Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 2 Corinthians » Chapter 7

2 Corinthians 7:1-16 King James Version (KJV)

1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

8 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.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.


2 Corinthians 7:1-16 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Having G2192 therefore G3767 these G5025 promises, G1860 dearly beloved, G27 let us cleanse G2511 ourselves G1438 from G575 all G3956 filthiness G3436 of the flesh G4561 and G2532 spirit, G4151 perfecting G2005 holiness G42 in G1722 the fear G5401 of God. G2316

2 Receive G5562 us; G2248 we have wronged G91 no man, G3762 we have corrupted G5351 no man, G3762 we have defrauded G4122 no man. G3762

3 I speak G3004 not G3756 this to G4314 condemn G2633 you: for G1063 I have said before, G4280 that G3754 ye are G2075 in G1722 our G2257 hearts G2588 to G1519 die G4880 and G2532 live with G4800 you.

4 Great G4183 is my G3427 boldness of speech G3954 toward G4314 you, G5209 great G4183 is my G3427 glorying G2746 of G5228 you: G5216 I am filled G4137 with comfort, G3874 I am exceeding G5248 joyful G5479 in G1909 all G3956 our G2257 tribulation. G2347

5 For, G1063 G2532 when we G2257 were come G2064 into G1519 Macedonia, G3109 our G2257 flesh G4561 had G2192 no G3762 rest, G425 but G235 we were troubled G2346 on G1722 every side; G3956 without G1855 were fightings, G3163 within G2081 were fears. G5401

6 Nevertheless G235 God, G2316 that comforteth G3870 those that are cast down, G5011 comforted G3870 us G2248 by G1722 the coming G3952 of Titus; G5103

7 And G1161 not G3756 by G1722 his G846 coming G3952 only, G3440 but G235 G2532 by G1722 the consolation G3874 wherewith G3739 he was comforted G3870 in G1909 you, G5213 when he told G312 us G2254 your G5216 earnest desire, G1972 your G5216 mourning, G3602 your G5216 fervent mind G2205 toward G5228 me; G1700 so G5620 that I G3165 rejoiced G5463 the more. G3123

8 For G3754 though G1499 I made G3076 you G5209 sorry G3076 with G1722 a letter, G1992 I do G3338 not G3756 repent, G3338 though G1499 I did repent: G3338 for G1063 I perceive G991 that G3754 the same G1565 epistle G1992 hath made G3076 you G5209 sorry, G3076 though it were but G1499 for G4314 a season. G5610

9 Now G3568 I rejoice, G5463 not G3756 that G3754 ye were made sorry, G3076 but G235 that G3754 ye sorrowed G3076 to G1519 repentance: G3341 for G1063 ye were made sorry G3076 after G2596 a godly manner, G2316 that G2443 ye might receive damage G2210 by G1537 us G2257 in G1722 nothing. G3367

10 For G1063 godly G2316 G2596 sorrow G3077 worketh G2716 repentance G3341 to G1519 salvation G4991 not to be repented of: G278 but G1161 the sorrow G3077 of the world G2889 worketh G2716 death. G2288

11 For G1063 behold G2400 this G5124 selfsame thing, G846 that G5209 ye sorrowed G3076 after G2596 a godly sort, G2316 what G4214 carefulness G4710 it wrought G2716 in you, G5213 yea, G235 what clearing of yourselves, G627 yea, G235 what indignation, G24 yea, G235 what fear, G5401 yea, G235 what vehement desire, G1972 yea, G235 what zeal, G2205 yea, G235 what revenge! G1557 In G1722 all G3956 things ye have approved G4921 yourselves G1438 to be G1511 clear G53 in G1722 this matter. G4229

12 Wherefore, G686 though G1499 I wrote G1125 unto you, G5213 I did it not G3756 for his cause G1752 that had done the wrong, G91 nor G3761 for his cause G1752 that suffered wrong, G91 but G235 that G1752 our G2257 care G4710 for G5228 you G5216 in the sight G1799 of God G2316 might appear G5319 unto G4314 you. G5209

13 Therefore G1223 G5124 we were comforted G3870 in G1909 your G5216 comfort: G3874 yea, and G1161 exceedingly G4056 the more G3123 joyed we G5463 for G1909 the joy G5479 of Titus, G5103 because G3754 his G846 spirit G4151 was refreshed G373 by G575 you G5216 all. G3956

