2 Corinthians 7:5-13a
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts on the outside, fears inside.
6 But God, who comforts the discouraged, comforted us by the arrival of Titus;
7 and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted among you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness in our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God.
13 Because of this, we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
The Joy of Hearing the Repentance
The arrival of Titus
Today’s passage continues from 2:13. Let us review Paul’s movements once again. (1) From Ephesus, Paul sent the Corinthian believers the letter of 1 Corinthians. (2) Next, in an unplanned move, he traveled from Ephesus to Corinth. This was the “sorrowful visit” (2:1). (3) After returning to Ephesus, Paul wrote a very severe letter in order to correct the situation in the Corinthian church and entrusted it to Titus. This is the letter referred to in verse 8. It is known as the “sorrowful letter,” but it is no longer extant. (4) Afterward, Paul left Ephesus, came to Troas, and waited for Titus. (5) Unable to wait any longer, Paul crossed over to Macedonia and waited for Titus there. While in Macedonia, Paul was in the midst of affliction. There were conflicts on the outside, such as persecution and discord in the churches. And when he thought about the Corinthian church, there must have been no rest for his heart. Then Titus arrived where Paul was. Through this, Paul’s heart was greatly comforted.
The reason for joy
What brought Paul even greater joy than the arrival of Titus was the good news Titus brought. The Corinthian believers who had read that severe letter had repented. Now they longed for Paul, mourned over their own wrongdoing, and had become zealous for Paul. Therefore, Paul writes that although he had regretted that he might have written too harshly, he now rejoices that he caused them sorrow. The reason is that they repented. Paul writes that there are two kinds of sorrow. (1) Sorrow that is according to the will of God produces repentance leading to salvation. This is good sorrow. (2) Mere sorrow (the sorrow of the world) not only brings no benefit but also causes harm. In the end, pain and hostility remain. This is bad sorrow. Which kind of sorrow have you experienced? Let us consider what sorrow that is according to the will of God looks like and apply it to our own lives.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, when I receive a stern admonition, please give me a tender heart so that I may experience sorrow that is according to Your will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.