2 Corinthians 7:10-12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:10

Verse 10 10.Sorrow according to God (644) In the first place, in order to understand what is meant by this clause according to God, we must observe the contrast, for the sorrow that is according to God he contrasts with the sorrow of the world Let us now take, also, the contrast between two kinds of joy. The joy of the world is, when men foolishly, and without the fear of the Lord, exult in vanity, that is, in the world, and, intoxicated with a transient felicity, look no higher than the earth.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:11

Verse 11 11.What earnest desire it produced in you I shall not enter into any dispute as to whether the things that Paul enumerates are effects of repentance, or belong to it, or are preparatory to it, as all this is unnecessary for understanding Paul’s design, for he simply proves the repentance of the Corinthians from its signs, or accompaniments. At the same time he makes sorrow according to God to be the source of all these things, inasmuch as they spring from it — which is assuredly the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:12

Verse 12 11.]Ye have approved yourselves to be clear. The Old Interpreter reads, “Ye have shown yourselves.” Erasmus renders it, “Ye have commended yourselves.” I have preferred a third rendering, which appeared to me to suit better — that the Corinthians showed by clear evidences, that they were in no degree participants in the crime, with which they had appeared, from their connivance, to have had some connection. What those evidences were, we have already seen. At the same time, Paul does... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow, etc. "For the sorrow Which is according to God worketh out a repentance unto salvation which bringeth no regret." Sin causes regret, remorse, that sort of repentance ( metomeleia ) which is merely an unavailing rebellion against the inevitable consequences of misdoing; but the sorrow of self-reproach which follows true repentance ( metanoia, change of mind) is never followed by regret. Some take "not to be regretted" with "salvation," but it is a very unsuitable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:11

For behold, etc. The effects produced by their repentance showed that it was "according to God;" for it brought forth in them "the fruits of good living to the honour and glory of God." Carefulness ; rather, earnestness, active endeavour . Yea what. There is an untranslatable energy about the original Greek. The same use of ἀλλὰ (Latin, immo vero ) in a climax is found in 1 Corinthians 6:11 . Clearing of yourselves; literally, apology, self-defence, addressed to me... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:12

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you. "So then, even if I did write you," namely, about that matter. For his cause that had done the wrong, etc. My object in writing was not to mix myself up with the personal quarrel. I had in view neither the wronger nor the wronged, directly and primarily, but wrote for the sake of the whole Church ( 1 Corinthians 5:1 , 1 Corinthians 5:2 ; 1 Corinthians 6:7 ). Nor for his cause that suffered wrong. Apparently the father of the offender ( 1... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow - “Sorrow according to God” (Ἡ γὰρ κατὰ Θεὸν λύπη Hē gar kata Theon lupē). That is, such sorrow as has respect to God, or is according to his will, or as leads the soul to him. This is a very important expression in regard to true repentance, and shows the exact nature of that sorrow which is connected with a return to God. The phrase may be regarded as implying the following things:(1) Such sorrow as God approves, or such as is suitable to. or conformable to his will... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:11

For behold this self-same thing - For see in your own case the happy effects of godly sorrow. See the effects which it produced; see an illustration of what it is suited to produce. The construction is, “For lo! this very thing, to wit, your sorrowing after a godly manner, wrought carefulness, clearing of yourselves,” etc. The object of Paul is to illustrate the effects of godly sorrow, to which he had referred in 2 Corinthians 7:10. He appeals, therefore, to their own case, and says that it... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:12

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you ... - In this verse Paul states the main reason why he had written to them on the subject. It was not principally on account of the man who had done the wrong, or of him who had been injured; but it was from tender anxiety for the whole church, and in order to show the deep interest which he had in their welfare.Not for his cause that had done the wrong - Not mainly, or principally on account of the incestuous person; 1 Corinthians 5:1. It was not primarily... read more

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