2 Corinthians 7

Saturday, 19 September 2015

For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:11

Paul’s words in this verse show the fulfillment of the words of the previous verse in the believers at Corinth. That verse said, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted…” And sure enough, Paul confirms that this has been evidenced in them as seen in the words, “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner.”

After this introductory statement, he lists the things which he had heard about from Titus concerning them. He begins with, “What diligence it produced in you.” The word he uses indicates speed or haste. They quickly made every effort to correct those things which were wrong and to restore the congregation to a doctrinally sound one.

“What clearing of yourselves” is the Greek word apologia. It is a logical defense of the actions they have taken. The word is used particularly in a court of law when clearing oneself of charges. In the case of the Corinthians, they took necessary action and have made their defense based on the actions they took.

“What indignation” uses a word, aganaktésis, which is found only here in the NT. The indignation certainly wasn’t against Paul or his words of correction, and they were probably not against the offender directly either. Rather, based on Paul’s words, their indignation arose against the sin which existed. Once it was brought to their eyes, they realized the seriousness of it.

“What fear” wouldn’t be connected to condemnation. Paul writes elsewhere that there is now no condemnation for the believer in Christ. However, for the sake of the church, there was fear. It is what any congregant should feel as they see sin entering the body. As Paul says in Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” In the book of Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus speaks of the consequences of a church when it departs from sound doctrine. The congregation in Corinth feared and so they made the necessary corrections.

“What vehement desire” indicates their desire to clear their name and to be shown in right standing before the Lord and in the eyes of their beloved Apostle Paul. He was as a father in the faith to them and his words touched at their very heart. Paul was their faithful friend and they worked towards receiving his approval of their correct doctrine.

“What zeal” must certainly be referring to their desire to honor the Lord and bring Him the glory he is due. With the sin which had infected their congregation, they realized this wasn’t possible. And so they zealously worked to get the matter corrected.

“What vindication!” The KJV has the most unfortunate rendering here of, “What revenge!” This is either an anachronism, or it is simply a mistranslation. Revenge is not the idea here but rather exoneration. They had worked to be exonerated of the offense which existed in their congregation. Paul’s words show that they had, in fact, accomplished this.

He sums up with the thought with, “In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” The Corinthians had worked diligently to clear their names individually and collectively so that they would be a doctrinally sound congregation, living in accord with the admonishments and exhortations of their beloved brother Paul. They did this because they knew that he carried with him the authority of their beloved Lord and Savior.

Life application: Jesus speaks strong words of warning to the seven churches that He addresses in Revelation. In those words of warning are the corrections they need in order to be in a right relationship with Him. Take time to read those seven letters and to see if your own congregation falls short in any precept mentioned there. If so, be sure to bring it to the attention of the elders or pastor. Jesus loves us enough to warn us in advance of what is necessary to be in a right standing with Him. Let us love Him enough to be obedient to His words.

Heavenly Father, I sure wish churches would take time to read the seven letters to the seven churches which are contained in Revelation 2 and 3. It is appalling to see the moral perversion, wickedness, and lack of love for the commands of Christ which permeate the churches of the world today. How many have already had their lampstands removed? How many are heading there now? Open our eyes Lord! Open our hearts Lord! Give us the desire to turn our congregations back to holy and right living. Amen.

Friday, 18 September 2015

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Many English translations deviate from the Greek in the structure of this verse. There is no adverb in it. Using the word “godly” causes the verse to be cumbersome and unnatural. The New Living Translation makes it much easier to understand –

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

The “godly sorrow” then that Paul is speaking of is a sorrow that explains verses 8 and 9. Paul made them sorry with his letter, but there was a good reason for it. When they regretted of their ways and then repented, the purpose was realized. This is exactly what Paul is now explaining to them. Through the sorrow that God would want in them, they repented of their actions. It is a repentance that would not be regretted because it was in line with what God intended for them in the first place.

