2 Corinthians 7:10 kjv
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 nkjv
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 niv
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 esv
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 nlt
For 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.
2 Corinthians 7 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 7:9 | ...because you sorrowed in a godly way, that you might suffer loss on our account. | Further explanation of godly sorrow |
| 2 Cor 7:11 | For behold what earnestness this very thing, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be pure in this matter. | Outcome of godly sorrow |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God's working in sorrow |
| Ps 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. | Contrite heart as sacrifice |
| Prov 14:9 | Fools mock at the sacrifice, but among the upright there is favor. | Folly of ignoring sin |
| Isa 66:2 | All these things My hand has made, and so all these things came to be," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look: to him who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. | Favor shown to humble and contrite |
| Jer 31:19 | For after I had turned away, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and also humbled, because I bore the disgrace of my youth. | Shame and humiliation after sin |
| Matt 5:4 | Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. | Blessing of mourning |
| Luke 18:13 | but the tax collector standing a far off would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' | Example of repentance |
| Acts 2:37 | Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” | Consequence of hearing God's word |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, | Call to repentance |
| Heb 12:10 | For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. | God's discipline for our good |
| Heb 12:11 | For the moment all discipline for the present does not seem pleasant but painful, yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. | Painful yet fruitful discipline |
| 1 Pet 1:6 | ...in which you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been tried by various trials, | Trials and rejoicings |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may lift you up. | Humility under God's hand |
| Gen 3:11-13 | And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” | Adam and Eve's blame shifting |
| John 16:8 | And when he comes he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment | Holy Spirit's convicting work |
| Acts 5:1-11 | (Ananias and Sapphira) | Consequence of worldly deceit |
| Eph 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. | Grieving the Spirit |
| James 4:9 | Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. | Call to mourning |
| 1 Cor 5:1-5 | (Incestuous man) | Church discipline and repentance |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Confession and forgiveness |
2 Corinthians 7 verses
2 Corinthians 7 10 Meaning
Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, leaving no regret. Worldly sorrow, however, produces death.
2 Corinthians 7 10 Context
This verse is a pivotal point in 2 Corinthians, summarizing the positive effects of the pain Paul had previously inflicted through his stern letter. The Corinthian church had responded with genuine repentance after a difficult confrontation with Paul. Paul emphasizes that his earlier, seemingly harsh, discipline was not for destruction but was administered "in a godly manner." The contrast is drawn between this beneficial, godly sorrow and worldly sorrow, which offers no true relief. The letter as a whole deals with reaffirming Paul's apostolic authority against false apostles, and the Corinthians' repentance validated his ministry and their genuine faith. The immediate context shows Paul expressing his relief and joy that his pain was justified by their positive response, leading to their purification and zeal.
2 Corinthians 7 10 Word Analysis
λύπη (lypē): sorrow, grief, sadness. Here, it refers to the emotional pain and distress experienced.
κατὰ θεόν (kata theon): according to God, in a manner pleasing to God, divine. This indicates the source and standard of the sorrow – aligning with God's will and perspective.
μετάνοιαν (metanoian): repentance, change of mind. This is the crucial outcome, a deep change of heart and direction.
εἰς σωτηρίαν (eis sōtērian): unto salvation, leading to deliverance. This highlights the ultimate positive consequence of godly sorrow and repentance.
ἀμεταμέλητον (ametamelēton): without regret, not to be repented of. This means the change and its results are lasting and unequivocally good.
λύπη τοῦ κόσμου (lypē tou kosmou): sorrow of the world. This refers to grief arising from worldly concerns, reputation, or fear of consequences rather than from a realization of sin against God.
φέρει (pherei): brings, produces, bears. This active verb shows that each type of sorrow has a definite outcome.
θάνατον (thanaton): death. This signifies spiritual and eternal separation from God, or complete spiritual ruin.
Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow: This is a core distinction. Godly sorrow stems from recognizing one's sin against a holy God, leading to a turning away from sin. Worldly sorrow is characterized by regret over exposure, punishment, or damage to reputation, without a true change of heart towards God.
Repentance Leading to Salvation: The verse clearly links true repentance (born of godly sorrow) with salvation. It's not just feeling bad, but a transformation that aligns one with God.
Unregrettable Salvation: The adjective "unregrettable" emphasizes the finality and permanence of the salvation achieved through godly repentance. There's no looking back with regret on the salvation received.
Deathly Nature of Worldly Sorrow: Worldly sorrow, conversely, leads to "death." This suggests a hardening of the heart, spiritual decay, and eventual eternal consequence if not repented of.
2 Corinthians 7 10 Bonus Section
The concept of "godly sorrow" can be further understood by observing its manifestation in biblical characters. David’s penitential psalms, like Psalm 51, following his sin with Bathsheba, exemplify this deep grief over offending God, leading to a plea for cleansing and restoration. The tax collector in the parable (Luke 18) who "beat his breast" with humility and cried, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" is another picture of godly sorrow leading to repentance. The Thessalonians' earnest response to Paul's stern word, as described in this chapter, serves as a direct example for the church, showing that pain inflicted for righteousness can yield sweet fruit.
2 Corinthians 7 10 Commentary
Godly sorrow is a divine gift, acknowledging wrongdoing against God's holiness, resulting in a genuine, life-altering repentance that secures lasting salvation. It’s a profound change of mind and heart that does not require any regret later. In contrast, sorrow that stems from worldly shame, the fear of man, or mere inconvenience—like the sorrow of Satan, as often inferred—ultimately leads to spiritual death and destruction. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of true conversion and the enduring power of God’s forgiveness. The Corinthians’ corrected behavior evidenced the authenticity of their godly sorrow.