2 Corinthians 7:12 kjv
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
2 Corinthians 7:12 nkjv
Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
2 Corinthians 7:12 niv
So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.
2 Corinthians 7:12 esv
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.
2 Corinthians 7:12 nlt
My 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.
2 Corinthians 7 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 7 | "For the sadness which is according to God worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of..." | Eph 5:27 (Christ cleansing the church) |
| 2 Cor 7 | "but the sadness of the world worketh death." | Gal 5:19-21 (Works of the flesh) |
| Prov 14 | "Sorrow is in the way of pleasure, but the end of that way is grief." | Prov 14:13 (Worldly sorrow's outcome) |
| Rom 15 | "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." | Rom 15:3 (Christ's selfless example) |
| 2 Cor 2 | "For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but he which is made sorry by me?" | 2 Cor 2:2 (Paul's changed perspective) |
| Acts 20 | "And when he thus spake, there was the same doubt among them all." | Acts 20:37 (Ephesian elders' reaction) |
| Eph 4 | "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:" | Eph 4:26 (Proper handling of anger) |
| Ps 30 | "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." | Ps 30:5 (Sorrow leading to joy) |
| Matt 5 | "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." | Matt 5:4 (Blessedness of mourning) |
| John 16 | "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you." | John 16:7 (Necessity of Christ's departure) |
| Phil 2 | "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." | Phil 2:3 (Humility in relationships) |
| 1 Thes 2 | "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:" | 1 Thes 2:7 (Paul's tender care) |
| Heb 12 | "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." | Heb 12:11 (Purpose of chastening) |
| Prov 16 | "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." | Prov 16:28 (Consequences of discord) |
| Jas 1 | "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;" | Jas 1:2 (Joy in trials) |
| Luke 17 | "And if thy brother trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." | Luke 17:4 (Forgiveness and repentance) |
| Gal 6 | "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." | Gal 6:1 (Restoring the erring) |
| 1 Cor 11 | "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." | 1 Cor 11:31 (Self-judgment) |
| Rom 8 | "For the spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." | Rom 8:26 (The Spirit's intercession) |
| Acts 2 | "And the heart of the people of Jerusalem was stirred." | Acts 2:37 (Effect of Peter's preaching) |
2 Corinthians 7 verses
2 Corinthians 7 12 Meaning
Paul is asserting that his reason for writing the severe letter was not a desire to cause pain, but rather to reveal a specific truth to the Corinthians: that their godly sorrow would lead to genuine repentance and salvation, and this is the ultimate outcome he sought.
2 Corinthians 7 12 Context
In the preceding verses, Paul expresses his great joy and relief over the positive response he received from the Corinthian church after sending them a letter with stern reproof. They had experienced a profound sorrow because of his words, which led to a powerful demonstration of repentance, self-examination, zeal, and indignation against the wrong that had been committed. This verse serves as the pivotal point where Paul explains the nature and purpose of this sorrow. He contrasts "sadness that is according to God" with "sadness that is of the world," highlighting that the former, though painful, is productive of eternal life.
2 Corinthians 7 12 Word Analysis
- Ὥστε (hōste): Conjunction, meaning "so that," "therefore," or "seeing that." It introduces a conclusion or consequence.
- δέ (de): Adversative conjunction, meaning "but." It marks a contrast with the previous statement or implies a logical sequence.
- εἰς (eis): Preposition, meaning "into" or "to." Here it indicates the result or outcome of the "sadness."
- γ annuelle (g annuelle): Adjective from γ annuelle (g annuelle), meaning "of God" or "according to God." This distinguishes the type of sorrow.
- λύπην (lypēn): Noun, accusative singular of λύπη (lypē), meaning "sadness," "sorrow," "grief," or "pain."
- ὁ (ho): Definite article, masculine nominative singular, "the."
- κατʼ (kat’): Preposition, short for κατὰ (kata), meaning "according to," "against," or "down." Here it signifies "according to."
