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2 Corinthians 7 – Commentary

Bible Text:

2 Corinthians 7:10-16 (ESV)

¹⁰ For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. ¹¹ For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. ¹² So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. ¹³ Therefore we are comforted.

And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. ¹⁴ For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. ¹⁵ And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 

¹⁶ I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Reflection & Application 

2 Corinthians 7:10-16

“‘Repentance’ includes both the remorse that comes from recognizing that one has wronged God and its consequent resolve to reverse one’s behavior as seen in the first steps in that new direction. Therefore, though its consequences are long-term, repentance is indicated by an initial change in both attitude and action.” [1]

“A godly sorrow produces a true repentance, and a true repentance is one which demonstrates its sorrow by its deeds.” [2]

• What does godly grief produce?  What does this tell me about the process of repentance?
• What can I learn from the fact that, through their treatment of Titus, Apostle Paul was convinced of their genuine repentance? What is my attitude towards people God uses to initiate repentance?

[1]   Scott J. Hafemann, “Commentary on 2 Corinthians” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 42-11. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[2]  William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians., Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. (Philadelphia:  Westminster Press, 1975). 227.