1HavingG2192 thereforeG3767 theseG5025 promisesG1860, dearly belovedG27, let us cleanseG2511 ourselvesG1438 fromG575 allG3956 filthinessG3436 of the fleshG4561 andG2532 spiritG4151, perfectingG2005 holinessG42 inG1722 the fearG5401 of GodG2316. 2ReceiveG5562 usG2248; we have wrongedG91 no manG3762, we have corruptedG5351 no manG3762, we have defraudedG4122 no manG3762. 3I speakG3004 notG3756 this toG4314 condemnG2633 you: forG1063 I have said beforeG4280, thatG3754 ye areG2075 inG1722 ourG2257 heartsG2588 toG1519 dieG4880 andG2532 live withG4800 you. 4GreatG4183 is myG3427 boldness of speechG3954 towardG4314 youG5209, greatG4183 is myG3427 gloryingG2746 concerningG5228 youG5216: I am filledG4137 with comfortG3874, I am exceedingG5248 joyfulG5479 inG1909 allG3956 ourG2257 tribulationG2347. 5ForG1063 G2532, when weG2257 had comeG2064 intoG1519 MacedoniaG3109, ourG2257 fleshG4561 hadG2192 noG3762 restG425, butG235 we were troubledG2346 onG1722 every sideG3956; withoutG1855 were fightingsG3163, withinG2081 were fearsG5401. 6NeverthelessG235 GodG2316, that comfortethG3870 those that are cast downG5011, comfortedG3870 usG2248 byG1722 the comingG3952 of TitusG5103; 7AndG1161 notG3756 byG1722 hisG846 comingG3952 onlyG3440, butG235 G2532 byG1722 the consolationG3874 with whichG3739 he was comfortedG3870 inG1909 youG5213, when he toldG312 usG2254 yourG5216 earnest desireG1972, yourG5216 mourningG3602, yourG5216 fervent mindG2205 towardG5228 meG1700; soG5620 that IG3165 rejoicedG5463 the moreG3123. 8ForG3754 thoughG1499 I madeG3076 youG5209 sorryG3076 withG1722 a letterG1992, I doG3338 notG3756 repentG3338, thoughG1499 I did repentG3338: forG1063 I perceiveG991 thatG3754 the sameG1565 epistleG1992 hath madeG3076 youG5209 sorryG3076, though it was butG1499 forG4314 a seasonG5610. 9NowG3568 I rejoiceG5463, notG3756 thatG3754 ye were made sorryG3076, butG235 thatG3754 ye sorrowedG3076 toG1519 repentanceG3341: forG1063 ye were made sorryG3076 afterG2596 a godly mannerG2316, thatG2443 ye might suffer lossG2210 throughG1537 usG2257 inG1722 nothingG3367. 10ForG1063 godlyG2316 G2596 sorrowG3077 workethG2716 repentanceG3341 toG1519 salvationG4991 not to be repented ofG278: butG1161 the sorrowG3077 of the worldG2889 workethG2716 deathG2288. 11ForG1063 beholdG2400 thisG5124 very same thingG846, thatG5209 ye sorrowedG3076 afterG2596 a godly sortG2316, whatG4214 diligenceG4710 it wroughtG2716 in youG5213, yeaG235, what clearing of yourselvesG627, yeaG235, what indignationG24, yeaG235, what fearG5401, yeaG235, what vehement desireG1972, yeaG235, what zealG2205, yeaG235, what avenging of wrongG1557! InG1722 allG3956 things ye have provedG4921 yourselvesG1438 to beG1511 clearG53 inG1722 this matterG4229. 12ThereforeG686, thoughG1499 I wroteG1125 to youG5213, I did it notG3756 for his causeG1752 that had done the wrongG91, norG3761 for his causeG1752 that suffered wrongG91, butG235 thatG1752 ourG2257 careG4710 forG5228 youG5216 in the sightG1799 of GodG2316 might appearG5319 toG4314 youG5209. 13ThereforeG1223 G5124 we were comfortedG3870 inG1909 yourG5216 comfortG3874: andG1161 exceedinglyG4056 the moreG3123 we rejoicedG5463 forG1909 the joyG5479 of TitusG5103, becauseG3754 hisG846 spiritG4151 was refreshedG373 byG575 youG5216 allG3956. 14ForG3754 if I have boastedG2744 any thingG1536 to himG846 concerningG5228 youG5216, I amG2617 notG3756 ashamedG2617; butG235 asG5613 we spokeG2980 all thingsG3956 to youG5213 inG1722 truthG225, evenG2532 soG3779 ourG2257 boastingG2746, whichG3588 I made beforeG1909 TitusG5103, is foundG1096 to be trueG225. 15AndG2532 hisG846 affectionG4698 isG2076 more abundantG4056 towardG1519 youG5209, while he rememberethG363 the obedienceG5218 of youG5216 allG3956, howG5613 withG3326 fearG5401 andG2532 tremblingG5156 ye receivedG1209 himG846. 16I rejoiceG5463 therefore thatG3754 I have confidenceG2292 inG1722 youG5213 inG1722 allG3956 things.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 These verses contain a double exhortation: -
I. To make a progress in holiness, or
to perfect holiness in the fear of God, 2Cor 7:1. This exhortation is given with most tender affection to those who were dearly beloved, and enforced by strong arguments, even the consideration of those exceedingly great and precious promises which were mentioned in the former chapter, and which the Corinthians had an interest in and a title to. The promises of God are strong inducements to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely, 1. The dying unto sin, or mortifying our lusts and corruptions: we must
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. Sin is filthiness, and there are defilements of body and mind. There are sins of the flesh, that are committed with the body, and sins of the spirit, spiritual wickednesses; and we must cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of both, for God is to be glorified both with body and soul. 2. The living unto righteousness and holiness. If we hope God is our Father, we must endeavour to be
partakers of his holiness, to be holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. We must be still perfecting holiness, and not be contented with sincerity (which is our gospel perfection), without aiming at sinless perfection, though we shall always come short of it while we are in this world; and this we must do in the
