Paul adjoins believers in Corinthians to forgive one another so that

In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Paul urges the Corinthian believers to forgive one another, giving this specific reason: "so that we would not be outwitted by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his designs." The purpose of forgiveness, according to Paul, is to prevent Satan from gaining advantage over the Christian community.

The context of this passage involves a person in the Corinthian church who had caused grief to the community (possibly the same person disciplined in 1 Corinthians 5). Paul instructed the church that the punishment imposed by the majority was sufficient, and now they should forgive and comfort the offender to prevent him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:7).

Paul's reasoning was that unforgiveness creates division, bitterness, and broken relationships - all of which serve Satan's purposes. By holding grudges, believers unknowingly cooperate with Satan's strategy to fracture the church from within. Forgiveness, therefore, is not only an act of compassion but a spiritual defence against the enemy's schemes.