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For sadness in a godly way leads to repentance resulting in salvation1 – and that is not to be regretted. But now worldly sadness produces death.2
| 1 | Sadness in a godly way leads to repentance resulting in salvation: Salvation is impossible for the Christian who refuses to repent. Sadness or grief over a wrong is the first move in repentance, for the Greek literally means to change the mind. Regret is part of this emotion, and if it will be godly or fruitful, it will result in true conversion to an approved attitude and course. Usually the degree of repentance will equal the degree of deviation. In other words, the greater the sin, the greater the repentance and the fruitage it produces. |
| 2 | Worldly sadness produces death: Paul may have in mind that sadness caused by being either caught when doing something wrong, or the rebuke against a clear wrong offends the pride of the sinner. Both of these are not godly sadness resulting from true repentance, but attempts to protect a prideful ego. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 7:10 as the theme verse of the chapter – Godly Sadness Make For Repentance. Paul begins by urging Christians to “perfect holiness in godly fear.” [1] Christians should remain clean from “every fleshly and spiritual pollution.” He encourages the Corinthians to “allow room for us” in their hearts. [2-4] He returns to the theme he started in the first chapter – God’s comfort. Such comfort helps us endure “exterior fights, inner fears.”
Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians saddened some, and now he compares the difference between godly sadness and worldly sadness. [8-13] Godly sadness results in repentance [or, a change of mind]. Paul lists some of the characteristics of true repentance – earnestness indignation, displeasure, fear, longing, zeal, revenge. It is likely he has in mind a changed attitude toward the tolerance of sexual immorality within the congregation. Paul writes that the report of Titus has refreshed him, brought him comfort and great joy. [13-16]
May Heaven bless those who “perfect holiness in godly fear.”
[18 June 2002]
The steps are (1) godly sorrow; (2) repentance as a result of godly sorrow; (3) salvation secured by repentance; (4) this effect of repentance is never regretted. See Revision. The difference of repentance from sorrow and regret is seen when we bear in mind that it means the change of mind and heart wrought by godly sorrow for sin. The state implied by repentance always leads to a change of life. The Common Version here and elsewhere has made confusion by translating two Greek words which mean different things by the same English term. One, [metamellomai] rendered by the Revision “regret,” is found in Mt 27:3,5; the other [metanoeo], properly rendered “repent,” is found in Ac 2:38.
