2 Corinthians7
New King James Version
1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.
3I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
5For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
6Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7and 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.
8For 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.
9Now 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.
10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11For 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.
12Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
13Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.
15And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
16Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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