Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

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THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER SEVEN:
GODLY SADNESS MAKES FOR REPENTANCE

[“Repentance Proof”]
Key word: Sadness
Theme verse: 10

2 Corinthians 7:1 – Perfect Holiness

2CO7:1 As a result, having these promises, 193 beloved, we should cleanse ourselves 194 from every fleshly and spiritual pollution, 195 perfecting holiness in godly fear. 196
193 These promises: Those previously stated.
194 We should cleanse ourselves: Or, purify ourselves, purge ourselves. That is, from those Babylonish doctrines and standards alluded to previously. [1 John 3:3]
195 From every fleshly and spiritual pollution: Or, body or spirit. That is, first those things which pollute the flesh. Consider these at Galatians 5:19-21. Note also the Nazarene’s own list of such defilements. [Matthew 15:19, 20] Second, spirit pollution – doctrine and worship. There is a possible echo from Zechariah 13:2.
196 Perfecting holiness in godly fear: Or, KJV: perfecting holiness in the fear of God; TCN: deepest reverence for God, aim at perfect holiness; PME: consecrating ourselves to him completely. The fear of God is inseparable from such perfect holiness. On holiness compare notes on 1 Peter 1:15, 16. Paul has in mind holiness from three perspectives: spiritual, moral, and physical.

2 Corinthians 7:2-4 – Allow Room for Us

2CO7:2 [Corinthians], allow us some room! 197 We have harmed no one! We have corrupted no one! We have taken advantage of no one! 198
197 Allow us some room: That is, Give us some space. Paul appeals that they be giving a little latitude and not be forced into a precise mold.
198 Taken advantage of no one: Paul was without a selfish agenda. In no way did he take advantage material of the Corinthians. No true Christian minister can do such a thing. Compare notes on 2 Corinthians 11:20.
2CO7:3 I am not saying this to condemn you, for I have said previously that you all are in our hearts 199 – to die together with you and to live together with you.
199 You all are in our hearts: Paul makes an endearing appeal to the Corinthians.
2CO7:4 I am being very honest with all of you – I have a lot of reason to boast over you. I am completely filled with comfort. 200 I am overflowing with joy in all of our oppression.
200 Comfort: Compare the word “comfort” in chapter one.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 – God’s Comfort

2CO7:5 Now when we arrived in Macedonia we never had any relief in our flesh, but in every way we were constantly under oppression – exterior fights, inner fears. 201
201 Exterior fights, inner fears: Or, KJV: without were fightings, within were fears; TCN: conflicts without, anxieties within; MOF: wrangling all around me, fears in my own mind. Paul may refer to fights outside he churches, but fears within the churches.
2CO7:6 Despite this, The God, the One comforting the lowly, comforted us with the arrival of Titus. 2CO7:7 Not just by his arrival, but also in the comfort with which he was comforted over you [Corinthians], as he reported back to us about your longing, your weeping, your zeal for me, so that I rejoice instead.

2 Corinthians 7:8-13a – Sadness and Repentance

2CO7:8 Because if I also saddened all of you in the epistle, I do not regret it. And if I had regretted it – I now see that for a moment the epistle did sadden you – but it saddened you [Corinthians] in the direction of repentance. 202
202 Saddened you [Corinthians] in the direction of repentance: Paul’s first inspired epistle had a powerful affect upon the congregation with the result that many were saddened or hurt. However, this was necessary to move the congregation to a general repentance. It is a most difficult thing when a whole congregation has gone wrong, leaving only a few individuals who have maintained the right attitude and action. Often the latter are criticized and oppressed by the former. To move an entire church by a letter is rare indeed. Here Paul sees that their sadness is in the right direction.
2CO7:9 Now I continue to rejoice, because you were all saddened according to a godly sadness, so that you might never suffer any harm because of us. 2CO7:10 For sadness in a godly way leads to repentance resulting in salvation 203 – and that is not to be regretted. But now worldly sadness produces death. 204
203 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.
204 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.
2CO7:11 For, consider! – this very matter of being saddened in a godly way, 205 how much earnestness it produced! How much quick indignation! Let alone, defense! Let alone, displeasure! Let alone, fear! Let alone, longing! Let alone, zeal! Let alone, revenge! In every matter you [Corinthians] showed yourselves to be chaste in this matter. 206
205 Saddened in a godly way: Paul characterizes godly sadness – and thus true repentance – by several attributes: a] earnestness, or a sincere desire to correct a matter; b] indignation, or a degree of self-anger over the problem in the first place and why one was led along with others in the matter; c] defense, or becoming aware of the need to defend the congregation and work to make honest corrections so that no one may be reproached; d] displeasure, or a self-loathing for having done the wrong in the first place; e] fear, or the inner conscience making it very aware that wrong has occurred, along with trepidation regarding God’s feelings and reactions; f] longing to correct the attitude and action as quickly as possible, along with a yearning that others be helped and never offended; g] zeal to correct the matter as quickly as possible, rather than just trying to forget the matter; h] revenge against those at the center of the problem to recover them so the wrong will stop, and possible anger for being carried along in such a congregation-wide error.
206 Showed yourselves to be chaste in this matter: This must have bought the congregation great comfort. The majority of the congregation has, though saddened by the curt rebuke, quickly realized the degree of their deviation and promptly took steps to correct their attitude. As Paul will go on to show, there are still those in the congregation – particular among the leadership – who have not corrected their inclinations.
2CO7:12 For a certainty I wrote to you – not on account of the person who caused the harm 207 – nor on account of the person harmed – but rather for the reason of manifesting your earnestness in our behalf in the sight of The God.
207 Not on account of the person who caused the harm: The incestuous brother of 1 Corinthians 5.
2CO7:13a This is why we have been so comforted.

2 Corinthians 7:13b-16 – Refreshing Joy and Comfort

2CO7:13b In addition to our own comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy of Titus, because he was so refreshed in his heart because of all you [Corinthians]. 2CO7:14 Because if I have boasted to [Titus] in anything, I have never been ashamed, but just as we have always spoken the truth to you, so also our boasting over Titus has proved to be true. 2CO7:15 Also, his own inner feelings abounded even more toward you [Corinthians], remembering the obedience of all of you, 208 as you received him with fear and trembling. 209
208 Remembering the obedience of all of you: This whole portion demonstrates Paul’s genuine concern for the congregations he helped form. He is happy the majority of the congregation has responded to his first letter. He must later deal some remaining problems, including some in leadership whose opinions were likely at the root of the troubles in Corinth. This and the next phrased indicate a degree of authority in the Church.
209 You received him with fear and trembling: Likely Paul had sent Titus as an apostolic representative to examine the Corinthian congregation. Paul had assured Titus in a positive manner about them, and when he visited them they acknowledged his position in the Church. They knew they had erred and they knew they were at fault. Compare notes on Hebrews 13:7, 17.
2CO7:16 I continue to rejoice, because in every matter I continue to be of good courage because of you.

Review Questions on Chapter Seven

With what exhortation does chapter seven begin?
How does Paul describe his conduct toward them?
Who brought comfort to Paul in Macedonia?
What had been their reaction to 1 Corinthians?
How did godly sadness manifest itself?
In whom did Paul boast to Titus?

Mark Heber Miller