2 Corinthians 7:9

Translations

Modern

…yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.

Traditional

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Literal

Now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved unto repentance. For you were grieved according to God, so that you might suffer loss in nothing through us.

Latin

…nunc gaudeo: non quia contristati estis, sed quia contristati estis ad pœnitentiam. Contristati enim estis ad Deum, ut in nullo detrimentum patiamini ex nobis.

Original

Greek

English

…yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.

Notes

2 Corinthians 7:9–10

There are two types of sorrow:

Worldly sorrow, which does not include repentance, leads to spiritual death (for example, see Matthew 27:3–6; Hebrews 12:16–17).
Sorrow that turns us away from sin leads to salvation, as demonstrated when the church in Corinth responded positively to Paul's criticism.

2 Corinthians 7:8–13

At first, Paul regretted sending his previous letter (see 2:3–4). Now he does not regret it, realizing the pain was worthwhile. The severe letter led the church in Corinth to repent. They rebuked the offending person—perhaps too strongly (see 2:6–11).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Titus

Related verses

Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Jeremiah 31:18–20
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.
Psalm 38:18
Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
2 Corinthians 13:8–10
For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.
2 Corinthians 7:10–11
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
2 Corinthians 10:8–10
For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
Isaiah 6:9–11
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
2 Corinthians 7:6–7
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
2 Corinthians 1:12
For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
Acts 20:21
…testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Paul the Apostle Repentance Second Letter to the Corinthians Titus, Letter to

Topics

Christian Minister: Duties of Converting People Repentance: Exemplified Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their Repentance: True: Corinthians

2 Corinthians 7:9

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