14 For G3754 if I have boasted G2744 any thing G1536 to him G846 of G5228 you, G5216 I am G2617 not G3756 ashamed; G2617 but G235 as G5613 we spake G2980 all things G3956 to you G5213 in G1722 truth, G225 even G2532 so G3779 our G2257 boasting, G2746 which G3588 I made before G1909 Titus, G5103 is found G1096 a truth. G225

15 And G2532 his G846 inward affection G4698 is G2076 more abundant G4056 toward G1519 you, G5209 whilst he remembereth G363 the obedience G5218 of you G5216 all, G3956 how G5613 with G3326 fear G5401 and G2532 trembling G5156 ye received G1209 him. G846

16 I rejoice G5463 therefore that G3754 I have confidence G2292 in G1722 you G5213 in G1722 all G3956 things.


2 Corinthians 7:1-16 American Standard (ASV)

1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man.

3 I say it not to condemn `you': for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together.

4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

5 For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but `we were' afflicted on every side; without `were' fightings, within `were' fears.

6 Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, `even' God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more.

8 For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret `it' (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),

9 I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, `a repentance' which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11 For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

12 So although I wrote unto you, I `wrote' not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.

13 Therefore we have been comforted: And in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all.

14 For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

15 And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.


2 Corinthians 7:1-16 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Having, then, these promises, beloved, may we cleanse ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God;

2 receive us; no one did we wrong; no one did we waste; no one did we defraud;

3 not to condemn you do I say `it', for I have said before that in our hearts ye are to die with and to live with;

4 great `is' my freedom of speech unto you, great my glory on your behalf; I have been filled with the comfort, I overabound with the joy on all our tribulation,

5 for also we, having come to Macedonia, no relaxation hath our flesh had, but on every side we are in tribulation, without `are' fightings, within -- fears;

6 but He who is comforting the cast-down -- God -- He did comfort us in the presence of Titus;

7 and not only in his presence, but also in the comfort with which he was comforted over you, declaring to us your longing desire, your lamentation, your zeal for me, so that the more I did rejoice,

8 because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not repent -- if even I did repent -- for I perceive that the letter, even if for an hour, did make you sorry.

9 I now do rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry to reformation, for ye were made sorry toward God, that in nothing ye might receive damage from us;

10 for the sorrow toward God reformation to salvation not to be repented of doth work, and the sorrow of the world doth work death,

11 for, lo, this same thing -- your being made sorry toward God -- how much diligence it doth work in you! but defence, but displeasure, but fear, but longing desire, but zeal, but revenge; in every thing ye did approve yourselves to be pure in the matter.

12 If, then, I also wrote to you -- not for his cause who did wrong, nor for his cause who did suffer wrong, but for our diligence in your behalf being manifested unto you before God --

13 because of this we have been comforted in your comfort, and more abundantly the more did we rejoice in the joy of Titus, that his spirit hath been refreshed from you all;

14 because if anything to him in your behalf I have boasted, I was not put to shame; but as all things in truth we did speak to you, so also our boasting before Titus became truth,

15 and his tender affection is more abundantly toward you, remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye did receive him;

16 I rejoice, therefore, that in everything I have courage in you.


2 Corinthians 7:1-16 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God's fear.

2 Receive us: we have injured no one, we have ruined no one, we have made gain of no one.

3 I do not speak for condemnation, for I have already said that ye are in our hearts, to die together, and live together.

4 Great [is] my boldness towards you, great my exulting in respect of you; I am filled with encouragement; I overabound in joy under all our affliction.

5 For indeed, when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but [we were] afflicted in every way; without combats, within fears.

6 But he who encourages those that are [brought] low, [even] God, encouraged us by the coming of Titus;

7 and not by his coming only, but also through the encouragement with which he was encouraged as to you; relating to us your ardent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I the more rejoiced.

8 For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret [it], if even I have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even [it were] only for a time, grieved you.

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye have been grieved, but that ye have been grieved to repentance; for ye have been grieved according to God, that in nothing ye might be injured by us.

10 For grief according to God works repentance to salvation, never to be regretted; but the grief of the world works death.

