2Cor 7:9-11 | RWP | e4.org | Now I rejoice ( νυν χαιρω ). Now that Titus has come and told him the good news from Corinth ( .). This was the occasion of the noble outburst in . Unto repentance ( εις μετανοιαν ). Note the sharp difference here between "sorrow" ( λυπη ) which is merely another form of μεταμελομα (regret, remorse) and "repentance" ( μετανοια ) or change of mind and life. It is a linguistic and theological tragedy that we have to go on using "repentance" for μετανοια . But observe that the "sorrow" has led to "repentance" and was not Itself the repentance. After a godly sort ( κατα θεον ). In God's way. "God's way as opposed to man's way and the devil's way" (Plummer). It was not mere sorrow, but a change in their attitude that counted. That ye might suffer loss by us in nothing ( ινα εν μηδεν ζημιωθητε εξ υμων ). Purpose clause with ινα and first aorist passive subjunctive of ζημιοω , old verb to suffer damage. See on . This was God's intention and so he overruled their sorrow to good.

‏ 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Now I rejoice ( νυν χαιρω ). Now that Titus has come and told him the good news from Corinth (2:12f.). This was the occasion of the noble outburst in 2:12-6:10.

Unto repentance ( εις μετανοιαν ). Note the sharp difference here between "sorrow" ( λυπη ) which is merely another form of μεταμελομα (regret, remorse) and "repentance" ( μετανοια ) or change of mind and life. It is a linguistic and theological tragedy that we have to go on using "repentance" for μετανοια. But observe that the "sorrow" has led to "repentance" and was not Itself the repentance.

After a godly sort ( κατα θεον ). In God's way. "God's way as opposed to man's way and the devil's way" (Plummer). It was not mere sorrow, but a change in their attitude that counted.

That ye might suffer loss by us in nothing ( ινα εν μηδεν ζημιωθητε εξ υμων ). Purpose clause with ινα and first aorist passive subjunctive of ζημιοω, old verb to suffer damage. See on Mt 16:26. This was God's intention and so he overruled their sorrow to good.

For godly sorrow ( η γαρ κατα θεον λυπη ). "For the sorrow according to God" (God's ideal, verse 9).

Worketh repentance unto salvation a repentance without regret ( μετανοιαν εις σωτηριαν αμεταμελητον εργαζετα ). This clause alone should have prevented the confusion between mere "sorrow" ( λυπη ) as indicated in μεταμελομα, to regret (to be sorry again) and "change of mind and life" as shown by μετανοιαν ( μετανοεω ) and wrongly translated "repentance." The sorrow according to God does work this "change of mind and life" unto salvation, a change "not to be regretted" ( αμεταμελητον, an old verbal adjective of μεταμελομα and α privative, but here alone in N.T.). It agrees with μετανοιαν, not σωτηριαν.

But the sorrow of the world ( η δε του κοσμου λυπη ). 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, μετεμεληθη ). Works out (perfective use of κατ- ) death in the end.

This selfsame thing ( αυτο τουτο ). "This very thing," "the being made sorry according to God" ( το κατα θεον λυπηθηνα, articular first aorist passive infinitive with which αυτο τουτο agrees and the proleptic subject of the verb κατειργασατο.

Earnest care ( σπουδην ). Diligence, from σπευδω, to hasten. Cf. Ro 12:11.

Yea ( αλλα ). Not adversative use of αλλα, but copulative as is common (half dozen examples here).

Clearing of yourselves ( απολογια ). In the old notion of απολογια (self-vindication, self-defence) as in 1Pe 3:15.

Indignation ( αγανακτησιν ). Old word, only here in N.T. From αγανακτεο (Mr 10:14, etc.).

Avenging ( εκδικησιν ). Late word from εκδικεω, to avenge, to do justice (Lu 18:5; 21:22), vindication from wrong as in Lu 18:7, to secure punishment (1Pe 2:14).

Pure ( αγνους ). Kin to αγιος ( αζω, to reverence), immaculate.