In a non-believer, such sorrow will lead towards salvation. In a believer, it will lead towards restoration and renewed fraternity between God and His wayward child. For the most part, Paul was writing his letter to saved believers at Corinth, but how could a non-believer come to know Christ with no correct example to follow? Therefore, this “salvation” isn’t speaking of those who were already saved, but of those who still needed to be saved. Those who repent will not regret of their repentance because it will lead to salvation.

It must be remembered though that salvation is based on faith in what Christ did, not on works. One cannot be saved by merely repenting from sin. If a drunk gives up drinking and yet has no faith in Christ, he will never be saved. We cannot use this verse as a verse which says “repentance leads to salvation” in and of itself. Instead it is the grace of Christ which saves. The repentance of a sin may lead to faith in Him, or it may not. Either way, it is only by grace through faith that one is saved.

On the other hand, there is a sorrow of the world that he also writes about. There are many types of sorrows in the natural world. If we are sorry over losing a bank account full of money, that doesn’t lead us to God. Instead, it just leads us to frustration and bitterness. If we are sorry over losing our girlfriend, that hasn’t helped us in our spiritual life at all. Instead, it is simply a sorrow which is natural and of this world.

Or let’s go back and revisit the drunk from the previous paragraph. If he is sorry for being a drunk because it led him to lose his job, he may give up drinking and get his job back. In this, he may become proud and say, “Look at what I have done.” This sorrow then only produced death in him. Ultimately, through such sorrow there can only be regret. In the end, it produces nothing concerning salvation, but it continues to produce death in the unbeliever.

Life application: Paul’s words concerning the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience are directed towards things which are contrary to His holy character and which separate us from Him. And so we can see that not all sorrow is bad. Those who refuse to show sorrow over their sin show that they have no care or regard for their Creator. Only when we have sorrow for our actions can we turn from them and be saved from them.

Heavenly Father, please break our hearts over the secret sins of our lives. Help us to be sorrowful for doing that which is displeasing to You and help us to turn from those things so that we will bring joy to Your heart. You have given us Your word which tells us what You desire, but our hearts are hard and calloused. And so soften us and turn us to the right, holy, and pure living which will bring Your favor and also great reward! Amen.

Thursday, 17 September 2015

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 2 Corinthians 7:9

Paul now introduces repentance of the Corinthians into his thoughts. Unfortunately, the KJV makes the entire thought convoluted by using the term “repent” in both the previous verse and this one –

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
⁹ Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.”

However, two different words are used in verses 8 and 9. The “repent” of verse 8, is more appropriately “regret.” Now in verse 9, it is correctly rendered “repentance.” This might seem like hair-splitting, but Paul is making a point concerning emotions and doctrine which needs to be carefully worded.

He begins with the thought, “Now I rejoice.” His heart has been made to flow with joy because of the situation at hand. The letter had made the Corinthians become sorrowful and to regret their actions. Now, to ensure that they understand that he wasn’t happy about their sorrow, but rather the regret which the sorrow led to, he adds in, “…not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance.” In regretting their actions, they had in turn repented of them.” This is the intent of discipline and words of correction, and in this case it has worked.

To show this, he says, “For you were made sorry in a godly manner.” There are different reasons for sorrow. In the case of what has occurred, their sorrow is based on a right response to proper chastisement. All we need to do is think of our own children. If we punish them for stealing, they will be sorrowful. If they repent of their stealing and steal no longer, then they have united their regret with true repentance. This is the same line of thought that Paul conveys here. The parents aren’t happy about their child’s sorrow, but they are happy about what the sorrow has led to.

Paul finishes this thought with, “… that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.” What he is saying is that no true harm came to the Corinthians by Paul’s letter of correction. Rather than loss, it is the intent of him and the other apostles that they receive gain, not suffer loss. When correction is properly acted upon, then gain is the result. Such is the case now with the Corinthians.

