2 Corinthians 7:8-12 - Godly sorrow and repentance

When Paul learned about the Corinthians change of heart, he rejoiced. He rejoiced not because they were humiliated but that they realized their faults and were changing. Paul did temporarily regret the hurt he had caused, by his strongly worded letter to them. However, he now no longer regret because of the positive outcome it had brought on the Corinthians. Although he wrote to correct them, he actually felt the hurt it must have caused them.  

Apparently, Paul’s letter brought grief to a point that it produced repentance. That’s what caused him to rejoice. In other words, Paul did not rejoice because of the grief the letter brought, but the repentance that it finally produced in them. The result of grief can be unpredictable. Some when confronted by it, change for the better. Others regret and won’t forgive themselves, allowing their minds to dwell on the wrong. This type of response eventually lead into a life of depression. Some rationalize what they have done and begin to justify their action and would become self-righteous. Then there’s the grief that leads some to face it squarely, repent and make drastic changes in their lives. This was what happened with the church at Corinth.

 

However, it did not take place straightaway. Paul did not give up on them, no matter how difficult. He wrote several letters to them, he visited them, and even sent his co-worker till they repented. For repentance to take place there must be a recognition of the sin, a strong sense of dislike of the sin and a willingness to disown the wrong. If only one of these three processes takes place, it is not repentance. If a person recognizes his wrong and stops there, he would become defiant. If he just sorrows over his sin, he becomes depressed and suicidal. And if he just abandons the sin and not hates or disowns his sin, he’s only doing what is correct without demonstrating change. So all three must be evident.

 

In verses 10-11, Paul then defined what true repentance really is. It is not just being remorseful. True repentance requires the reorientation of one’s life. There is a necessity to forsake sin. But just as necessary is the willingness to adopt a new attitude. And what happens to the person inwardly must be seen in the outward practice. It is not only turning from the wrong and old ways but also a turning toward God and accept His new standards.

 

We need to revisit the backdrop in order for us to fully appreciate what Paul was saying in verse 11. There was an offender in Corinth who had a sexual relationship with his step mother. The church there was nonchalant about the sin. Paul wrote to address that attitude. They changed and had that person disciplined. And when that person had changed and repented, they refused to accept him into fellowship again, allowing him to be grieved beyond himself. Paul was saddened so he wrote to them again. Perhaps Paul did not know the effect of his letter to them till the coming of Titus. From Titus report, he felt a bit embarrassed and wrote to affirm their right action. Paul was sure that it was the godly sorrow that produced those changes in the hearts of the Corinthians. They truly recognized their wrong and repented, hence the godly sorrow. Here Paul listed seven items to prove it. Their anger against the offender was aroused. They had punished him and were able to vindicate their nonchalance, and so free themselves from the guilt of being passive to a wrong. They had taken full responsibility and hence proven guiltless in that matter.

 

So in verse 12 Paul revealed that his motive in writing the stern letter was out of his love for them. He wrote not only to correct the offender but also the one who had been offended. He was concerned that they should suffer no loss spiritually. His stern rebuke was motivated by love for the good of every one and for the glory of God.  

 

We have a forgiving God. To have a truly connected relationship, repentance and change must be a sincere and regular part of life. Here is what the Apostle John said, ^“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9). Wrong must be acknowledged so that changes could be effected. God would be pleased every time we recognize our wrong and change. Glory to His name!