11 For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved according to God, how much diligence it wrought in *you*, but [what] excusing [of yourselves], but [what] indignation, but [what] fear, but [what] ardent desire, but [what] zeal, but [what] vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

12 So then, if also I wrote to you, [it was] not for the sake of him that injured, nor for the sake of him that was injured, but for the sake of our diligent zeal for you being manifested to you before God.

13 For this reason we have been encouraged. And we the rather rejoiced in our encouragement more abundantly by reason of the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

14 Because if I boasted to him anything about you, I have not been put to shame; but as we have spoken to you all things in truth, so also our boasting to Titus has been [the] truth;

15 and his affections are more abundantly towards you, calling to mind the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16 I rejoice that in everything I am confident as to you.


2 Corinthians 7:1-16 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.

3 I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.

4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.

5 For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.

6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7 and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.

8 For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.

9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.

11 For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

12 So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.

13 Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

14 For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.

15 His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.

16 I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.


2 Corinthians 7:1-16 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.

2 Let your hearts be open to us: we have done no man wrong, no man has been damaged by us, we have made no profit out of any man,

3 It is not with the purpose of judging you that I say this: for I have said before that you are in our hearts for life and death together.

4 My words to you are without fear, I am full of pride on account of you: I have great comfort and joy in all our troubles.

5 For even when we had come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; there were fightings outside and fears inside.

6 But God who gives comfort to the poor in spirit gave us comfort by the coming of Titus;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the comfort which he had in you, while he gave us word of your desire, your sorrow, your care for me; so that I was still more glad.

8 For though my letter gave you pain, I have no regret for it now, though I had before; for I see that the letter gave you pain, but only for a time.

9 Now I am glad, not that you had sorrow, but that your sorrow was the cause of a change of heart; for yours was a holy sorrow so that you might undergo no loss by us in anything.

10 For the sorrow which God gives is the cause of salvation through a change of heart, in which there is no reason for grief: but the sorrow of the world is a cause of death.

11 For you see what care was produced in you by this very sorrow of yours before God, what clearing of yourselves, what wrath against sin, what fear, what desire, what serious purpose, what punishment. In everything you have made it clear that you are free from sin in this business.

12 So though I sent you a letter, it was not only because of the man who did the wrong, or because of him to whom the wrong was done, but so that your true care for us might be made clear in the eyes of God.

13 So we have been comforted: and we had the greater joy in our comfort because of the joy of Titus, for his spirit had been made glad by you all.

14 For I was not put to shame in anything in which I may have made clear to him my pride in you; but as we said nothing to you but what was true, so the good things which I said to Titus about you were seen by him to be true.

15 And his love to you is the more increased by his memory of you all, how you gave way to his authority, and how you took him to your hearts with fear and honour.

16 It gives me great joy to see you answering to my good opinion of you in every way.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 7

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 7 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 7

This chapter begins with an exhortation to progressive holiness and a due regard to the ministers of the gospel (v. 1-4). Then the apostle returns from a long digression to speak further of the affair concerning the incestuous person, and tells them what comfort he received in his distress about that matter, upon his meeting with Titus (v. 5-7), and how re rejoiced in their repentance, with the evidences thereof (v. 8-11). And, lastly, he concludes with endeavouring to comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had so good an effect (v. 12-16).

