2 Corinthians 7:8-10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:8

With a letter; rather, with my Epistle . Probably the First Epistle, though some suppose that the allusion is to a lost intermediate letter. I do not repent, though I did repent; better, I do not regret it . Every one has experienced the anxiety which has followed the despatch of some painful letter. If it does good, well; but perhaps it may do harm. The severity was called for; it seemed a duty to write severely. But how will the rebuke be received? Might we not have done better... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:9

Not that ye were made sorry. They might have drawn this mistaken conclusion from his remark that he "rejoiced" when he heard of their "lamentation" ( 2 Corinthians 7:7 ). After a godly sort; literally, according to God; i.e. in a way which he would approve ( Romans 8:27 ). In nothing. Not even when we rebuked you, and caused you pain. read more

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:8

For though I made you sorry ... - That is, in the First Epistle which he had sent to them. In that Epistle he had felt it necessary to reprove them for their dissensions and other disorders which had occurred and which were tolerated in the church. That Epistle was suited to produce pain in them - as severe and just reproof always does; and Paul felt very anxious about its effect on them. It was painful to him to write it, and he was well aware that it must cause deep distress among them to be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 7:9

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry ... - I have no pleasure in giving pain to anyone, or in witnessing the distress of any. When people are brought to repentance under the preaching of the gospel, the ministers of the gospel do not find pleasure in their grief as such. They are not desirous of making people unhappy by calling them to repentance, and they have no pleasure in the deep distress of mind which is often produced by their preaching, in itself considered. It is only because... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

2 Corinthians 7:8-11. For though I made you sorry Caused you much distress and pain of mind by the letter I formerly wrote; I do not now repent Of writing it; although I did repent After it was sent away, fearing it might irritate some of you, and produce some ill effect. Or the meaning is, I felt a tender sorrow for having grieved you, till I saw the happy fruit of it. Now I rejoice not barely that ye were made sorry By my letter, for that would rather still give me pain; but... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Joy at the Corinthians’ repentance (7:2-16)Again Paul appeals to the Corinthians to open their hearts to him, and not to feel hesitant because of the accusations his enemies have made. Nothing in life or death can separate him from them. He assures them that he is overjoyed at the news he has just heard concerning them (2-4).Paul recalls the restlessness he felt in Macedonia as he awaited Titus’ return with news from Corinth. He recalls also the joy he experienced when Titus recounted how he... read more

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