2Cor 7:6-15 | RWP | e4.org | Cormforteth ( παρακαλων ). See on for this word. The lowly ( τους ταπεινους ). See on . Literally, low on the ground in old sense ( ). Low in condition as here; . In regarded as abject. In this sense in papyri. "Humility as a sovereign grace is the creation of Christianity" (Gladstone, Life , iii, p. 466). By the coming ( εν τη παρουσια ). Same use of παρουσια as in which see. See also ; .

‏ 2 Corinthians 7:6-15

Cormforteth ( παρακαλων ). See on 1:3-7 for this word.

The lowly ( τους ταπεινους ). See on Mt 11:29. Literally, low on the ground in old sense (Eze 17:24). Low in condition as here; Jas 1:9. In 2Co 10:1 regarded as abject. In this sense in papyri. "Humility as a sovereign grace is the creation of Christianity" (Gladstone, Life, iii, p. 466).

By the coming ( εν τη παρουσια ). Same use of παρουσια as in 1Co 16:7 which see. See also 2Co 7:7; 10:10.

Wherewith ( η ). Either locative case with preceding εν or instrumental of the relative with παρεκληθη (first aorist passive indicative). "The manner in which Paul, so to speak, fondles this word ( παρακαλεω ) is most beautiful" (Vincent).

In you ( εφ' υμιν ). Over you, upon you.

Your longing ( την υμων επιποθησιν ). Late word from επιποθεω ( επ, directive, longing towards, yearning). Only here in N.T.

Mourning ( οδυρμον ). Old word from οδυρομα, to lament. Only here in N.T.

So that I rejoiced yet more ( ωστε με μαλλον χαρηνα ). Result expressed by ωστε and the second aorist passive infinitive of χαιρω with accusative of general reference.

Though ( ε κα ). If also. Paul treats it as a fact.

With my epistle ( εν τη επιστολη ). The one referred to in 2:3f.

I do not regret it ( ου μεταμελομα ). This verb really means "repent" (be sorry again) which meaning we have transferred to μετανοεω, to change one's mind (not to be sorry at all). See Mt 21:30; 27:3 for the verb μεταμελομα, to be sorry, to regret as here. Paul is now glad that he made them sorry.

Though I did regret ( ε κα μετεμελομην ). Imperfect indicative in the concessive clause. I was in a regretful mood at first.

For I see ( βλεπω γαρ ). A parenthetical explanation of his present joy in their sorrow. B D do not have γαρ. The Latin Vulgate has videns (seeing) for βλεπων.

For a season ( προς ωραν ). Cf. 1Th 2:17. It was only "for an hour."

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.

But that your earnest care for us might be made manifest ( αλλ' εινεκεν του φανερωθηνα την σπουδην υμων την υπερ ημων ). So the correct text, not "our care for you." Easy to interchange Greek υμων (your) and ημων (our). Usual construction with preposition ενεκεν and genitive of articular infinitive with accusative of general reference.

We joyed the more exceedingly ( περισσοτερως μαλλον εχαρημεν ). Double comparative (pleonastic use of μαλλον, more, with περισσοτερως, more abundantly) as is common in the Koine (Mr 7:36; Php 1:23).

For the joy of Titus ( επ τη χαρα Τιτου ). On the basis of ( επ ) the joy of Titus who was proud of the outcome of his labours in Corinth.

Hath been refreshed ( αναπεπαυτα ). Perfect passive indicative of αναπαυω. Cf. 1Co 16:18 for this striking verb.

If--I have gloried ( ει--κεκαυχημα ). Condition of first class. On this verb see 1Co 3:21; 2Co 5:12.

I was not put to shame ( ου κατηισχυνθην ). First aorist passive indicative of καταισχυνω. Paul had assured Titus, who hesitated to go after the failure of Timothy, that the Corinthians were sound at bottom and would come round all right if handled properly. Paul's joy is equal to that of Titus.

In truth ( εν αληθεια ). In the sharp letter as well as in I Corinthians. He had not hesitated to speak plainly of their sins.

Our glorying before Titus ( η καυχησις επ Τιτου ). The two things were not inconsistent and were not contradictory as the outcome proved.

Whilst he remembereth ( αναμιμνησκομενου ). Present middle participle of αναμιμνησκω, to remind, in the genitive case agreeing with αυτου (his, of him).

The obedience of you all ( την παντων υμων υπακουην ). A remarkable statement of the complete victory of Titus in spite of a stubborn minority still opposing Paul.

With fear and trembling ( μετα φοβου κα τρομου ). He had brought a stern message (1Co 5:5) and they had trembled at the words of Titus (cf. Eph 6:5; Php 2:12). Paul had himself come to the Corinthians at first with a nervous dread (1Co 2:3).