Life application: It can be difficult to punish those around us that we love. But it is at times necessary. Children need right direction and even stern correction to keep them from straying into even worse situations. Those in the church will likewise need correction when they stray from what is acceptable to the Lord as is revealed in His word. When a pastor or group of church members has determined correction is necessary, be ready to evaluate the situation and support the decision if it is truly in line with precepts laid out in the Bible.

Heavenly Father, how difficult it is to receive correction for things we have done wrong, but Your word tells us that we should rejoice when we are chastened because You are dealing with us as sons. You discipline us according to what is best and never out of vindictiveness. Thank You for Your kind hand of correction up us. Help us to take such times in the proper light and to adjust our actions so that we are completely pleasing to You. Amen.

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 2 Corinthians 7:8

Paul now refers to the previous letter that he sent to them by saying, “For even if I made you sorry with my letter…” The KJV erringly states “with a letter.” There is an article in front of “letter” and therefore either “the letter” or “my letter” is appropriate here. He isn’t referring to any letter, but to the specific letter which brought about their sadness.

In having sent it, sorrow came upon the recipients. Despite this, Paul could not feel regret over the sternness of the words he used. However, he does qualify his thought by noting that “I did regret it.” At first, he realized that his words had been taken as a point of grief and anxiety by the Corinthians and he felt a bit remorseful about his comments. But when he saw the temporary nature of their remorse and the quick turning about in their conduct, he realized that no true regret was necessary.

This is explained clearly in his words, “For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.” Paul had no intention of bringing permanent unhappiness to the Corinthians. Instead, he intended to bring about true correction leading to restoration. When it became evident that this had happened, instead of regret, he certainly felt relief.

Life application: Sometimes a stern approach is necessary to wake someone, or even a group of people, up from their slumber. In many parts of the Bible, this is exactly what the Lord does for His people. He sends them sternness in order for them to turn back to Him. When the intended correction is realized, there can only be joy all around.

Heavenly Father, Your word is filled with examples of extremely direct rebuke towards Your people in an attempt to get them to wake up, turn back to You, and proceed on a correct path. When correction is necessary, You are shown to hand it out. Israel was to learn this through two exiles and much grief. Help me to be one who is firm on doctrine as well, never yielding to anything less than total adherence to Your word. With this, I know that correction won’t be needed. Guide me, O God. Amen.

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

…and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
2 Corinthians 7:7

Paul just noted that he and those with him were comforted in the coming of Titus. Now building on that, he says that it was “not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you.” They were certainly relieved to finally meet up with Titus, but when they met up, great news about the status of Corinth came with him. The words indicate that when Titus was there, he was greatly encouraged over the effect that Paul’s words from his previous epistle had brought out in them.

For Paul and those with him, the words relayed by Titus “told us of your earnest desire.” This would be referring to the desire for them to make the changes necessary to be right with the Lord and working together as a harmonious congregation. “Your mourning” indicates that the desired change was sincere. The word Paul uses for “mourning” is odurmos. It is found only here and in Matthew 2:18 and it indicates an actual audible lamentation. They literally broke down and wept at how their behavior had been the source of Paul’s needed letter of discipline.

From there he notes “your zeal for me.” The words were taken as they should have been. Instead of a commanding bully, he had written in fatherly tenderness. It was taken in that context and the zeal for those in Corinth to come in line with his fatherly advice was well received. In the hearing of all of this good news, he “rejoiced even more.” His happiness at the coming of Titus was only bolstered by the news he brought!

Life application: The Bible says that the feet of those who bring good news are beautiful. Let us keep our feet looking as lovely as possible at all times!

Heavenly Father, if the feet of those who bring good news are beautiful, then I would ask that you make my feet radiant. Instill in me the burning desire to be a vessel which always carries the good news to others. Help me to be a person who encourages and builds others up, a help in times of need, and above all help me to never fail to proclaim the good news about Jesus to this dark and sin-stained world. With Your hand upon me, may my feet be simply glowing! Amen.