Devotional Questions:
2 Corinthians 7:2-4
“Paul is not afraid to call the Corinthians to action because he is convinced of their genuine standing as Christians. Hence, as a mediator of the Spirit under the new covenant, he has ‘great confidence’ (parresia, better, ‘boldness of speech’) toward them. As the parallel in 3:12 indicates, he is speaking boldly in 7:2–3 because he is convinced that those in whom the Spirit is at work will respond to the commands of the gospel (cf. 3:3–18; 5:17). In the end, nobody can do anything against the truth (cf. 13:8).”[1]
- Reflect on the facts Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians of in v. 2 as he pleads with them to “make room for us in your hearts,” and how crucial this might have been for the turn-around of some of the Corinthians.
- What does this tell me regarding the need for trust relationships with the people of God for God to speak truth into my life?
2 Corinthians 7:8-9
- Think of what would have happened if Apostle Paul was afraid of causing the Corinthians “sorrow” and did not send the harsh letter. Have there been times when I sacrificed truth so that I would not hurt people’s feelings or offend them?
- What does the phrase “as God intended” teach me about correction, rebuke and repentance (cf. Heb 12:5-11)? How does this change my view towards rebuke?
2 Corinthians 7:9-16
“‘Repentance’ includes both the remorse that comes from recognizing that one has wronged God and its consequent resolve to reverse one’s behavior as seen in the first steps in that new direction. Therefore, though its consequences are long-term, repentance is indicated by an initial change in both attitude and action.”[2]
“A godly sorrow produces a true repentance, and a true repentance is one which demonstrates its sorrow by its deeds.”[3]
- What does godly sorrow produce? What does this tell me about the process of repentance?
- What can I learn from the fact that Apostle Paul was convinced of their repentance in their treatment of Titus? What is my attitude towards people God uses to initiate repentance?
- What are the results of worldly sorrow?
Additional Questions:
2 Corinthians 7:1
- What is the proper motivation for a Christian’s desire for purity of life?
- Reflect on the words: “everything that contaminates body and spirit.” What are some things in my life that “contaminate,” which I need to deal with “out of reverence for God?”
2 Corinthians 7:4-9, 12-16
“All too often the church is likewise emaciated when it comes to experiencing deep and lasting joy in the midst of adversity because we no longer gain our identity by living within the community of faith. What we love, and therefore what we get excited about, is no longer wrapped up with the progress of God’s people. The basis of our contentment is not the growing Christ-likeness of our church, but the comfort level of our personal circumstances. Conversely, we are famished when it comes to feeling grief over sin because what we hate, and therefore what we feel remorse about, no longer revolves around the reality of who God is in our midst. What makes us sad is no longer the sting of our sin, but the frustration of our failed dreams and the lack of freedom to get whatever we want.”[4]
- Notice all the occurrences of words like “joy,” “happy,” “comforted,” “refreshed” and “encouraged.”
- How is it that although he was “harassed at every turn” and facing “conflicts on the outside” and “fears within” (v. 5), Apostle Paul (and Titus) could experience such things?
- How does this compare with what brings me joy, comfort and encouragement?
[1] Hafemann, Scott J. “Commentary on 2 Corinthians” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 42-11. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.
[2] Hafemann, Scott J. “Commentary on 2 Corinthians” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 42-11. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.
[3] William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians, Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975). 227.
[4] Hafemann, Scott J. “Commentary on 2 Corinthians” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 42-11. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.
Commentary:
v.1 “Defilement ‘of body and spirit’ means that the entire person, externally and internally, is corrupted by idolatrous practices in much the same way that sexual relations with a prostitute corrupts both body and spirit (1 Cor 6:15–18). Paul still must convince some in Corinth that participation in anything publicly associated with idols endangers their spiritual lives.
“Therefore Paul calls them to perfect their ‘holiness.’ The verb ‘to perfect’ (epitelein) means ‘to bring to completion,’ ‘to bring to its intended goal’ and does not mean that they are to become perfect. In the greetings of both letters to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes that they have been set apart (1 Cor 1:2) and called to be ‘holy ones’ (‘saints,’ ‘those who are set apart,’ 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1). Barnett comments, ‘The holiness that is to be perfected is covenantal rather than developmental or progressive in character.’ Holiness is ‘something that God gives to Christians (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Thess 2:13) but also something Christians strive to complete (1 Cor 7:34; 1 Thess 4:1–8; Rom 6:19), as well as something that God will ultimately complete (1 Thess 3:13).’”[1]
vv.8-9 “Paul’s sole object in giving rebuke was to enable people to be what they ought to be. By his rebuke he wished the Corinthians to see the real earnestness they possessed for him in spite of their disobedience and their trouble-making. Such a course might for the moment cause pain, but its ultimate object was not the pain; it was not to knock them down, but to lift them up; it was not to discourage them, but to encourage them; it was not simply to eradicate the evil, but to make the good grow.”[2]
vv.10-11 “A godly sorrow produces a true repentance, and a true repentance is one which demonstrates its sorrow by its deeds. The Corinthians proved their repentance by doing everything they could to mend the wretched situation that their thoughtless conduct had produced. Now they hated the sin they had committed, and even hated themselves for committing it, and they laboured to atone for it. A worldly sorrow is not really sorrow at all in one sense but it is not sorrow for its sin or for the hurt it may have caused others; it is only resentment that it has been found out. If it got the chance to do the same thing again and thought it could escape the consequences, it would do it. A godly sorrow is a sorrow which has come to see the wrongness of the thing it did. It is not just the consequences of the thing it regrets; it hates the thing itself. We must be very careful that our sorrow for sin is not merely sorrow that we have been found out, but sorrow which, seeing the evil of the sinful thing is determined never to do it again and has dedicated the rest of its life to atone, by God’s grace, for what it has done.”[3]
[1] The letters to the Corinthians. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (2 Co 8:1). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
[2]The letters to the Corinthians. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (2 Co 8:1). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
[3]The letters to the Corinthians. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (2 Co 8:1). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.