2 Corinthians 7:7-16

Paul's Joy

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 u even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it - though v 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 w because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

10 For x godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas y 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, z 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 a 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.

13 Therefore b we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit c has been refreshed by you all. 14 For d whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you e was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers f the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have perfect g confidence in you.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:2
    For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:4
    For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 38:18
    I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
    1 Corinthians 5:2
    And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:13
    David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
    Acts 11:18
    When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 17:22
    A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
  6. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:6
    For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:1 - 2
    It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.
  8. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:6
    But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 15:32
    So that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:24
    So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
    2 Corinthians 9:2
    For I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
    2 Corinthians 10:8
    For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed.
    2 Thessalonians 1:4
    Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:2
    But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
    2 Corinthians 6:7
    By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
  12. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:9
    For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.
    2 Corinthians 10:6
    Being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
  13. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 2:3
    And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.