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2 Corinthians 7

16 verses

TL;DR

Paul commends the Corinthians for their godly sorrow and repentance after receiving his corrective letter, expressing joy and comfort through Titus and the church's earnestness.

Summary

Paul writes to the Corinthian church in chapter 7, praising them for their sincere sorrow after receiving his letter, which led to genuine repentance. He distinguishes godly sorrow—which brings about repentance and salvation—from worldly sorrow, which merely brings pain. The Corinthian believers' humility and zeal for God comfort Paul, who feels encouraged and grateful for Titus’s role in conveying their earnestness. Paul emphasizes that their sincere sorrow was not mere contrition but a heartfelt desire to reconcile with God, leading to spiritual cleansing. He expresses joy in their restored relationship, stating that their confidence in God and each other strengthens his own faith. Throughout the chapter, Paul underscores the value of humility, repentance, and mutual encouragement within the Christian community.

Outline
  1. Paul's commendation of the Corinthians’ godly sorrow and repentance
  2. Contrast between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow
  3. Paul’s joy, comfort, and confidence in the church’s renewed faith
Themes
Godly sorrow and repentanceHumility and humility leading to salvationComfort and encouragement within the church
Keywords
sorrowrepentanceGodcomfortTitusCorinthianshumilityfaith
People
PaulTitusCorinthian believers
Places
MacedoniaCorinth
Things
sorrowrepentancecomfortGodfaithtrust
Key Verses
  • 2 Corinthians 7:10: Paul defines godly sorrow as leading to repentance and salvation, contrasting it with worldly sorrow
  • 2 Corinthians 7:16: Paul expresses his rejoicing and confidence in the church, summarizing the chapter’s message of joy and assurance
Questions
  • What distinguishes godly sorrow from worldly sorrow according to Paul?
  • How does the Corinthians’ sincere repentance impact their relationship with God?
  • In what ways does Titus serve as a conduit of comfort and encouragement in this chapter?
  • What can modern believers learn from Paul’s joy in the Corinthians’ repentance?
  • How does humility play a role in spiritual growth as illustrated in this chapter?
Sentiment

positive
Overall tone is encouraging, celebrating genuine repentance and mutual support.