A Call to Holiness and Paul's Joy
Study note
Building on the promises of God's presence from the previous chapter, Paul calls the Corinthians to purify themselves from every defilement of body and spirit. Despite his concerns, he expresses overflowing confidence and pride in them, showing a pastor's heart that holds both honest correction and deep affection in balance.
1 Dear friends, God has given us these wonderful promises. So let us clean out everything that makes our bodies and spirits dirty. Let us work to be completely holy because we respect God. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Please make room for us in your hearts. We have not wronged anyone. We have not ruined anyone. We have not taken advantage of anyone. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3 I am not saying this to make you feel guilty. I already told you that you are so close to our hearts that we would live or die right alongside you. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 I trust you so much. I am so proud of you. I am overflowing with encouragement. Even though we have been through many hardships, my joy keeps overflowing. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
Godly Sorrow and Genuine Repentance
Study note
Paul recounts his anxiety in Macedonia before Titus arrived with encouraging news from Corinth. He draws a critical distinction between godly sorrow, which produces lasting repentance without regret, and worldly sorrow, which leads to spiritual death. The Corinthians' response to his earlier letter demonstrated genuine repentance marked by earnestness, eagerness, and zeal. Paul's joy is complete as he expresses full confidence in them.
5 When we arrived in Macedonia, things were not easy at all. Trouble hit us from every side -- arguments from the outside and worry on the inside. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 But God, who lifts up people who are feeling low, lifted us up when Titus arrived. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 It was not seeing Titus that helped. He also told us how much you encouraged him. He described how deeply you missed us, how sorry you were, and how devoted you are to me. Hearing all of that made me even happier. And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8 Even though my letter made you sad, I do not regret sending it. I was sorry at first because I knew it upset you, even if only for a short time. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9 But now I am glad -- not because you were hurt, but because that pain led you to turn back to God. Your sadness was the right kind, so nothing we did caused you any real harm. 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.
10 The kind of sadness God wants leads people to turn away from sin and toward salvation, and no one regrets that. But the kind of sadness the world offers only leads to death. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 Look at what this godly sadness produced in you! It made you serious. It made you eager to clear your name. It made you angry at the sin. It alarmed you. It made you long for us. It fired you up. It made you determined to see things put right. In every way, you proved that you are innocent in this situation. 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.
12 Therefore, though I wrote to you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
13 All of this has been so encouraging to us. And beyond our own encouragement, seeing how happy Titus was made us even more delighted, because all of you refreshed his spirit. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 I had bragged about you to Titus, and you did not let me down. Everything we told you has been true, and in the same way, what we bragged about to Titus turned out to be true. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
15 His love for you has grown even stronger. He remembers how you all obeyed and how you welcomed him with deep respect. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16 It makes me so happy that I can count on you completely. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.