2 Corinthians 7:9 kjv
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2 Corinthians 7:9 nkjv
Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
2 Corinthians 7:9 niv
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 7:9 esv
As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
2 Corinthians 7:9 nlt
Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.
2 Corinthians 7 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 7:10 | For godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation | 2 Cor 7:10 |
| Acts 2:37-38 | Cut to the heart... Repent... | Acts 2:37-38 (The early church's response) |
| Luke 17:3-4 | If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him | Luke 17:3-4 (Forgiveness following repentance) |
| Jer 31:18-19 | "I have surely heard Ephraim's bemoaning... | Jer 31:18-19 (Godly sorrow in the OT) |
| Psa 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit... | Psa 51:17 (The value of a contrite heart) |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not conform to this world, but be transformed | Rom 12:2 (Transformation through renewed minds) |
| Gal 6:1 | If anyone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual restore | Gal 6:1 (Restoration of the fallen) |
| Eph 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit | Eph 4:30 (The effect of sin on the Spirit) |
| Col 1:13-14 | He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness | Col 1:13-14 (Deliverance through repentance) |
| 1 Pet 4:8 | Above all, love each other deeply | 1 Pet 4:8 (Love covers sins) |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper | Prov 28:13 (Honesty about sin) |
| Isa 66:2 | This is the one I look on with favor: he who is humble | Isa 66:2 (God's favor on the humble) |
| Luke 18:9-14 | The Pharisee and the tax collector parable | Luke 18:9-14 (Humility and repentance) |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent, then, and turn to God... | Acts 3:19 (Peter's call to repentance) |
| Matt 3:8 | Produce fruit in keeping with repentance | Matt 3:8 (Evidence of true repentance) |
| 2 Cor 2:4 | For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish | 2 Cor 2:4 (Paul's emotional state concerning them) |
| 2 Cor 2:7 | You ought to forgive and comfort him | 2 Cor 2:7 (The need to forgive the repentant) |
| 2 Cor 12:18 | Did I not appeal to you concerning Titus? | 2 Cor 12:18 (Previous interactions regarding Titus) |
| 2 Cor 13:10 | I write these things so that when I come I need not use | 2 Cor 13:10 (Paul's approach to church discipline) |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles | 2 Cor 1:3-4 (God's comfort) |
2 Corinthians 7 verses
2 Corinthians 7 9 Meaning
This verse speaks to the deep sorrow experienced by the Corinthians because of the godly sorrow their repentance produced. This sorrow led them to a turning point, aligning them once again with Paul's ministry and the truth of the Gospel. The impact of their godly grief was ultimately beneficial, bringing about salvation and reaffirming their relationship with God and the apostles.
2 Corinthians 7 9 Context
This verse is part of Paul's lengthy defense of his ministry to the Corinthian church, a church known for its difficulties and division. Paul had previously written a letter (often referred to as the "severe letter," alluded to in 2 Cor 2:4 and 7:8) which caused the Corinthians considerable distress. In this section of 2 Corinthians, Paul expresses relief that his corrective action, though painful, led to genuine repentance and restored harmony in the church. Chapter 7 describes the positive results of this repentance, including a desire to please God and a renewed obedience to the apostles' teaching. This particular verse emphasizes the deep, personal grief the Corinthians felt because of the godly sorrow that their repentance had wrought within them.
2 Corinthians 7 9 Word Analysis
- δ (epeidē) - "for," "since" - indicates a reason or cause for what follows.
- ε (eikaino ē) - "if indeed," "inasmuch as" - a concessive particle, acknowledging a fact before stating its consequence.
- (lithreō) - "grieved," "sorrowful" - indicates a deep sadness, often with regret or remorse.
- (liopenthēs) - "godly sorrow," "sorrow that is according to God" - contrasts with worldly sorrow. This sorrow originates from a proper understanding of God's will and love, leading to true repentance.
- (phetaimēn) - "repentance" - a turning around, a change of mind and heart, accompanied by a change in action, prompted by grief over sin.
- (ethēra) - "salvation," "deliverance" - a bringing to safety or well-being. In a spiritual context, it refers to deliverance from sin and its consequences.
- (leuketrētos) - "worketh," "accomplisheth" - actively produces or brings about.
- (eloumeēn) - "it worketh no regret," "it produces no remorse" - emphasizes the lasting positive nature of godly sorrow. It doesn't lead to wishing one had not repented, unlike worldly sorrow which can lead to despair.
Group Analysis:
- "for if indeed I grieved you with the letter": Paul acknowledges that his previous communication caused them pain.
- "I do not regret it": Despite the pain caused, Paul does not regret his action.
- "though I did regret it": Paul admits he had experienced regret, but clarifies the nature of this regret – it was momentary, perhaps at the difficulty of causing pain, rather than regret over the correction itself. This is a nuanced admission that reflects his humanity while reaffirming the rightness of his action.
- "for I see that the letter did grieve you, though only for a while": He observed that the letter did indeed have the intended effect of causing grief. The "only for a while" suggests the grief was temporary and conducive to healing.
2 Corinthians 7 9 Bonus Section
The emphasis on "godly sorrow" versus "worldly sorrow" is a crucial distinction Paul makes. Worldly sorrow is self-focused, regretting consequences rather than the sin itself, and can lead to hopelessness (Heb 12:17). Godly sorrow, however, is God-focused, recognizing sin’s offense against a holy God, and it produces a transformative change, leading to renewed life and a clearer walk with God. The Corinthians’ experience here validates Paul’s apostolic authority and the effectiveness of church discipline when applied biblically.
2 Corinthians 7 9 Commentary
Paul rejoices that his disciplinary letter, though it caused distress, did not result in irreversible harm or the abandonment of faith. Instead, this distress, understood as "godly sorrow," led the Corinthians to genuine repentance and a turn towards God. This is contrasted with "worldly sorrow" which often leads to despair or a hardening of the heart. The key here is that the sorrow was aligned with God's purposes, ultimately bringing about salvation and restoring their spiritual health and relationship with Paul and the Gospel. This demonstrates that painful correction, when administered in love and for the purpose of spiritual restoration, is a vital aspect of Christian ministry.