2 Corinthians 7 9

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 verses

2 Corinthians 7 9 Meaning

The Apostle Paul expresses profound joy, not in the fact that the Corinthian believers experienced grief, but specifically because that grief served a divine purpose, leading them to true repentance. This sorrow was a "godly grief," meaning it was aligned with God's will and prompted by the conviction of sin against Him. The ultimate result of this divinely directed sorrow was that the Corinthians avoided any true spiritual loss or harm through Paul's stern message.

2 Corinthians 7 9 Context

This verse is situated within Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church, specifically in a section where he explains his feelings and reasons behind sending a previous, "severe letter" (2 Cor 2:4). Paul had been greatly anxious awaiting news of the Corinthians' response, as his previous communication aimed to confront their sin and uphold gospel integrity. Upon hearing from Titus that they had responded with repentance (2 Cor 7:5-7), Paul's anxiety turned to immense relief and joy. He is articulating here that his purpose was never to simply inflict pain, but that the painful experience itself was a catalyst, intended by God, to lead them to a change of heart and action, thus averting deeper spiritual harm that unaddressed sin would have caused. The historical and cultural backdrop of Corinth as a wealthy, pleasure-seeking city makes the call to such specific and self-critical "godly grief" even more challenging and crucial for the early believers there.

2 Corinthians 7 9 Word analysis

• Now (Νῦν, Nyn): Emphasizes a shift in time and emotion; marks the present moment of relief after a period of anxious waiting for news from Corinth.
• I rejoice (χαίρω, chairō): Expresses a strong, deep, and active joy on Paul's part. It reflects his spiritual satisfaction over their positive response.
• not that you were grieved (οὐχ ὅτι ἐλυπήθητε, ouch hoti elypēthēte): Paul clarifies his motive. His joy is not rooted in their pain itself, which was regrettable. He differentiates between the cause (his letter bringing grief) and the positive outcome.
• but that you were grieved into repenting (ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι ἐλυπήθητε εἰς μετάνοιαν, all' hoti elypēthēte eis metanoian):
  • grieved (ἐλυπήθητε, elypēthēte): From λυπέω (lypeō), meaning to make sorrowful, grieve. Used in the passive, "you were caused to grieve."
  • into (εἰς, eis): A crucial preposition indicating purpose or result. Their grief had a specific aim and effect.
  • repenting (μετάνοιαν, metanoian): More than simple regret or remorse (metamelia), this signifies a fundamental change of mind, a reorientation, and a turning from sin towards God, resulting in a transformed life and behavior.
• For you were grieved with a godly grief (ἐλυπήθητε γὰρ κατὰ Θεόν, elypēthēte gar kata Theon):
  • For (γὰρ, gar): Introduces the reason for Paul's joy, elaborating on the nature of their grief.
  • godly (κατὰ Θεόν, kata Theon): Literally "according to God" or "in conformity with God." This is the core qualifier, distinguishing their grief as divinely originated, purposed, and approved. It signifies sorrow over sin because it offends a holy God.
• so that (ἵνα, hina): Introduces the desired outcome and divine intention behind their experience.
• you suffered no loss through us (ἐν μηδενὶ ζημιωθῆτε ἐξ ἡμῶν, en mēdeni zēmiōthēte ex hēmōn):
  • suffered no loss (μηδενὶ ζημιωθῆτε, mēdeni zēmiōthēte): From ζημιόω (zēmioō), meaning to cause or suffer damage, harm, penalty, or loss. Here, it refers to a spiritual detriment or failure that would have occurred had they persisted in their sin. The negation emphasizes a positive result.
  • through us (ἐξ ἡμῶν, ex hēmōn): Paul attributes the means to his letter and apostolic ministry. His stern intervention, though painful, prevented a greater spiritual calamity.

Words-group analysis:

• "grieved into repenting": This phrase clearly connects emotional pain directly to a volitional spiritual change. It’s not just feeling sad; it’s feeling sad for a purpose – a turning away from sin toward God. This highlights the instrumental role of sorrow when it aligns with God's redemptive plan.
• "grieved with a godly grief": This emphasizes the qualitative distinction of their sorrow. It's not humanistic regret over consequences, nor mere self-pity, but a divinely wrought conviction about offending God. This sorrow springs from a sense of reverence and love for God, leading to humility and restoration.
• "suffered no loss through us": This highlights the protective and redemptive nature of Paul's stern apostolic action. What might have felt like a rebuke or harshness from Paul was actually God's instrument to save them from a deeper spiritual loss, such as hardening in sin, losing divine favor, or hindering their spiritual growth.

2 Corinthians 7 9 Bonus section

• The profound theological distinction in Greek between metanoia (a change of mind, leading to a changed life—used here) and metamelia (a feeling of regret or remorse that may not lead to actual change—e.g., Judas’s remorse). The use of metanoia emphasizes the transformational outcome.
• This verse provides significant insight into the apostolic heart and the nature of true pastoral care. It shows a spiritual leader willing to endure personal anguish and cause discomfort in his flock, not for personal gain or malice, but for their ultimate spiritual benefit and adherence to Christ.
• Godly sorrow, while painful in the moment, is often a necessary spiritual medicine, allowing for the deep cleansing of sin and re-establishing an obedient relationship with God, illustrating a therapeutic dimension to conviction.

2 Corinthians 7 9 Commentary

2 Corinthians 7:9 unveils Paul’s heart for the Corinthian believers and illuminates a crucial aspect of Christian growth: the necessity and efficacy of godly sorrow. Paul's joy wasn't found in their pain, but in the divine alchemy where pain, specifically "godly grief," was transformed into profound spiritual gain – repentance. This "godly grief" isn't a mere human emotion; it is an internal agony over sin, not just because of its consequences but because it offends a holy God. This stands in stark contrast to worldly sorrow, which might be regret over being caught, shame, or despair without a turning to God.

The divine purpose ("so that") behind this grief ensured that they would "suffer no loss." This "loss" refers not to worldly goods, but to spiritual well-being, fellowship with God, or continued blessings in Christ. Paul’s severe letter, which caused them pain, was therefore not an act of condemnation but of deep, sacrificial love designed to bring restoration and preserve them from true spiritual harm. This dynamic demonstrates God’s use of difficult circumstances, and even painful correction, as catalysts for genuine repentance and sustained spiritual health, validating the pastor’s sometimes painful duty to confront sin.