2 Corinthians 7

King James Version

Full text for 2 Corinthians Chapter 7

1¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

3I speak not [this] to condemn [you]: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with [you].

4Great [is] my boldness of speech toward you, great [is] my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

5¶ For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without [were] fightings, within [were] fears.

6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7And 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.

8For 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.

9Now 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.

10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

12¶ Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, [I did it] not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

13Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which [I made] before Titus, is found a truth.

15And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all [things].

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul exhorts the Corinthians to cleanse themselves and perfect holiness, affirming his blameless conduct among them. He recounts his distress in Macedonia, which was relieved by the arrival of Titus and the news of their godly sorrow. This sorrow led to repentance and salvation, bringing Paul great comfort and renewed confidence in their obedience.

Medium Summary

Paul begins by urging the Corinthians to purify themselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and asks them to receive him, asserting his integrity. He expresses his deep affection and confidence in them, despite facing troubles and fears in Macedonia. God, who comforts the downcast, comforted Paul through Titus, not only by his presence but by the report of the Corinthians' earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind. Paul explains that while his previous letter caused them sorrow, he rejoices that it led to godly sorrow, which works repentance unto salvation, contrasting it with worldly sorrow that works death. Their godly sorrow demonstrated their carefulness, clearing of themselves, and zeal, proving their innocence in the matter.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with Paul exhorting the beloved Corinthians, based on divine promises, to cleanse themselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, striving to perfect holiness in the fear of God. He appeals for their reception, affirming his blameless conduct, having wronged, corrupted, or defrauded no one, and reiterates his deep affection for them. Paul expresses great boldness and glorying in them, finding exceeding joy amidst his own tribulations. He recounts his distress in Macedonia, where he found no rest, experiencing external conflicts and internal fears. Nevertheless, God, the comforter of the cast down, brought him comfort through the arrival of Titus. This comfort was amplified by Titus's report of the Corinthians' earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward Paul, which caused him to rejoice even more. Paul acknowledges that his previous letter had caused them sorrow, but he does not repent of sending it, for that sorrow led to repentance after a godly manner, preventing any lasting damage. He distinguishes godly sorrow, which works repentance unto salvation, from worldly sorrow, which leads to death. The Corinthians' godly sorrow manifested in carefulness, clearing of themselves, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal, and a readiness to punish wrong, proving their blamelessness in the matter. Paul clarifies that his letter was not primarily for the wrongdoer or the wronged, but to make evident his profound care for them in God's sight. Their comfort brought him comfort, and he rejoiced exceedingly in Titus's joy, as his spirit was refreshed by them all. Paul's boasting about them to Titus proved true, and Titus's affection for them increased as he remembered their obedience, received with fear and trembling. Paul concludes by expressing his great joy and confidence in them in all things.

Core Concepts

  • Cleansing and HolinessPaul exhorts believers to purify themselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, striving to perfect holiness. This call emphasizes a continuous process of spiritual and moral purification in reverence for God.
  • Paul's Integrity and AffectionPaul defends his ministry, asserting that he has wronged no one, corrupted no one, nor defrauded anyone. He expresses profound love and confidence in the Corinthians, affirming they are always in his heart.
  • Divine Comfort Amidst TribulationPaul describes his severe distress and fears in Macedonia, yet highlights how God, who comforts the downcast, provided solace. This comfort came specifically through the arrival of Titus and his positive report.
  • Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly SorrowThe chapter distinguishes between two types of sorrow: godly sorrow, which leads to repentance unto salvation, and worldly sorrow, which results in death. Godly sorrow is a beneficial response to sin, prompting a change of heart and action.
  • Fruits of RepentanceThe Corinthians' godly sorrow produced tangible results, including carefulness, clearing of themselves, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal, and a readiness for justice. These actions demonstrated their earnestness and spiritual renewal.
  • Titus's Pivotal RoleTitus served as a crucial messenger, bringing comfort to Paul through his presence and, more importantly, through his report of the Corinthians' positive response to Paul's previous letter. His refreshed spirit also brought joy to Paul.
  • Confidence in ObediencePaul's initial boasting about the Corinthians to Titus was confirmed as true by their obedience and reception of Titus with fear and trembling. This outcome solidified Paul's confidence and joy in their spiritual state.