2 Corinthians 7:5-9

2 Corinthians 7:5-9

For even after we came into Macedonia, even our bodies were having no rest – but while being persecuted in all things: fighting on the outside and fear within.  But God, who comforts the hopeless comforted us in the coming of Titus.  And not only in his coming, but also in the encouragement in which he was being encouraged upon you all – while announcing to us your deep desire, your lamenting, your zeal on my behalf – so that I rejoiced all the more.  Because even if I grieved you all in the letter, I do not regret it.  And I was regretting it, for I see that such a letter grieved you all for an hour.  Now I rejoice – not because you all were grieved but because you all were grieved into repentance.  For you all grieved according to God, in order that you all should not suffer loss in any way out of us.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul talks about how he was pleased to receive the report from Titus.  However, notice that it wasn’t really the presence of Titus that caused Paul to rejoice.  What caused Paul to rejoice was that Titus was so well received by the Corinthians.  He thought Titus was going to have to go to Corinth and fight for right teaching.  However, the Corinthians received him.  What you see with Paul is that it isn’t him getting his way that causes Paul to be happy.  Rather, it is the unity of the body of Christ that causes Paul to rejoice.

Why is unity a proper goal in Christ?  Why is unity a higher goal that we often give it credit?

Second Thought:

That being said, we can clearly hear in these words that Paul is not afraid to say some harsh things.  He had sent them a pretty harsh letter prior to Titus going to Corinth.  When Paul sent it, he regretted it.  I don’t know anyone who has to send a letter like that who doesn’t regret it at some level.  But Paul doesn’t regret it for long.  He knows it has to be said, even if it is difficult to say.

Have you ever had to say something harsh even though it was true?  Why is it hard?  Where do you get the strength to say the things that need to be said?

Third Thought:

What makes it all worthwhile for Paul is that even if there were people who were hurt that it ultimately came back to God.  The Corinthians may have been grieved, but they were grieved according to God.  They may have been hurt, but they were hurt in a way that God drew them closer to himself.  They were grieved into repentance.

Is repentance really the ultimate goal?  Why is repentance to God such a good thing to strive towards?  What can God do among us when we have repentant hearts?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 7:10-13