2 Corinthians7
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man.
3I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together.
4Great 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.
5For 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.
6Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7and 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.
8For 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),
9I 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.
10For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11For 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.
12So 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.
13Therefore 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.
14For 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.
15And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: An exhortation to holiness, and the whole church entreated to bear affection to the apostle. (1–4). He rejoiced in their sorrowing to repentance. (5–11). And in the comfort they and Titus had together. (12–16).
vv1-4
The promises of God are strong reasons for us to follow after holiness; we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. If we hope in God as our Father, we must seek to be holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven. His grace, by the influences of his Spirit, alone can purify, but holiness should be the object of our constant prayers. If the ministers of the gospel are thought contemptible, there is danger lest the gospel itself be despised also; and though ministers must flatter none, yet they must be gentle towards all. Ministers may look for esteem and favour, when they can safely appeal to the people, that they have corrupted no man by false doctrines or flattering speeches; that they have defrauded no man; nor sought to promote their own interests so as to hurt any. It was affection to them made the apostle speak so freely to them, and caused him to glory of them, in all places, and upon all occasions.
vv5-11
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. But God comforts those who are cast down. We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, to God, as the author of all the consolation and good we enjoy. Sorrow according to the will of God, tending to the glory of God, and wrought by the Spirit of God, renders the heart humble, contrite, submissive, disposed to mortify every sin, and to walk in newness of life. And this repentance is connected with saving faith in Christ, and an interest in his atonement. There is a great difference between this sorrow of a godly sort, and the sorrow of the world. The happy fruits of true repentance are mentioned. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter and his instruments. It wrought a fear of watchfulness, and a cautious fear of sin. It wrought desire to be reconciled with God. It wrought zeal for duty, and against sin. It wrought revenge against sin and their own folly, by endeavours to make satisfaction for injuries done thereby. Deep humility before God, hatred of all sin, with faith in Christ, a new heart and a new life, make repentance unto salvation. May the Lord bestow it on every one of us.
vv12-16
The apostle was not disappointed concerning them, which he signified to Titus; and he could with joy declare the confidence he had in them for the time to come. Here see the duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the troubles of the pastoral office, by respect and obedience; the former make a due return by his care of them, and cherish the flock by testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness.
Key Words
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἔχω (échō): to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
ταύταις (taútais): (to or with or by, etc.) these
ἐπαγγελία (epangelía): an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
ἀγαπητός (agapētós): beloved
καθαρίζω (katharízō): to cleanse (literally or figuratively)
ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû): him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
μολυσμός (molysmós): a stain; i.e. (figuratively) immorality
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7The 'promises' in 7:1 directly refer back to God's promise to receive us in 6:17.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The promise of God being our Father and we his children (6:18) motivates 7:1's purification.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes Paul's apostolic integrity and defense that he coveted and defrauded no man's goods.
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Parallel account of Paul's restless spirit in Macedonia waiting for news about Corinth.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's previous expression of an enlarged heart and deep affection for the Corinthians.
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Direct connection to the Corinthians being straitened (narrowed) in their own affections.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel structure of Timothy bringing comforting news of faith and longing to Paul.
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Connects back to the foundational theme of God comforting the apostles in all tribulation.
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Textual allusion to 'fightings without, within fears' (the sword without, terror within).
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Identifies 'him that had done the wrong' as the incestuous offender of 1 Corinthians 5.
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Paul's instruction to prove their love before the churches, vindicating his boasting.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul expressing absolute apostolic confidence in the recipient's obedience and cooperative spirit.
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Refers to the anguish and tears with which Paul wrote the painful letter.
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Illuminates receiving representatives of God 'with fear and trembling' (reverent obedience).
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