2 Corinthians 7:6-10

2 Cor 7:6 (KJB)

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 

Comforteth - Call beside or encourage

Those that are cast down - Poor, lowly, or undistinguished

 

God is the great comforter who encourages those who have been cast down. Many times whether we are under the afflicting hand of God or are under persecution from the world, we feel so trodden under foot that we are on the brink of depression. It is God who encourages us and brings us out of despair. Many times He will send somebody to help us through the rough times and to be an encouragement to us. In Paul’s case, Titus had been a comfort to Paul.

 

2 Cor 7:7 (KJB)

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

 

Consolation - Encouragement

Mourning - Lamentation or wailing

Fervent mind - Zeal or fervor

 

Paul gained much encouragement, not only from Titus whom he called his own son after the common faith. (Titus 1:4 KJV) To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus brought with him great encouragement after his visit to the Corinthians. Titus had informed Paul that the Corinthians had a great earnest desire, even to the point of lamenting over their treatment of Paul and their turning away from the true Gospel and believing the false teachers. They had a tremendous zeal toward Paul because finally the true Gospel had taken hold of that church and they realize that Paul was telling them the truth all along and that is why they have now turned back to him. This news had lifted a great burden off of Paul’s shoulders and caused him to rejoice in the news even more. Whenever a church comes out of darkness and embraces the true Gospel again, there is always a true rejoicing. True teachings speak of the truths of Scripture while false teachings are always somebody’s tales embellished with a little Scripture to make it sound legitimate.

 

2 Cor 7:8 (KJB)

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

 

Sorry - Grieved

Repent - Regret or feel sorry

 

Paul had written his second epistle to the Corinthians with the mindset to help set them straight and not to hurt them in any way. (2 Cor 2:4 KJV) For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. Paul had many tears when he wrote this letter to them because it was filled with much rebuke of their ways and he did not want to hurt or ostracize them. He had regretted the way in which the letter was written yet he did not regret it because it was what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear. They had to be approached head on with the problems which were pervading the church. When they received the epistle, there was sorrow among the church but that sorrow did not last long. It lasted long enough for them to step back and see the error of their ways and their willingness to assess and follow the right path.

 

2 Cor 7:9 (KJB)

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.

 

Sorry and Sorrowed - Grief or distress

Ye might receive damage - Suffer loss or injury

 

Paul’s great rejoicing was not for the fact that he made them sorrow but for the fact that their sorrow was genuine and led to their repentance of their ways. It was a godly repentance which brought them back to the way of righteousness and that was the hope of Paul all along. His expectation was that they would not suffer any type of injury, especially a spiritual injury which could stifle their growth. This principle also applies to us that whenever we send correspondence to anyone, we must be careful that we do not injure them in any way. On the Internet, it is so easy to be crass when sending e-mails to people. I have received e-mails from people that were just outright nasty and the worst part is that they were from Christians. This is something they would never do face to face, but if a person is 1,000 miles away, they believe that distance buys them the right to be obnoxious and offensive. They must realize that God assesses every e-mail and that the person receiving the e-mail is not a computer but a walking, talking person and we must be especially courteous to those who are saved. (Gal 6:10 KJV) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 

2 Cor 7:10 (KJB)

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

Not to be repented of - Not to be regretted

 

Paul here contrasts two types of repentance which are diametrically opposed to each other. The first type of repentance is the type that leads to salvation. The word “repentance” carries with it the meaning of “a change of mind.” That change of mind which leads to salvation is initiated and carried through by God. Man in no way can repent unto salvation. (2 Tim 2:25 KJV) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2 Timothy 2:25 teaches us plainly that it is God who grants a person repentance for the purpose of acknowledging the truth. This is godly repentance which precedes salvation and is not the type of repentance which tells a person to stop sinning and then they become saved. That is backwards! A person receives godly repentance from the Lord and then they become saved and only then will they stop sinning. To try and repent of sins for salvation is a work, to receive repentance unto salvation is grace, whereby a person is saved. The second type of repentance is the worldly type which basically is described as “whoops I got caught.” Worldly repentance may bring a few tears but it is not a genuine repentance which leads to salvation because this type of repentance is man-centered. We see this all the time as someone commits a crime and then goes to court and cries, in hopes the judge will be lenient with them. So their repentance is not to salvation but is for their own selfish benefit. This is why it leads to death because it remains man-centered and for manipulation.

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