2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us See note on 1 Corinthians 5:10. The word signifies (1) to have more, (2) to be greedy, and hence (3) to overreach, to defraud.

devices The word properly means mental processes, "the product of mind." Meyer. It is translated mindsin ch. 2 Corinthians 3:14 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 11:3; Philippians 4:7, thoughtin ch. 2 Corinthians 10:5. In reference to Satan, all whose thoughts are evil, it may legitimately be translated devices, i e. things which he devised. Luke 22:31; 1 Corinthians 7:5. Cf. 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:12. St Paul's meaning here is that to refuse forgiveness when the time for it had come would be only to give Satan an advantage. The offender had been delivered over to him (see 1 Corinthians 5:5 and notes). Not to release him from the bondage when he was truly repentant would be to afford the enemy of souls an opportunity of which he would not be slow to avail himself. Nothing is so likely to plunge a man into every kind of crime as despair. See notes on 2 Corinthians 2:7.