II Corinthians 7:11
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Confirmation of Co2 7:10 from the Corinthians' own experience. carefulness--solicitude, literally, "diligence"; opposed to their past negligence in the matter. in you--Greek "for you." yea--not only "carefulness" or diligence, but also "clearing of yourselves," namely, to me by Titus: anxiety to show you disapproved of the deed. indignation--against the offender. fear--of the wrath of God, and of sinning any more [SCLATER and CALVIN]; fear of Paul [GROTIUS], (Co1 4:2, Co1 4:19-21). vehement desire--longing for restoration to Paul's approval [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. "Fear" is in spite of one's self. "Longing desire" is spontaneous, and implies strong love and an aspiration for correction [CALVIN]. "Desire" for the presence of Paul, as he had given them the hope of it (Co1 4:19; Co1 16:5) [GROTIUS and ESTIUS]. zeal--for right and for God's honor against what is wrong. Or, "for the good of the soul of the offender" [BENGEL]. revenge--Translate, "Exacting of punishment" (Co1 5:2-3). Their "carefulness" was exhibited in the six points just specified: "clearing of themselves," and "indignation" in relation to themselves; "fear" and "vehement desire" in respect to the apostle; "zeal" and "revenge" in respect to the offender [BENGEL]; (compare Co2 7:7). In all--the respects just stated. clear--Greek, "pure," namely, from complicity in the guilty deed. "Approved yourselves," Greek, "commended yourselves." Whatever suspicion of complicity rested on you (Co1 5:2, Co1 5:6) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.
Open source ↗This chapter begins with an exhortation to progressive holiness and a due regard to the ministers of the gospel (Co2 7:1-4). Then the apostle returns from a long digression to speak further of the affair concerning the incestuous person, and tells them what comfort he received in his distress about that matter, upon his meeting with Titus (Co2 7:5-7), and how re rejoiced in their repentance, with the evidences thereof (Co2 7:8-11). And, lastly, he concludes with endeavouring to comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had so good an effect (Co2 7:12-16).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.