fear of God, which is the root and principle of all religion, and there is no holiness without it. Note, Faith and hope in the promises of God must not destroy our fear of God,
who taketh pleasure in those that fear him and hope in his mercy. II. To show a due regard to the ministers of the gospel:
Receive us, 2Cor 7:2. Those who labour in the word and doctrine should
be had in reputation, and
be highly esteemed for their work's sake: and this would be a help to making progress in holiness. If the ministers of the gospel are thought contemptible because of their office, there is danger lest the gospel itself be contemned also. The apostle did not think it any disparagement to court the favour of the Corinthians; and, though we must flatter none, yet we must be gentle towards all. He tells them, 1. He had done nothing to forfeit their esteem and good-will, but was cautious not to do any thing to deserve their ill-will (
2Cor 7:2):
We have wronged no man: we have done you no harm, but always designed your good.
I have coveted no man's silver, nor gold, nor apparel, said he to the elders of Ephesus,
Acts 20:33.
We have corrupted no man, by false doctrines or flattering speeches.
We have defrauded no man; we have not sought ourselves, nor to promote our own secular interests by crafty and greedy measures, to the damage of any persons. This is an appeal like that of Samuel, 1 Sa. 12. Note, Then may ministers the more confidently expect esteem and favour from the people when they can safely appeal to them that they are guilty of nothing that deserves disesteem or displeasure. 2. He did not herein reflect upon them for want of affection to him,
2Cor 7:3,
2Cor 7:4. So tenderly and cautiously did the apostle deal with the Corinthians, among whom there were some who would be glad of any occasion to reproach him, and prejudice the minds of others against him. To prevent any insinuations against him on account of what he had said, as if he intended to charge them with wronging him, or unjust accusations of him for having wronged them, he assures them again of his great affection to them, insomuch that he could spend his last breath at Corinth, and
live and die with them, if his business with other churches, and his work as an apostle (which was not to be confined to one place only), would permit him to do so. An he adds it was his great affection to them that made him use such
boldness or freedom of
speech towards them, and caused him to
glory, or make his boast of them, in all places, and upon all occasions, being filled with comfort, and exceedingly joyful in all their tribulations.
5 There seems to be a connection between
2Cor 2:13 (where the apostle said he had no rest in his spirit when he found not Titus at Troas) and the fifth verse of this chapter: and so great was his affection to the Corinthians, and his concern about their behaviour in relation to the incestuous person, that, in his further travels, he still had no rest till he heard from them. And now he tells them,
I. How he was distressed,
2Cor 7:5. He was troubled when he did not meet with Titus at Troas, and afterwards when for some time he did not meet with him in Macedonia: this was a grief to him, because he could not hear what reception he met with at Corinth, nor how their affairs went forward. And, besides this, they met with other troubles, with incessant storms of persecutions; there were
fightings without, or continual contentions with, and opposition fRom. Jews and Gentiles; and there were
fears within, and great concern for such as had embraced the Christian faith, lest they should be corrupted or seduced, and give scandal to others, or be scandalized.
II. How he was comforted,
2Cor 7:6,
2Cor 7:7. Here observe, 1. The very coming of Titus was some comfort to him. It was matter of joy to see him, whom he long desired and expected to meet with. The very coming of Titus and his company, who was dear to him as his
own son in the common faith (
Titus 1:4), was a great comfort to the apostle in his travels and troubles. But, 2. The good news which Titus brought concerning the Corinthians was matter of greater consolation. He found Titus to be comforted in them; and this filled the apostle with comfort, especially when he acquainted him with their earnest desire to give good satisfaction in the things about which the apostle had written to them; and of their mourning for the scandal that was found among them and the great grief they had caused to others, and their fervent mind or great affection towards the apostle, who had dealt so faithfully with them in reproving their faults: so true is the observation of Solomon (
Prov 28:23),
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue. 3. He ascribes all his comfort to God as the author. It was God who comforted him by the coming of Titus, even the God of all comfort:
God, who comforteth those that are cast down, 2Cor 7:6. Note, We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, unto God, as the author of all the consolation and the good that we enjoy.
