2 Corinthians · chapter 7 of 13
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2 Corinthians 7 tells of Paul's relief when Titus brought good news from Corinth. The church had been grieved by his earlier letter, but that grief was godly and produced repentance. Paul distinguishes the grief that leads to salvation from worldly grief, which produces death, and rejoices in their renewed confidence.
This chapter is the emotional turning point of the letter. Until now Paul has explained his ministry and defended his integrity. Now, after the restlessness he described in chapter 2, he tells how Titus, sent to Corinth, returned with news that the church responded well to the painful letter.
Having these promises, Paul urges them to cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. He asks them to make room for him in their hearts: they have wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one. He does not say it to condemn them, for he has said they are in his heart to die together and to live together. He has great confidence in them, he is filled with comfort and overflowing with joy in all his affliction.
He tells how, when he came to Macedonia, he had no rest but was afflicted at every turn: fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted him by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but by the comfort with which Titus had been comforted by them, as he told of their longing, their mourning and their zeal for Paul, so that Paul rejoiced still more.
Paul does not regret having grieved them with his letter. Though he regretted it at first, now he rejoices, not because they were grieved, but because they were grieved into repenting. Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death. That grief produced in them earnestness, indignation, fear, longing, zeal and readiness to set wrong right, and in everything they showed themselves innocent in the matter.
Paul explains that he wrote so that their earnest care for them might be revealed in the sight of God. That is why he was comforted, and rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, whose spirit was refreshed by them all. If he had boasted about them to Titus, he was not put to shame: his boasting proved true. Titus remembers them with affection for their obedience and for how they received him. Paul ends by rejoicing that he can have complete confidence in them.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
With these promises from God, Paul urges them to cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit and to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God. Holiness is the response to what God has promised.
God, who comforts the downcast, comforted Paul by the arrival of Titus. The Lord's comfort came through a brother.
Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly grief produces death. The difference lies in where the pain leads: to God or to being shut up in oneself.
Paul lists the fruits of the Corinthians' repentance: earnestness, eagerness to clear themselves, indignation, fear, longing, zeal and readiness to punish wrong. True repentance can be seen in life.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1
Answer: Without rest, with conflicts outside and fears within. — 2 Corinthians 7:5
Answer: By the coming of Titus. — 2 Corinthians 7:6
Answer: A repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. — 2 Corinthians 7:10
Answer: Death, says Paul. — 2 Corinthians 7:10
Answer: So that their earnest care for Paul and his companions might be revealed to them in the sight of God. — 2 Corinthians 7:12
2 Corinthians 7 helps us tell apart two kinds of pain over sin. There is a pain that shuts itself up in shame and self-reproach, and another that turns to God with a desire to change. In a class or small group it is worth talking about how to accompany someone who feels guilty toward a repentance that restores.
It also reminds us of the importance of being comforted and of comforting. Paul admits his need and thanks God for Titus. We all need someone who visits and listens to us, and we can all be that person for others.
2 Corinthians 7 ends with restored confidence between Paul and the Corinthians. With the relationship healed, in chapter 8 Paul begins to speak of the collection for the poor in Jerusalem and presents the example of generosity of the churches of Macedonia.
An earlier letter that grieved the Corinthians. Many interpreters identify it with 1 Corinthians; others think it was another letter, now lost, written after a painful visit. In either case the text shows that Paul's correction produced repentance.
Regret looks at the past with lament and can end in despair. Godly repentance is a change of direction toward God that produces concrete fruit. Paul describes that fruit in verse 11.
Paul had spoken well of them to Titus and wanted that confidence not to prove false. When Titus saw their obedience, Paul's confidence was vindicated. It shows that encouraging others and trusting them can bring out the best in them.