2 Corinthians7
New Living Translation
1Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone.
3I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you.
4I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.
5When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.
6But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.
7His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!
8I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.
9Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.
10For 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.
11Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.
12My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us.
13We have been greatly encouraged by this. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease.
14I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true!
15Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect.
16I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in 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.
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The promise of God being our Father and we his children (6:18) motivates 7:1's purification.
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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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