2 Corinthians 7 10

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 verses

2 Corinthians 7 10 Meaning

The verse elucidates two distinct types of sorrow, defined by their origin and outcome. "Godly sorrow" stems from grieving over one's sin against God, leading to a genuine change of heart and direction (repentance) that culminates in spiritual deliverance (salvation), a choice that is never regretted. Conversely, "worldly sorrow" is rooted in regret over consequences, self-pity, or superficial embarrassment rather than the offense against God; this kind of sorrow lacks transformative power and ultimately leads to spiritual death and separation from God.

2 Corinthians 7 10 Context

Paul's second letter to the Corinthians addresses ongoing issues within the church, including false apostles, challenges to his authority, and internal strife. In Chapter 7, Paul expresses his profound relief and joy at the positive reception of his previous "severe letter" (possibly a lost letter, or a reference to 1 Corinthians, or a very stern section of an earlier letter). This severe letter had caused the Corinthians grief, but Paul now validates that sorrow as a necessary and ultimately beneficial pain. He notes that their response, witnessed through Titus, indicated genuine repentance and a desire to clear themselves. Verse 10 acts as the theological explanation for why the sorrow he inflicted was good – it was "godly sorrow," which had the desired effect of leading them to a saving repentance, in contrast to superficial remorse that would only lead to further spiritual decay. Historically, Corinth was a cosmopolitan port city, often characterized by moral permissiveness and a mix of Greek philosophical thought and local religious practices, which sometimes diluted the clarity of biblical concepts like repentance.

2 Corinthians 7 10 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction connects the current statement to the preceding verses (2 Cor 7:8-9), explaining the positive outcome of the Corinthians' sorrow caused by Paul's earlier letter. It justifies Paul's decision to cause them pain.
• godly (κατὰ Θεόν - kata Theon): Literally "according to God" or "conforming to God." This is the crucial qualifier for "sorrow." It denotes grief that arises from God's perspective, concerning offense against His holiness and commands, rather than human consequences or embarrassment. It reflects the heart of God regarding sin.
• sorrow (λύπη - lypē): Refers to emotional pain, grief, or sadness. In isolation, it's a neutral term; its nature is determined by whether it is "godly" or "worldly."
• produces (ἐργάζεται - ergazetai): To work, effect, cause, or bring about. It signifies an active, causal relationship – godly sorrow actively results in something specific.
• repentance (μετάνοια - metanoia): A key theological term. It literally means "a change of mind." Biblically, it denotes a radical turning, involving a complete change of attitude, direction, and purpose – away from sin and toward God. It's more than mere remorse; it's a volitional reorientation.
• leading to (εἰς σωτηρίαν - eis sōtērian): Literally "unto salvation." This phrase indicates the purpose and ultimate result of genuine repentance. It clarifies that godly sorrow and the repentance it fosters are instrumental steps towards experiencing God's full salvation.
• salvation (σωτηρία - sōtēria): Deliverance, rescue, preservation. In this context, it signifies spiritual and eternal deliverance from the power and penalty of sin, leading to a reconciled relationship with God.
• without regret (ἀμεταμέλητον - ametamelēton): Unregrettable, irrevocable, unchangeable. This emphasizes that true repentance, leading to salvation, is a decision and state from which one does not waver or later wish to reverse. It contrasts with worldly sorrow, which often leads to further, compounding regret. The repentance (and its resultant salvation) is lasting.
• but (ἡ δὲ - hē de): Introduces a stark contrast.
• worldly (τοῦ κόσμου - tou kosmou): Literally "of the world." Qualifies sorrow as being aligned with the values, concerns, and priorities of this fallen world, distinct from God's perspective. It indicates sorrow focused on temporal consequences or personal loss rather than offense against God.
• sorrow (λύπη - lypē): Again, emotional pain, here characterized as being of the world.
• produces (κατεργάζεται - katergazetai): To work out, accomplish, or bring about effectively. Similar to "produces" earlier, but often with a sense of full completion or negative effect, reinforcing the ultimate, destructive outcome of worldly sorrow.
• death (θάνατον - thanaton): Not necessarily physical death (though it can sometimes precede it, as in Judas's case), but spiritual separation from God, alienation, and eternal ruin. It signifies an inability to experience true life in Christ.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, without regret" This phrase delineates a beneficial and lasting chain reaction. The source and quality of the sorrow (being God-centered) dictate its fruit (genuine change leading to eternal life), which is an enduring good with no reason for future regret.
• "but worldly sorrow produces death" This presents a dire and definitive counter-narrative. Sorrow that arises from merely human concerns, devoid of spiritual insight, fails to bring life or restoration; instead, it ultimately contributes to spiritual deadening and separation from God.

2 Corinthians 7 10 Bonus section

• The Greek word for "without regret" (ἀμεταμέλητον - ametamelēton) is used sparingly in the New Testament (also found in Rom 11:29 where God's gifts and calling are without regret/irrevocable). Its presence here underscores the permanence and unwavering nature of genuine repentance and its outcome. It means that the decision to repent, when fueled by godly sorrow, is so right and aligned with God's will that it is a settled matter from which one will never wish to backtrack.
• Worldly sorrow often manifests as frustration or anger at the pain of consequences, which can then be projected onto others or even God. Godly sorrow, however, is directed inward with humility, focusing on personal responsibility before God, which then opens the door for reconciliation and restoration.
• This verse acts as a vital diagnostic tool for spiritual self-assessment: Is my sorrow over my shortcomings and sins truly about grieving God, or is it primarily about my discomfort, reputation, or loss? The answer reveals the path I am on: life or death.

2 Corinthians 7 10 Commentary

Paul draws a critical distinction between two fundamentally different types of sorrow, illuminating their origins and consequences. Godly sorrow is a profound, God-centered grief for sin because it offends a holy God. This is not self-pity or regret for getting caught, but genuine contrition, born of recognizing the gravity of sin in light of God's character. Such sorrow is the necessary catalyst for metanoia, a transformative change of mind, heart, and life direction – true repentance. This repentance is wholesome and enduring, leading directly to the saving work of God and producing a state of spiritual peace and assurance that one never regrets. It is the sorrow of a repentant David (Ps 51), which found grace.

In stark contrast, worldly sorrow is self-centered, lamenting the negative consequences or embarrassment caused by sin, rather than the sin itself as an affront to God. This form of sorrow, like Judas's remorse (Mt 27:3-5), often leads to despair, bitterness, or further destructive behaviors, because it lacks the divine perspective necessary for true spiritual healing and reorientation. It operates solely within the parameters of this fallen world, failing to reach out to God for forgiveness and new life. Consequently, rather than producing salvation, worldly sorrow pushes one further into spiritual desolation and alienation from God, effectively leading to spiritual death. The verse serves as a crucial theological lens for evaluating the nature of one's own grief over sin, asking whether it moves one towards God's grace or away from it.