Chapter 7
7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
The promises Paul is referring to in this verse applies to those given at the end of chapter six, that in the situation of being unequally yoked requires us to remove ourselves from that scenario and cleanse ourselves from every defilement. But there is more we can get from this verse. As Christians we can become ’numb’ to the influences of non-Godly things in our lives, such as watching things on television that are not edifying, reading a horoscope, having sex before marriage, etc. Many of which can impede our relationship with God. Remember that the Holy Spirit lives in us, try not to grieve Him (see Ephesians 4:30).
Comfort and Joy
7:2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
Paul desires that the church make room for them in their hearts as they have not done wrong to anyone, they have not caused anyone to suffer loss, nor have they exploited anyone. Paul informs them that he is not saying these things to condemn them, as they are on his and fellow worker’s hearts, and they live and die together. He proclaims to them that he has great confidence and pride in them and that he is filled with comfort. Even in all of their afflictions, he has great joy.
7:5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
When they came into Macedonia (north of Achaia where Corinth was located) Paul notes that they had no rest and were afflicted (Greek thilbomenoi, to suffer trouble or hardship) where they were fighting battles in the world while dealing with fear on the inside. But God comforted them with the arrival of Titus (an often companion to Paul, see Acts 18:7; Galatians 2:1, 3; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:4, his name is seen eight times in this epistle). Paul tells them that it was a joy to see Titus, but after hearing the news of their desire to see Paul, to see how sorry they were for having so many problems that had to be addressed in his first epistle, and see how loyal they were to him, he was filled with joy!
Paul announces that even though his first epistle may have made them grieve, he does not regret sending it, though he did regret it after hearing they were grieved when they received it, but only for a short time. Paul now rejoices because they took that first epistle seriously and expressed a godly grief over it, which brought them to repent and change, preventing any punitive action from them.
7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.
Paul explains the difference between “godly grief” and “worldly grief.” A godly grief brings one to repentance which leads to salvation (note this is done without regret, no compulsion other than doing the right thing). On the other hand, a worldly grief is superficial which is typically due to the sorrow of being caught, and this worldly grief ends with death. Paul commends them for their godly grief and that they earnestly sought to correct their wrongs, including enforcing the appropriate punishment, which they did, proving themselves innocent in the matters Paul identified in the first epistle. He then admits that the reason he wrote that epistle was so that they could see how devoted they were to him in the sight of God.
7:13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.
Paul again notes that he and his fellow workers are comforted. Plus, they also have the joy conveyed to them by Titus as he was refreshed by them, and Paul noted that everything said to them regarding Titus also proved to be true. Paul notes that Titus’ affection for them is even greater now, as he remembers how they all listened to him and received him with fear and deep respect. Paul adds that he rejoices because he has complete confidence in them.