2 Corinthians 7:9

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.

Now {G3568} I rejoice {G5463}, not {G3756} that {G3754} ye were made sorry {G3076}, but {G235} that {G3754} ye sorrowed {G3076} to {G1519} repentance {G3341}: for {G1063} ye were made sorry {G3076} after {G2596} a godly manner {G2316}, that {G2443} ye might receive damage {G2210} by {G1537} us {G2257} in {G1722} nothing {G3367}.

now I rejoice not because you were pained, but because the pain led you to turn back to God. For you handled the pain in God’s way, so that you were not harmed by us at all.

And 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.

I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing.

Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 7:9, the Apostle Paul expresses his profound joy regarding the Corinthian church's response to his previous, stern letter. He clarifies that his rejoicing is not in their pain itself, but in the transformative outcome of that pain: genuine repentance.

Context

This verse comes at a pivotal point in Paul's relationship with the Corinthian believers. Paul had previously written a severe letter (often thought to be a lost letter or parts of 1 Corinthians) addressing significant issues like immorality, divisions, and challenges to his authority within the church. He then sent Titus to Corinth to assess their reaction. The news brought back by Titus was a great relief and comfort to Paul, as recounted in 2 Corinthians 7:6-7. The Corinthians had indeed been grieved by Paul's rebuke, but this grief was not destructive; it was a catalyst for positive change and spiritual restoration.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Godly Sorrow: Paul clearly distinguishes between a sorrow that leads to despair and one that leads to true repentance and salvation. The Corinthians' sorrow was "after a godly manner," meaning it was aligned with God's will and purposes. This crucial distinction is further elaborated in the very next verse, 2 Corinthians 7:10, which states that "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of."
  • Divine Purpose in Correction: The verse highlights that God often uses challenging circumstances or firm correction, even if painful, as a means to bring about spiritual growth and purification. Paul's intent was never to cause harm but to prompt a necessary turning away from sin and toward God.
  • Paul's Pastoral Heart: Paul's joy underscores his deep love and concern for the Corinthian church. His ultimate desire was their spiritual well-being and restoration, not their suffering. His rejoicing was for their repentance, indicating his role as a shepherd guiding his flock to righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sorrowed to repentance" translates the Greek metanoian (μετάνοιαν), which signifies more than just regret or feeling bad about one's actions. It implies a fundamental "change of mind" or a "turning around" – a decisive shift in attitude, direction, and behavior, leading to a new way of life. The term "godly manner" (Greek: kata Theon, κατὰ Θεόν) emphasizes that this sorrow was not merely human disappointment or shame, but a sorrow that originated from God, was directed towards God, and was in accordance with God's will. It was a sorrow that recognized sin as an offense against God.

Practical Application

This verse offers vital insights for believers today. When faced with conviction over sin or correction from spiritual leaders, it's crucial to examine the nature of our sorrow. Is it merely regret over consequences, or is it a godly sorrow that leads to genuine change? True repentance is transformative and leads to life, not death. It reminds us that God's discipline, though painful in the short term, is always for our ultimate good and spiritual health, leading to no lasting "damage" but rather to lasting righteousness and peace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 31:18

    ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.

  • Jeremiah 31:20

    [Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:10

    For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:11

    For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

  • Luke 15:7

    I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

  • Acts 20:21

    Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:8

    For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
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