For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto
salvation
These words contain a reason, proving that they had received no
damage, but profit by the sorrow that had possessed them, from
the nature of it, a "godly" sorrow; a sorrow which had God for
its author; it did not arise from the power of free will, nor
from the dictates of a natural conscience, nor from a work of the
law on their hearts, or from a fear of hell and damnation, but it
sprung from the free grace of God; it was a gift of his grace,
the work of his Spirit, and the produce of his almighty power;
being such, which no means, as judgments, mercies, or the most
powerful ministry of themselves could effect; it was owing to
divine instructions; it was heightened and increased with a
discovery of the love of God, and views of pardoning grace and
mercy being attended with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: it had
God also for its object, as well as its author; it was a sorrow,
(ahla ljmd) , "which is
for God", as the Syriac version reads the words, and also the
Ethiopic; on the account of God, his honour, interest, and glory;
it was a sorrow for sin, because it was committed against a God
of infinite holiness, justice, and truth, goodness, grace, and
mercy; and it was a sorrow, (kata
yeon) , "according to God", according to the mind and will
of God; it was, as it is rendered by the Arabic version,
"grateful to God"; what he took notice of, observed, and approved
of; and was also such a sorrow as bore some resemblance to what
in God goes by the name of grieving and repenting, as that he had
made man, because of sin; there being in it a displicency with
sin, an hatred of it, and a repentance that ever it was
committed: moreover, this sorrow is further described, from its
salutary operation, it "worketh repentance"; it is the beginning
of it, a part of it, an essential part of it, without which there
is no true repentance; this produces it, issues in it, even in an
ingenuous confession of sin, a forsaking of it, and in bringing
forth fruits meet for repentance, in the life and conversation:
and this repentance is unto salvation; not the cause or author of
it, for that is Christ alone; nor the condition of it, but is
itself a blessing of salvation, a part of it, the initial part of
it, by which, and faith we enter upon the possession of
salvation; it is an evidence of interest in it, and issues in the
full enjoyment of it: and this, or repentance, is such as is
not to be repented of;
or that is stable and immovable, as the Vulgate Latin version
renders it; which "never returns", or goes back, as the Syriac
version, but remains the same not repented of; for to either of
them may it be applied: salvation is not to be repented of; it is
not repented of by God, who repents not, neither of the thing
itself, nor of the way and manner in which it is effected, nor of
the persons saved by it, and his choice of them to it; nor is it
repented of by them, who believe in Christ to the saving of their
souls: nor is true repentance, which is connected with it, to be
repented of; God does not repent of giving it, for "his gifts and
calling are without repentance"; nor does the repenting sinner
repent of it; nor has he any occasion, since it is unto life,
even "unto eternal life", as the Ethiopic version here renders
it; and as it is called "repentance unto life", in ( Acts 11:18 ) . This
sorrow is likewise illustrated by its contrary,
but the sorrow of the world worketh death;
a worldly sorrow is such, as is common to men of the world, as
Cain, Pharaoh, Judas, and others; it springs from worldly selfish
principles, and proceeds on worldly views; it is often nothing
more than a concern for the loss of worldly things, as riches,
honours or for a disappointment in the gratification of worldly
lusts and pleasures: and this worketh death; temporal and eternal
death; it sometimes brings diseases and disorders on the body,
which issue in death; and sometimes puts men upon destroying
themselves, as it did Ahithophel and Judas; it works in the minds
of men a fearful apprehension of eternal death, and, if grace
prevent not, issues in it.