Second Letter to the Corinthians -- Chapter 7
Having thoroughly urged the Corinthians to avoid any unions with the lies and false teachings of the world Paul begins his next section by once again reminding us of this fact: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). We have the sure promises of God’s Word and therefore we must respect its proclamation by keeping ourselves in its purity. The destructive lies of false teachers corrupt not only our spirit but also our bodies which are God’s temple. False teachings destroy faith which then leads to a sinful living for “me” and no longer for God’s will alone. The Scriptures desire us to be clean throughout our entire lives out of reverence to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. This urging is not one of self-righteousness, but it is the call to a gracious response of obedience to the grace God has given us in the Cross. “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1). “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
Paul continues by reiterating the fact that in his proclamation he has been nothing but honest, sincere, and truthful, and thereby he wishes the Corinthians to make room for him in their hearts: “Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds” (2 Corinthians 7:2-4). Paul wants the Corinthians to know he is very proud of them despite all the stern admonitions and warnings he has had to give them. All that he has said to them has not been to condemn them but in order to strengthen them in the faith. Because Paul cares for the Corinthians so much he is willing to stick it out for them whether in life or in death. Even though they were sometimes immature in their faith the Corinthians had continued to support and care for Paul when he needed it most, and for this he was forever grateful. “For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever” (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).
As he continues on Paul discusses the harshness of the Law that he has been forced to apply to the Corinthians out of need and love: “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it” (2 Corinthians 7:8). Paul has no regrets about the sorrow he may have caused thru the harsh admonitions of his previous letter. “Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us” (2 Corinthians 7:8-9). At one point Paul was concerned that he may have been too hard on the Corinthians but now he is assured that what he did was essential to God’s will. It is God’s will that each of us be made sorrowful in the Law so that thru it we might be guided and led to repentance, turning away from sin and “me” towards the help and aide of God in Jesus Christ alone. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15). “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). There is no doubt that God desires to work repentance, humility, contrition, and brokenness in our lives thru His Law so that we might not be comfortable in our sin. Repentance is an essential part of the Scriptural message. However it is very important for us to realize that God alone grants and works repentance thru His Law so that we might be driven into the arms of the Gospel and find life. “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). No man can see his sin and turn from it on his own; it takes the work of God thru His Law and His Spirit to bring about full repentance. It is therefore the duty of all ministers of the Word to apply the Law as necessary so that men might be led to turn from their sin toward God. “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). When we teach men the immutable will and Law of God we will find that God will use this to bring men to repentance, turning them away from their evil ways. “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you” (Psalm 51:13). “When the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin” (Jeremiah 36:3).
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Paul reiterates that godly sorrow (sorrow caused by the hammer of God’s Law) leads men to salvation but also tells us there is another type of sorrow that brings death. This sorrow is not caused by God’s Law but is a sorrow caused by the world when things in life don’t go according to our desires. It is this sorrow that leads many to commit suicide when they feel they have lost control of their life and have nothing to live for. Judas is the prime Biblical example of this worldly sorrow: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood’…Then he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:3-5). Judas’ sorrow was not a result of God’s Law leading him to repentance but was a result of his lost hope in the face of his own failure and loss of control in life. If his sorrow would have been the leading of God’s Law Judas would have been driven to Christ in repentance, however his sorrow only drove him further away from Christ and to his own demise. The distinct difference is that godly sorrow softens the hearts of men before God almighty while worldly sorrow only hardens the hearts of men in their rebellion. In the Scriptures we also have the example of the young rich man whom Christ confronted with the full Law of God: “At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:22). This young man’s sorrow was not the godly sorrow of the Law working on his heart but it was a worldly sorrow caused by his attachment to his wealth. If it had been a godly sorrow the young man would have been sorrowed but then he would have turned towards Christ in broken humility, instead he turned away from Christ because of his attachment to his wealth. “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods” (Psalm 16:4). Worldly sorrow only increases and turns us away from the one true God while godly sorrow is the temporary sorrow that leads us to Christ Jesus. “See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11). This godly sorrow that is a result of God’s Law working on our hearts produces a bounty of great things. This repentance is not only a turning away from ourselves but a drive that pushes us towards the Gospel. Look at Paul’s words: eagerness, alarm, longing, concern, readiness. The Law causes us to steadfastly and fiercely cling to the Gospel as we run away from the life we used to live that brought us death. Instead of despairing in our sorrow we look to God for sweet relief and help.
As he concludes Paul reassures the Corinthians that he wrote such harsh admonitions to them in order to strengthen their faith and encourage their walk. “So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged” (2 Corinthians 7:12-13). Paul’s main goal thru his letter was not just to chastise one individual but to strengthen the entire congregation. Paul desired to use the example of the sin of some in order to reach all of them with God’s Word, breaking down their pride and building up their reliance on God. Ultimately this would encourage not only the Corinthians and Paul but also Titus. “In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 7:13-16). Thru the humble reception of Paul’s chastising and admonitions the Corinthians showed their true colors. Instead of being frustrated and defensive towards Paul and Titus they humbly realized their error and responded with heartfelt obedience. Let us pray that we also have this spirit of meekness that will allow us to receive the chastisement of God’s Law with humility and modesty, seeing that we desperately need its guidance to keep us from the trap of our sins and clinging to the grace of Jesus Christ crucified on our behalf. “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall” (Ezekiel 18:30). “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28).
