Paul did not want this brother, being filled with sorrow and being rigorously excluded from the love of the church, to despair of himself. The devil, who is always subtle in his tricks, would then see that this man’s mind was an easy prey, approach him and suggest that at least he should enjoy the things of the present, given that he has been denied any hope of future reward. Thus the brother would perish, being possessed by the devil, even though an opportunity for repentance had been given him. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

TO DENY SATAN AN ADVANTAGE. CHRYSOSTOM: Satan can destroy even under the show of piety. For he can destroy not only by leading into fornication but even by the opposite, the immoderate sorrow which can follow on repentance for it. To take us by sin is his proper work, but to ensnare us in our repentance is an even more subtle disgrace, because that is our weapon, not his. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 4.5.

SATAN’S DESIGNS. DIDYMUS THE BLIND: The problem is not merely to recognize Satan’s designs but to play into them. Paul knows their dynamics, not so as to be engaged in them but so as not to be entrapped by them. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.