2Cr 7:1-4

These verses contain a double exhortation:-

  • I. To make a progress in holiness, or to perfect holiness in the fear of God, v. 1. This exhortation is given with most tender affection to those who were dearly beloved, and enforced by strong arguments, even the consideration of those exceedingly great and precious promises which were mentioned in the former chapter, and which the Corinthians had an interest in and a title to. The promises of God are strong inducements to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely,
    • 1. The dying unto sin, or mortifying our lusts and corruptions: we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. Sin is filthiness, and there are defilements of body and mind. There are sins of the flesh, that are committed with the body, and sins of the spirit, spiritual wickednesses; and we must cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of both, for God is to be glorified both with body and soul.
    • 2. The living unto righteousness and holiness. If we hope God is our Father, we must endeavour to be partakers of his holiness, to be holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. We must be still perfecting holiness, and not be contented with sincerity (which is our gospel perfection), without aiming at sinless perfection, though we shall always come short of it while we are in this world; and this we must do in the fear of God, which is the root and principle of all religion, and there is no holiness without it. Note, Faith and hope in the promises of God must not destroy our fear of God, who taketh pleasure in those that fear him and hope in his mercy.
  • II. To show a due regard to the ministers of the gospel: Receive us, v. 2. Those who labour in the word and doctrine should be had in reputation, and be highly esteemed for their work's sake: and this would be a help to making progress in holiness. If the ministers of the gospel are thought contemptible because of their office, there is danger lest the gospel itself be contemned also. The apostle did not think it any disparagement to court the favour of the Corinthians; and, though we must flatter none, yet we must be gentle towards all. He tells them,
    • 1. He had done nothing to forfeit their esteem and good-will, but was cautious not to do any thing to deserve their ill-will (v. 2): "We have wronged no man: we have done you no harm, but always designed your good.' I have coveted no man's silver, nor gold, nor apparel, said he to the elders of Ephesus, Acts 20:33. "We have corrupted no man, by false doctrines or flattering speeches. We have defrauded no man; we have not sought ourselves, nor to promote our own secular interests by crafty and greedy measures, to the damage of any persons.' This is an appeal like that of Samuel, 1 Sa. 12. Note, Then may ministers the more confidently expect esteem and favour from the people when they can safely appeal to them that they are guilty of nothing that deserves disesteem or displeasure.
    • 2. He did not herein reflect upon them for want of affection to him, v. 3, 4. So tenderly and cautiously did the apostle deal with the Corinthians, among whom there were some who would be glad of any occasion to reproach him, and prejudice the minds of others against him. To prevent any insinuations against him on account of what he had said, as if he intended to charge them with wronging him, or unjust accusations of him for having wronged them, he assures them again of his great affection to them, insomuch that he could spend his last breath at Corinth, and live and die with them, if his business with other churches, and his work as an apostle (which was not to be confined to one place only), would permit him to do so. An he adds it was his great affection to them that made him use such boldness or freedom of speech towards them, and caused him to glory, or make his boast of them, in all places, and upon all occasions, being filled with comfort, and exceedingly joyful in all their tribulations.

2Cr 7:5-11

There seems to be a connection between ch. 2:13 (where the apostle said he had no rest in his spirit when he found not Titus at Troas) and the fifth verse of this chapter: and so great was his affection to the Corinthians, and his concern about their behaviour in relation to the incestuous person, that, in his further travels, he still had no rest till he heard from them. And now he tells them,

