Paul is wrapping a lengthy digression from the explanation of his travel plans that began with 2 Corinthians 2:14. He has discussed the motives for, evidences of, and fruits of a true New Covenant gospel ministry. There was an introduction to this theme (2:14-3:3), a promotion of New Covenant hope (motive, 3:4-4:6), a trusting in God in the midst of trouble for the sake of the glory of the New Covenant hope (evidence, 4:7-5:10), and a mention of reconciliation (fruit, 5:11-6:13). And then the final five verses of chapter 6 seemed to switch gears. But in reality it was a continuation of his urging for the Corinthians to live in the world but be not of the world, an application for them in which to live holy lives, distinct from the pagan culture around them. 2 Corinthians 7:1 serves as both the conclusion of that short section (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) and the transition into the conclusion of the whole digression between 2:14 and 7:5. Therefore, 2 Corinthians 7:2-4 picks back up with the theme of 2 Corinthians 6:13. Paul uses the rest of the chapter to explain his confidence in the Corinthians’ repentance after learning of their reaction to his ministerial efforts. Let’s take a look.
1) V1-4 – 1Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
V1 is the conclusion of Paul’s urging from 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. “These promises” refer to 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. Since God will live with us and walk among us, and be our God, and receive us as His children, His people, we must strive for and participate in sanctification, though it’s an agonizing battle (Hebrews 12:1-2). The call is to cleansing, “perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” We must not be unequally yoked, and we must “purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit.” Paul is likely referring specifically to the pagan rituals that were popular in Corinth, even among believers. But we should apply this teaching to our own lives as well, living “in” without being “of” the world.
In v2-4, Paul again appeals to the Corinthians to make room in their hearts for him and his ministry (2 Corinthians 6:13). In saying that his ministry has “wronged no one… corrupted no one… exploited no one” (v2), Paul is attacking the false teachers, who certainly had wronged (by harsh criticisms or physically painful rebukes), corrupted (through false doctrine), and exploited (by greed) some of the Corinthians. But is attack on them is not given to “condemn” any of the Corinthians (v3a); rather, it is to protect them as a shepherd watches over his flock. Paul would love his flock to the death – as he has stated many times in many ways – trying to save their lives (v3b).
2) V5-7 – 5For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Paul picks back up with his narrative from 2 Corinthians 2:13, telling his audience what happened once he left Troas and came to Macedonia. The extreme difficulty (“no rest,” harassment, and “conflicts on the outside, fears within”) caused Paul to be depressed (“downcast” in v6). But he gives God the glory for comforting him with both the arrival of Titus and the good news regarding how the Corinthians had responded to Titus and the sorrowful letter Paul wrote after his painful visit (2 Corinthians 2:1-4). The fact that the Corinthians were sorrowful about their sin and the way they had grieved Paul proved to be a great source of joy for him. Their longing for his comfort and their zealous pursuit of his fellowship somehow increased his joy, which “knew no bounds” only a few verses before. James Denney commented, “The Apostle sets us an example here, of the rarest and most difficult virtue, when he goes back upon the story of his relations with the Corinthians, and makes the bitter stock yield sweet and wholesome fruit.”
3) V8-13 – 8Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it – I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while – 9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.
Though no longer in existence, Paul’s severe letter was like a surgeon’s knife, undesirable but serving a great purpose, grieving the Corinthians into repentance that leads to salvation (v8-10). This repentance is not the initial repentance accompanying faith in conversion, but rather the ongoing sanctifying repentance, a fruit of faith that evidences salvation, which Luther demanded in the first of his 95 Theses. In his book Rediscovering Holiness, J.I. Packer said, “True repentance only begins when one passes out of what the Bible sees as self-deception (James 1:22,26; 1 John 1:8) and modern counselors call denial, into what the Bible calls conviction of sin (John 16:8).” Jim Elliff said, “Confession by itself is not repentance. Confession moves the lips; repentance moves the heart. Naming an act as evil before God is not the same as leaving it. Though your confession may be honest and emotional, it is not enough unless it expresses a true change of heart. There are those who confess only for the show of it, whose so-called repentance may be theatrical but not actual.” Sam Storms says, “Repentance is more than a feeling. Emotion can be fleeting, whereas true repentance bears fruit. Here we encounter the difference between ‘attrition’ and ‘contrition’. The former is regret for sin prompted by a fear for oneself: ‘Oh, no. I got caught. What will happen to me?’ The latter is regret for the offence against God’s love, the pain for having grieved the Holy Spirit. In other words, it is possible to ‘repent’ out of fear of reprisal, rather than from a hatred of sin… Godly sorrow is prompted by recognition that one’s sin has offended God. Worldly sorrow is born of self-pity and anger for being exposed.”
V11 describes the fruit of repentance, which John the Baptist demanded in Luke 3:8. First, Paul mentions earnestness, which is doing what is right. Second, Paul notes eagerness to clear your name, not denying guilt, but working to make it right so that your reputation and more importantly Christ’s reputation (Romans 2:24), is not adversely affected. Third, there is indignation, where you are mad at yourself for letting things get to this point. Fourth, there is alarm, or fear of divine judgment, or God’s discipline. In the case of the Corinthians, they had learned also to fear Paul’s discipline, much as a child learns to fear the spanking from his daddy. Fifth, a fruit of repentance is longing to be restored and reunited to both the person harmed and God, from whom the sin had separated you. Sixth, there is concern, or zeal. You want the injured party to be lifted up and blessed, not filled with agony and pain on account of your wrongdoing. And seventh, another fruit of repentance is readiness to see justice done, even if that means bearing the disciplinary action for what you have done. In each of these areas, Paul’s sees the fruit of repentance from the Corinthians. Storms points to 1 Thessalonians 1:9 and says, “There must be an overt determination to pursue purity, to do what pleases God.” J.I. Packer notes, “It is, in fact, a law of the spiritual life that the further you go, the more you are aware of the distance still to be covered. Your growing desire for God makes you increasingly conscious, not so much of where you are in your relationship with him as of where as yet you are not.” And Storms concludes, “Remorse, regret, sorrow, and the pain provoked by sin will only increase and intensify the longer we are Christians. Maturity in the faith does not lead to less sorrow over sin, but more. The pain does not diminish; it deepens.”
Finally, in v12, Paul says, “Before God you could see for yourselves.” It’s a reminder of the truth that we live Coram Deo, before the face of God. And it’s Paul saying, “I knew all along that you loved me and would do the right thing by the power of God. And sure enough you have done it. Now you can see for yourselves how faithful and devoted you are to the truth of God and to me as well” (1 Corinthians 4:14).
4) V13-16 – 13By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
Encouragement and joy and refreshment abound in repentance and forgiveness and renewed fellowship (v13). Paul had boasted to Titus about the Corinthians (v12), having always considered them honorably though his pain from dealing with them was genuine, and they lived up to the hype. When we love someone, no matter how they treat us, we cannot help but talk highly of them on account of our great love for them. This is how it ought to be for believers and the church. Do you love the church? Then don’t criticize her behind her back when talking to others about her. And finally, the Corinthians were humbled by the Holy Spirit before Titus’ arrival, and their respect for him was a great blessing that confirmed Paul’s confidence in them and increased Titus’ affection for them.