2 Korinther 7:7-16

7 nicht allein aber durch seine Ankunft, sondern auch durch den Trost, mit dem er getröstet war an euch, da er uns verkündigte euer Verlangen, euer Weinen, euren Eifer um mich, also daß ich mich noch mehr freute.

8 Denn daß ich euch durch den Brief habe traurig gemacht, reut mich nicht. Und ob's mich reute, dieweil ich sehe, daß der Brief vielleicht eine Weile euch betrübt hat,

9 so freue ich mich doch nun, nicht darüber, daß ihr seid betrübt worden, sondern daß ihr betrübt seid worden zur Reue. Denn ihr seid göttlich betrübt worden, daß ihr von uns ja keinen Schaden irgendworin nehmet.

10 Denn göttliche Traurigkeit wirkt zur Seligkeit einen Reue, die niemand gereut; die Traurigkeit aber der Welt wirkt den Tod.

11 Siehe, daß ihr göttlich seid betrübt worden, welchen Fleiß hat das in euch gewirkt, dazu Verantwortung, Zorn, Furcht, Verlangen, Eifer, Rache! Ihr habt euch bewiesen in allen Stücken, daß ihr rein seid in der Sache.

12 Darum, ob ich euch geschrieben habe, so ist's doch nicht geschehen um des willen, der beleidigt hat, auch nicht um des willen, der beleidigt ist, sondern um deswillen, daß euer Fleiß gegen uns offenbar sein würde bei euch vor Gott.

13 Derhalben sind wir getröstet worden, daß ihr getröstet seid. Überschwenglicher aber haben wir uns noch gefreut über die Freude des Titus; denn sein Geist ist erquickt an euch allen.

14 Denn was ich vor ihm von euch gerühmt habe, darin bin ich nicht zu Schanden geworden; sondern, gleichwie alles wahr ist, was ich von euch geredet habe, also ist auch unser Rühmen vor Titus wahr geworden.

15 Und er ist überaus herzlich wohl gegen euch gesinnt, wenn er gedenkt an euer aller Gehorsam, wie ihr ihn mit Furcht und Zittern habt aufgenommen.

16 Ich freue mich, daß ich mich zu euch alles Guten versehen darf.

2 Korinther 7:7-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 7

This chapter begins with an inference deduced, from what is said in the latter part of the foregoing chapter, engaging to holiness of heart and life, in opposition to filthiness of flesh and spirit, 2Co 7:1 and the apostle, in order to prevail upon the Corinthians kindly to receive his exhortations, observes his own conduct, and that of his fellow ministers towards them; as that they had done them no injury by the advice they had given them, nor had they corrupted them by unsound doctrine, or had coveted their worldly substance, 2Co 7:2 not that by so saying he would insinuate as if they had been guilty of injury, corruption, and covetousness; it was far from his thoughts to suggest anything of that kind concerning them, for whom he had so great an affection, as never to separate from them, but living and dying to continue the same regards unto them, 2Co 7:3 and which he expresses, and had shown everywhere, by the freedom of speech he had used concerning them, and his boasting of them, and the joy and comfort he had in the midst of his troubles, by the good news he had received of them, 2Co 7:4, which he had in the following manner; for though when in Macedonia he had no rest, partly through outward troubles, and partly through inward fears, 2Co 7:5 yet meeting with Titus, who had been with them, and had brought an account of their state, it was a means God made use of for the comfort of him, 2Co 7:6 and it was not merely the sight of Titus that yielded him this consolation, but the comfortable reception he had met with at Corinth; and also the good effect the apostle's letter written to them had upon them, as related by Titus; what a desire they had to see him, what grief that they should sin, and by it distress him, and what a fervent affection they had for him 2Co 7:7 for which reason he did not repent of the letter he sent them, though it did produce sorrow in them, since that was of the right kind, and was but for a time, 2Co 7:8 yea, he was so far from it, that he was glad, not merely on account of their sorrow, but because their sorrow was a godly one, and issued in repentance; and so they were no losers, but gainers by the epistle, it producing such good effects, 2Co 7:9 which leads him to distinguish between a true right godly sorrow, and a worldly one, and that by their consequences; repentance and salvation following upon the one, and death upon the other, 2Co 7:10 the fruits and evidences of which godly and true repentance he makes mention of in seven particulars, by which it appeared that their sorrow and repentance were sincere and genuine, 2Co 7:11 when the apostle proceeds to observe to them the end he had in view in writing to them, upon the account of the incestuous person, in which he had used great plainness and faithfulness; and this was not merely on account of him that offended, nor only on account of the person injured by him, but chiefly to testify his care of, and concern for their welfare, as a church of Christ, 2Co 7:12 and inasmuch as though they had been grieved, yet were now comforted, it added to the consolation of the apostle and his companions, and the more delighted they were, when they understood what a reception Titus had among them, what reverence he was had in, what respect was shown him, and care was taken of him, 2Co 7:13 and the rather, seeing the apostle had boasted of the liberality, generosity, and affectionate regard of the Corinthians to the ministers of the Gospel, Titus found it to be all true what he had said; so that he had no reason to be ashamed, as he must have been, had they behaved otherwise, 2Co 7:14 and still it gave him further pleasure, that by their behaviour to Titus, they had gained his heart, and increased his affection towards them; which he could not but express, whenever he called to mind, or made mention of the great respect, veneration, and obedience, they yielded to him, 2Co 7:15 and indeed it was not only in this instance, but in all others, the apostle had confidence concerning them, which heightened his joy and pleasure in them, 2Co 7:16.