2 Corinthians 7:10-16, Repentance

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.

And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Paul was worried his flock was moving toward apostasy, so he had to write the painful letter. The pain of God in repentance leads to salvation whereas the pain of the world only leads to death. Their repentance demonstrated their innocence. Fortunately, the guilty Corinthians were not falling into apostasy. In his trial balloon letter, Paul was testing their earnestness before God.

Paul is happy because of what Titus discovered. Apparently, Paul knew Titus’ mission would be a success because he had faith in the Corinthians to repent. Their response to the painful letter was renewed obedience to God and respect toward the apostolic delegate. Having made his appeal for reconciliation, Paul now builds up his audience, confiding his confidence in them.

Reflection:

Let us pray for our friends,

that they may lead happy and useful lives;

Let us pray for any friends

with whom we have quarreled,

that we may have the chance to be reconciled;

Let us pray for those who are living in new surroundings

and lack friends.

Let us pray for those who have lost their friends

by the way they live;

Let us pray for those who befriend the friendless.

God our Father,

make us true and loyal friends.

Grant that all our friends

may lead us nearer you.

– Caryl Micklem