III. How greatly he rejoiced at their repentance, and the evidences thereof. The apostle was sorry that he had grieved them, that some pious persons among them laid to heart very greatly what he said in his former epistle, or that it was needful he should make those sorry whom he would rather have made glad,
2Cor 7:8. But now he rejoiced, when he found they had
sorrowed to repentance, 2Cor 7:9. Their sorrow in itself was not the cause of his rejoicing; but the nature of it, and the effect of it (
repentance unto salvation, 2Cor 7:10), made him rejoice; for now it appeared that they had received damage by him in nothing. Their sorrow was
but for a season; it was turned into joy, and that joy was durable. Observe here,
1. The antecedent of true repentance is godly sorrow; this worketh repentance. It is not repentance itself, but it is a good preparative to repentance, and in some sense the cause that produces repentance. The offender had great sorrow, he was in danger of being
swallowed up with overmuch sorrow; and the society was greatly sorrowful which before was puffed up: and this sorrow of theirs was after a godly manner, or according to God (as it is in the original), that is, it was according to the will of God, tended to the glory of God, and was wrought by the Spirit of God. It was a godly sorrow, because a sorrow for sin, as an offence against God, an instance of ingratitude, and a forfeiture of God's favour. There is a great difference between this sorrow of a godly sort and the sorrow of this world. Godly sorrow produces repentance and reformation, and will end in salvation; but worldly sorrow worketh death. The sorrows of worldly men for worldly things will bring down gray hairs the sooner to the grave, and such a sorrow even for sin as Judas had will have fatal consequences, as his had, which wrought death. Note, (1.) Repentance will be attended with salvation. Therefore, (2.) True penitents will never repent that they have repented, nor of any thing that was conducive thereto. (3.) Humiliation and godly sorrow are previously necessary in order to repentance, and both of them are from God, the giver of all grace.
2. The happy fruits and consequences of true repentance are mentioned (
2Cor 7:11); and those
fruits that are meet for repentance are the best evidences of it. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed too. The Corinthians made it evident that their sorrow was a godly sorrow, and such as wrought repentance, because it wrought in them great carefulness about their souls, and to avoid sin, and please God; it wrought also a clearing of themselves, not by insisting upon their own justification before God, especially while they persisted in their sin, but by endeavours to put away the accursed thing, and so free themselves from the just imputation of approving the evil that had been done. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter and his instruments; it wrought fear, a fear of reverence, a fear of watchfulness, and a fear of distrust, not a distrust of God, but of themselves; an awful fear of God, a cautious fear of sin, and a jealous fear of themselves. It wrought vehement desires after a thorough reformation of what had been amiss, and of reconciliation with God whom they had offended. It wrought zeal, a mixture of love and anger, a zeal for duty, and against sin. It wrought, lastly, revenge against sin and their own folly, by endeavours to make all due satisfaction for injuries that might be done thereby. And thus
in all things had they approved themselves to be clear in that matter. Not that they were innocent, but that they were penitent, and therefore clear of guilt before God, who would pardon and not punish them; and they ought no longer to be reproved, much less to be reproached, by men, for what they had truly repented of.
12 In these verses the apostle endeavours to comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had such good effect. And in order thereto, 1. He tells them he had a good design in his former epistle, which might be thought severe,
2Cor 7:12. It was not chiefly
for his cause that did the wrong, not only for his benefit, much less merely that he should be punished; nor was it merely
for his cause that suffered wrong, namely, the injured father, and that he might have what satisfaction could be given him; but it was also to manifest his great and sincere concern and
care for them, for the whole church, lest that should suffer by letting such a crime, and the scandal thereof, remain among them without due remark and resentment. 2. He acquaints them with the joy of Titus as well as of himself upon the account of their repentance and good behaviour. Titus was rejoiced, and his spirit refreshed, with their comfort, and this comforted and rejoiced the apostle also (
2Cor 7:13); and, as Titus was comforted while he was with them, so when he remembered his reception among them, expressing their obedience to the apostolical directions, and their fear and trembling at the reproofs that were given them, the thoughts of these things inflamed and increased his affections to them,
2Cor 7:15. Note, Great comfort and joy follow upon godly sorrow. As sin occasions general grief, so repentance and reformation occasion general joy. Paul was glad, and Titus was glad, and the Corinthians were comforted, and the penitent ought to be comforted; and well may all this joy be on earth, when there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. 3. He concludes this whole matter with expressing the entire confidence he had in them: He was not ashamed of his boasting concerning them to Titus (
2Cor 7:14); for he was not disappointed in his expectation concerning them, which he signified to Titus, and he could now with great joy declare what confidence he still had in them as to all things, that he did not doubt of their good behaviour for the time to come. Note, It is a great comfort and joy to a faithful minister to have to do with a people whom he can confide in, and who he has reason to hope will comply with every thing he proposes to them that is for the glory of God, the credit of the gospel, and their advantage.
