2 Corinthians 7:8-12 (WEL) For even though I made you sad with the letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it, for I perceive that the same letter has made you sad—though only for a brief time. 9 Now I rejoice, not that I made you sad, but that you were sad, which led to your repentance. For you were sad in a godly way, so that you might not suffer any harm from us. 10 For godly sorrow brings about a repentance to salvation not to be regretted, but worldly sorrow brings about death.
V8 For even though I made you sad with the letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it, for I perceive that the same letter has made you sad—though only for a brief time.
There is purpose in sorrow. If afflictions, troubles, suffering happen, then we pray and wait for God to help us. If rebuke or warning happen then we examine ourselves according to the Scriptures and do what is necessary. It may be to repent, ask forgiveness, and make correction. It may be to wait and see why there is a delay to answered prayer. God’s decisions are always perfect and done in wisdom, love, and holiness.
Sin brings consequences of punishment; repentance brings consequences of forgiveness, peace, and joy.
V9 Now I rejoice, not that I made you sad, but that you were sad, which led to your repentance. For you were sad in a godly way, so that you might not suffer any harm from us.
Paul explains that he rejoices at this news. His rejoicing was not from their sorrow but their repentance. Their sorrow is not because they were exposed but because they repented and acted as God would approve. The harm would be church discipline and rebuke.
V10 For godly sorrow brings about a repentance to salvation not to be regretted, but worldly sorrow brings about death.
There are two types of sorrow. There is the sorrow of being exposed and the sorrow of guilt bringing repentance and restoration.
(Robertson Word Pictures): “In contrast, the kind of sorrow that the world has, grief “for failure, not for sin” (Bernard), for the results as seen in Cain, Esau (his tears!), and Judas (remorse, metemelēthē). Works out (perfective use of kaṫ) death in the end.”
(Vincent): “It should be carefully observed that the two words, repentance, not to be repented of, represent different roots and different ideas: repentance (μετάνοιαν) denoting the moral change, and to be repented of denoting the sentiment of misgiving or regret (see on Matthew 21:29), and so answering to λύπη sorrow. The Rev. brings out the distinction by substituting regret for repentance.”
We learn:
- The difference between repentance for being exposed, caught, which is regret, and repentance for being sad because of the sin, which is sorrow for sinning and displeasing God.
Questions:
- Have you experienced the two types of sorrow and repentance?
- Have you repented and made things right with God and other people?