Paul continues by reiterating the fact that in his proclamation he has been nothing but honest, sincere, and truthful, and thereby he wishes the Corinthians to make room for him in their hearts: “Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds” (2 Corinthians 7:2-4). Paul wants the Corinthians to know he is very proud of them despite all the stern admonitions and warnings he has had to give them. All that he has said to them has not been to condemn them but in order to strengthen them in the faith. Because Paul cares for the Corinthians so much he is willing to stick it out for them whether in life or in death. Even though they were sometimes immature in their faith the Corinthians had continued to support and care for Paul when he needed it most, and for this he was forever grateful. “For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever” (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).
As he continues on Paul discusses the harshness of the Law that he has been forced to apply to the Corinthians out of need and love: “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it” (2 Corinthians 7:8). Paul has no regrets about the sorrow he may have caused thru the harsh admonitions of his previous letter. “Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us” (2 Corinthians 7:8-9). At one point Paul was concerned that he may have been too hard on the Corinthians but now he is assured that what he did was essential to God’s will. It is God’s will that each of us be made sorrowful in the Law so that thru it we might be guided and led to repentance, turning away from sin and “me” towards the help and aide of God in Jesus Christ alone. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15). “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). There is no doubt that God desires to work repentance, humility, contrition, and brokenness in our lives thru His Law so that we might not be comfortable in our sin. Repentance is an essential part of the Scriptural message. However it is very important for us to realize that God alone grants and works repentance thru His Law so that we might be driven into the arms of the Gospel and find life. “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). No man can see his sin and turn from it on his own; it takes the work of God thru His Law and His Spirit to bring about full repentance. It is therefore the duty of all ministers of the Word to apply the Law as necessary so that men might be led to turn from their sin toward God. “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). When we teach men the immutable will and Law of God we will find that God will use this to bring men to repentance, turning them away from their evil ways. “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you” (Psalm 51:13). “When the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin” (Jeremiah 36:3).
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Paul reiterates that godly sorrow (sorrow caused by the hammer of God’s Law) leads men to salvation but also tells us there is another type of sorrow that brings death. This sorrow is not caused by God’s Law but is a sorrow caused by the world when things in life don’t go according to our desires. It is this sorrow that leads many to commit suicide when they feel they have lost control of their life and have nothing to live for. Judas is the prime Biblical example of this worldly sorrow: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood’…Then he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:3-5). Judas’ sorrow was not a result of God’s Law leading him to repentance but was a result of his lost hope in the face of his own failure and loss of control in life. If his sorrow would have been the leading of God’s Law Judas would have been driven to Christ in repentance, however his sorrow only drove him further away from Christ and to his own demise. The distinct difference is that godly sorrow softens the hearts of men before God almighty while worldly sorrow only hardens the hearts of men in their rebellion. In the Scriptures we also have the example of the young rich man whom Christ confronted with the full Law of God: “At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:22). This young man’s sorrow was not the godly sorrow of the Law working on his heart but it was a worldly sorrow caused by his attachment to his wealth. If it had been a godly sorrow the young man would have been sorrowed but then he would have turned towards Christ in broken humility, instead he turned away from Christ because of his attachment to his wealth. “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods” (Psalm 16:4). Worldly sorrow only increases and turns us away from the one true God while godly sorrow is the temporary sorrow that leads us to Christ Jesus. “See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11). This godly sorrow that is a result of God’s Law working on our hearts produces a bounty of great things. This repentance is not only a turning away from ourselves but a drive that pushes us towards the Gospel. Look at Paul’s words: eagerness, alarm, longing, concern, readiness. The Law causes us to steadfastly and fiercely cling to the Gospel as we run away from the life we used to live that brought us death. Instead of despairing in our sorrow we look to God for sweet relief and help.
As he concludes Paul reassures the Corinthians that he wrote such harsh admonitions to them in order to strengthen their faith and encourage their walk. “So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged” (2 Corinthians 7:12-13). Paul’s main goal thru his letter was not just to chastise one individual but to strengthen the entire congregation. Paul desired to use the example of the sin of some in order to reach all of them with God’s Word, breaking down their pride and building up their reliance on God. Ultimately this would encourage not only the Corinthians and Paul but also Titus. “In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 7:13-16). Thru the humble reception of Paul’s chastising and admonitions the Corinthians showed their true colors. Instead of being frustrated and defensive towards Paul and Titus they humbly realized their error and responded with heartfelt obedience. Let us pray that we also have this spirit of meekness that will allow us to receive the chastisement of God’s Law with humility and modesty, seeing that we desperately need its guidance to keep us from the trap of our sins and clinging to the grace of Jesus Christ crucified on our behalf. “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall” (Ezekiel 18:30). “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28).
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