- εἰς (eis): Preposition, meaning "into." Here it shows the direction or effect of the sorrow.
- μετάνοιαν (metanoian): Noun, accusative singular of μ nemoc (metanoia), meaning "repentance," "a change of mind," "a change of heart," or "turning around." This is the fruit of godly sorrow.
- τὴν (tēn): Definite article, feminine accusative singular, "the."
- ἀμεταμέλητον (ametamelēton): Adjective, accusative singular, from ἀμεταμέλητος (ametamelētos), meaning "not to be regretted," "unregrettable," or "causing no regret." This describes the nature of the repentance.
- σῴζειν (sōzein): Verb, present infinitive active of σῴζω (sōzō), meaning "to save," "to deliver," or "to preserve."
- σῳτηρίαν (sōtērian): Noun, accusative singular of σῳτηρία (sōtēria), meaning "salvation," "deliverance," or "preservation." This is the ultimate goal.
- δὲ (de): Conjunction, "but." Again marking a contrast.
- ἡ (hē): Definite article, feminine nominative singular, "the."
- τοῦ (tou): Definite article, genitive singular, "of the."
- κόσμου (kosmou): Noun, genitive singular of κόσμος (kosmos), meaning "world" or "order." Refers to the "world system" or unregenerate state.
- λύπη (lypē): Noun, nominative singular, "sadness," "sorrow."
- θάνατον (thanaton): Noun, accusative singular of θάνατος (thanatos), meaning "death," referring to spiritual and eternal death.
- ἐργάζεται (ergazetai): Verb, present indicative middle or passive of ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai), meaning "works," "produces," or "accomplishes."
Groups of words analysis:
- "λύπη ἡ κατὰ θεόν" (lypē hē kata theon) - This phrase, "sadness according to God," signifies sorrow that originates from God, is aligned with God's will and standards, and is directed by His Spirit. It's not simply sadness about being caught, but sorrow over offending God.
- "εἰς μετάνοιαν ἀμεταμέλητον" (eis metanoian ametamelēton) - This means "into unregrettable repentance." The repentance is so thorough and complete that one will not later regret having repented. It implies a deep change of heart and direction.
- "εἰς σωτηρίαν" (eis sōtērian) - "unto salvation." The ultimate purpose and result of godly sorrow and repentance is salvation, encompassing deliverance from sin's power and eternal life.
- "ἡ δὲ τοῦ κόσμου λύπη" (hē de tou kosmou lypē) - "but the sadness of the world." This refers to sorrow that stems from selfish motives, fear of exposure, loss of reputation, or earthly consequences, without a corresponding turning to God.
- "θάνατον ἐργάζεται" (thanaton ergazetai) - "works death." Worldly sorrow leads to spiritual death, hopelessness, and despair, alienating the individual further from God.
2 Corinthians 7 12 Bonus Section
The concept of "unregrettable repentance" implies a transformative change where the new direction aligns so perfectly with God's will that there is no desire to return to the old ways. This contrasts sharply with the fleeting remorse of worldly sorrow, which might regret getting caught, but not the sin itself. The cross-references highlight that such a sorrowful, repentant spirit is consistent with the work of the Holy Spirit in conviction (John 16:8), the teaching of Jesus on mourning (Matt 5:4), and the transformative power of God’s discipline (Heb 12:11).
2 Corinthians 7 12 Commentary
Paul emphasizes the distinction between two kinds of sorrow. Godly sorrow stems from a recognition of having sinned against God and is accompanied by a desire to obey and please Him. This leads to true repentance, a profound change of mind and behavior that is pleasing to God and results in salvation. Worldly sorrow, however, is self-centered; it laments the consequences of sin rather than the sin itself. This type of sorrow breeds despair and leads to spiritual death, further hardening the heart. The Apostle rejoices because the Corinthians experienced the former, a sorrow that, though painful in the moment, proved to be a vital pathway to enduring life and restoration with God.