2 Corinthians, Chapter 7

2 Corinthians 7 What does Paul tell the Corinthians to do in light of all the promises of God? vs. 1 Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. [TNIV] Paul wanted the Corinthians to open their hearts to him. What 3 things did he say he had not been guilty of concerning his ministry to them? vs.2 we wronged no one we corrupted no one we took advantage of no one What did Paul say in regard to his affection for the believers there? vs.3,4 - (name 5 things) You are in our hearts to die together and to live together Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. What was Paul overflowing in joy through? vs. 4 Have you ever had a time of affliction that you still experienced joy through? Would you like to share that with us? In the opening of the letter to the Corinthians, Paul expressed worry that he had grieved them (2:2; see 7:8–9). Paul treads carefully around the touchy subject of his severe letter in which, he confesses, he may have been too blunt. He gently assures them that he never intended to cause them grief (7:4) but is glad that the grief that the letter generated turned out to be a godly grief (7:8–9). The Corinthians deeply pained him when they withdrew their affection from him, and he was just as deeply overjoyed by signs that they had rekindled their love for him. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (347). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Paul has been waiting anxiously for news of the Corinthians. He sent Titus to them with a ‘severe letter’, and has been worried about their reaction. Now Titus has returned with wonderful news. The Corinthians have accepted Paul’s reproach and put right what was wrong. Paul is delighted — not because he made the Corinthians sad, but because their sadness resulted in repentance, forgiveness and a clear conscience. Knowles, A. (2001). The Bible guide. Includes index. (1st Augsburg books ed.) (599). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg. Paul explains when they were in Macedonia, their flesh was given no rest. What did he deal with there? vs. 5 How does it help you to see that Paul had fear? Had you thought of him in this way before this study? We were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. “It probably seemed to Paul that from the human point of view his whole future as apostle to the Gentiles was related to the Corinthians’ reaction to his assertion of authority in the letter delivered by Titus. And now the nonarrival of Titus tended to confirm his worst fears.” He may also have been worried about the safety of Titus—particularly when the traveler faced danger from rivers, bandits, false brothers, and danger in the city, in the country, and at sea (11:26). Just as his spirit had no relief in Troas (2:13), his body had no rest in Macedonia—until Titus showed up with good news. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (351). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. Paul was depressed. How did God comfort him? vs. 6 Has the Lord used a person in your life at times of depression? Would you like to share it with us? God comforted him by the arrival of Titus. What did Titus report to Paul concerning the church at Corinth? vs. 7 Their longing, their mourning, their zeal for Paul. The Corinthians were longing to see Paul (epipothēsis, cf. 1 Thess 3:6), apparently regretting his departure and failure to return. The word may connote a tender affection, an attachment to Paul that is mixed with a nuance of anxiety or pain (see 9:14; Phil 1:8 ). If they long to see Paul again, it means that they are prepared for his return, something that he will bring up repeatedly in what follows (9:4; 10:2, 6; 12:14, 20, 21; 13:1, 2, 10). Their yearning therefore bodes well that his next visit will not be another painful one. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (352). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. It was a comfort to see Titus again (see Acts 28:15), but an even greater comfort to hear the good news that Paul’s stern letter had brought results. Verse 7 lists the results: they had an earnest desire to see Paul again; they had mourned over their sin;  they had rekindled their love for Paul;  they had repented and dealt with the offender (v. 8 ) Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (494). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. How did Paul receive the report given? vs.7 Paul had sent a letter to the Corinthian church through Titus. Most likely, this would be the content we have in I Corinthians. The letter had caused sorrow for some because as you will all remember, immorality and many other things were discussed in I Corinthians. Paul is rejoicing at the report that they had been made sorrowful only because the sorrow had led them to repentance. (vs.8,9) Titus brought good news that multiplied the joy Paul felt when he finally arrived.  Five things evoked Paul’s joy: Titus’s safe arrival; the comforting news about their longing for Paul, their mourning over the unpleasant incident, and their zeal to reform;  the Corinthians’ repentance caused by their godly sorrow;  Titus’s joy over the situation; and  the confirmation of his boast about them. His expression of joy confirms that the bond between them has not been irretrievably broken as he had feared. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (353). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. What does godly sorrow produce in us? vs. 10 Godly sorrow produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation. What does the sorrow of the world produce? vs. 10 Worldly sorrow is to be sorry for the consequences, but godly sorrow is to be realize we have hurt the heart of God. Read Psalm 51. Who did David acknowledge sinning against in his prayer of repentance? (vs.4).. What had happened to his own heart in his sorrow and repentance? (vs.17) The sorrow of the world produces death. Worldly grief is caused by the loss or denial of something we want for ourselves. It is self-centered. It laments such worldly things as failing to receive the recognition one thinks one deserves, not having as much money as one wants, not getting something one covets. The selfishness of worldly grief gives rise only to despair, bitterness, and paralysis. It causes our souls to drown in self pity or turns the sorrow into a cankerous sore. Many lead lives filled with regrets like Esau’s when he sold his birthright (see Heb 12:17). Judas was overcome with grief by his betrayal of his master, but it led to despair and the desperate act of taking his own life, not to repentance. Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (355). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. What were the results of the godly sorrow of the Corinthian believers? Name 8 things given in vs.11 what earnestness what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter Paul said that the purpose of the letter was not for the offender or the one offended, but to show the church their earnestness toward them, and this brought Paul much comfort. What gave Paul even more reason to rejoice? vs. 12,13 For this reason 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. What caused Titus to have his affections stirred all the more as he remembered being with the church at Corinth? vs.14,15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. Finally, what did Paul rejoice in? vs. 16 I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you. Summarize what you have learned today and post a prayer.

--