  • I. How he was distressed, v. 5. He was troubled when he did not meet with Titus at Troas, and afterwards when for some time he did not meet with him in Macedonia: this was a grief to him, because he could not hear what reception he met with at Corinth, nor how their affairs went forward. And, besides this, they met with other troubles, with incessant storms of persecutions; there were fightings without, or continual contentions with, and opposition from, Jews and Gentiles; and there were fears within, and great concern for such as had embraced the Christian faith, lest they should be corrupted or seduced, and give scandal to others, or be scandalized.
  • II. How he was comforted, v. 6, 7. Here observe,
    • 1. The very coming of Titus was some comfort to him. It was matter of joy to see him, whom he long desired and expected to meet with. The very coming of Titus and his company, who was dear to him as his own son in the common faith (Tit. 1:4), was a great comfort to the apostle in his travels and troubles. But,
    • 2. The good news which Titus brought concerning the Corinthians was matter of greater consolation. He found Titus to be comforted in them; and this filled the apostle with comfort, especially when he acquainted him with their earnest desire to give good satisfaction in the things about which the apostle had written to them; and of their mourning for the scandal that was found among them and the great grief they had caused to others, and their fervent mind or great affection towards the apostle, who had dealt so faithfully with them in reproving their faults: so true is the observation of Solomon (Prov. 28:23), He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue.
    • 3. He ascribes all his comfort to God as the author. It was God who comforted him by the coming of Titus, even the God of all comfort: God, who comforteth those that are cast down, v. 6. Note, We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, unto God, as the author of all the consolation and the good that we enjoy.
  • III. How greatly he rejoiced at their repentance, and the evidences thereof. The apostle was sorry that he had grieved them, that some pious persons among them laid to heart very greatly what he said in his former epistle, or that it was needful he should make those sorry whom he would rather have made glad, v. 8. But now he rejoiced, when he found they had sorrowed to repentance, v. 9. Their sorrow in itself was not the cause of his rejoicing; but the nature of it, and the effect of it (repentance unto salvation, v. 10), made him rejoice; for now it appeared that they had received damage by him in nothing. Their sorrow was but for a season; it was turned into joy, and that joy was durable. Observe here,
    • 1. The antecedent of true repentance is godly sorrow; this worketh repentance. It is not repentance itself, but it is a good preparative to repentance, and in some sense the cause that produces repentance. The offender had great sorrow, he was in danger of being swallowed up with overmuch sorrow; and the society was greatly sorrowful which before was puffed up: and this sorrow of theirs was after a godly manner, or according to God (as it is in the original), that is, it was according to the will of God, tended to the glory of God, and was wrought by the Spirit of God. It was a godly sorrow, because a sorrow for sin, as an offence against God, an instance of ingratitude, and a forfeiture of God's favour. There is a great difference between this sorrow of a godly sort and the sorrow of this world. Godly sorrow produces repentance and reformation, and will end in salvation; but worldly sorrow worketh death. The sorrows of worldly men for worldly things will bring down gray hairs the sooner to the grave, and such a sorrow even for sin as Judas had will have fatal consequences, as his had, which wrought death. Note,
      • (1.) Repentance will be attended with salvation. Therefore,
      • (2.) True penitents will never repent that they have repented, nor of any thing that was conducive thereto.
      • (3.) Humiliation and godly sorrow are previously necessary in order to repentance, and both of them are from God, the giver of all grace.
    • 2. The happy fruits and consequences of true repentance are mentioned (v. 11); and those fruits that are meet for repentance are the best evidences of it. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed too. The Corinthians made it evident that their sorrow was a godly sorrow, and such as wrought repentance, because it wrought in them great carefulness about their souls, and to avoid sin, and please God; it wrought also a clearing of themselves, not by insisting upon their own justification before God, especially while they persisted in their sin, but by endeavours to put away the accursed thing, and so free themselves from the just imputation of approving the evil that had been done. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter and his instruments; it wrought fear, a fear of reverence, a fear of watchfulness, and a fear of distrust, not a distrust of God, but of themselves; an awful fear of God, a cautious fear of sin, and a jealous fear of themselves. It wrought vehement desires after a thorough reformation of what had been amiss, and of reconciliation with God whom they had offended. It wrought zeal, a mixture of love and anger, a zeal for duty, and against sin. It wrought, lastly, revenge against sin and their own folly, by endeavours to make all due satisfaction for injuries that might be done thereby. And thus in all things had they approved themselves to be clear in that matter. Not that they were innocent, but that they were penitent, and therefore clear of guilt before God, who would pardon and not punish them; and they ought no longer to be reproved, much less to be reproached, by men, for what they had truly repented of.

2Cr 7:12-16

In these verses the apostle endeavours to comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had such good effect. And in order thereto,

  • 1. He tells them he had a good design in his former epistle, which might be thought severe, v. 12. It was not chiefly for his cause that did the wrong, not only for his benefit, much less merely that he should be punished; nor was it merely for his cause that suffered wrong, namely, the injured father, and that he might have what satisfaction could be given him; but it was also to manifest his great and sincere concern and care for them, for the whole church, lest that should suffer by letting such a crime, and the scandal thereof, remain among them without due remark and resentment.
  • 2. He acquaints them with the joy of Titus as well as of himself upon the account of their repentance and good behaviour. Titus was rejoiced, and his spirit refreshed, with their comfort, and this comforted and rejoiced the apostle also (v. 13); and, as Titus was comforted while he was with them, so when he remembered his reception among them, expressing their obedience to the apostolical directions, and their fear and trembling at the reproofs that were given them, the thoughts of these things inflamed and increased his affections to them, v. 15. Note, Great comfort and joy follow upon godly sorrow. As sin occasions general grief, so repentance and reformation occasion general joy. Paul was glad, and Titus was glad, and the Corinthians were comforted, and the penitent ought to be comforted; and well may all this joy be on earth, when there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.
  • 3. He concludes this whole matter with expressing the entire confidence he had in them: He was not ashamed of his boasting concerning them to Titus (v. 14); for he was not disappointed in his expectation concerning them, which he signified to Titus, and he could now with great joy declare what confidence he still had in them as to all things, that he did not doubt of their good behaviour for the time to come. Note, It is a great comfort and joy to a faithful minister to have to do with a people whom he can confide in, and who he has reason to hope will comply with every thing he proposes to them that is for the glory of God, the credit of the gospel, and their advantage.