The Joy of Repentance

“One Man’s Repentance Is Another Man’s Joy”

2 Corinthians 7:2-9

v.2 After warning the Corinthians against improper relationships with unbelievers, Paul compels the Corinthians to receive himself as well as the other faithful ministers of the gospel. Believers should not shun those who preach the truth. They should embrace them.

Contrary to what the false teachers may believe, Paul is a man of integrity.

We have wronged no one. The term “wronged” is a word that means “to injure or treat unjustly”. It is possible that Paul’s enemies were telling the Corinthians that he was treating people in the wrong way. What may be in mind here is the rebukes Paul had to give the Corinthians as well as the church discipline he rebuked the church for not administering (1 Cor. 5). Paul, however, had caused no one any harm. His intentions were to deliver the Corinthians from the judgment of God. While his preaching may have seemed harsh at times, his motive was always pure.

We have corrupted no one. The word “corruption” alludes to immoral behavior. Paul certainly had not influenced the Corinthians to be immoral. Paul’s warning in 6:14-16 was a rebuke against the false teachers who were corrupting the Corinthians through influence. Man’s sinful nature seeks to attack those who confront their sin. Sadly, most of humanity will side with the tolerant and immoral rather than those who cling to truth and righteousness.

We have taken advantage of no one. Paul’s enemies charged him with taking advantage of the Corinthians. Probably financial defrauding is what is implied. One of the easiest ways to attack a minister is in this way. To be fair, there are many so called ministers who have robbed saints as well as churches of money and trust. Also, there are ministers who entered the ministry simply to make money.

We must not forget that there are faithful ministers of the word. When it comes to paying ministers, different people within the church have different ideas. Some think that at most a minister works two days a week for about 1 ½ hours tops. In their understanding that does not justify a salary. To them it appears to be robbery to compensate a minister for that.

Because of this type of thinking there were times when Paul refused to take a salary (1 Cor. 9:1-15). Paul, as well as other faithful ministers, was not taking advantage of anyone. They were operating in their calling. God provides a means of compensation for them through the local church. His conscience was clear. He had defrauded no man.

v.3 Paul’s defense of himself may have seemed like an attack on the Corinthians. They may have been thinking, “Hold on Paul, we’re not saying…” He wanted them to know that he still loved them. His love for them was constant and unconditional. He would love them until the day he died no matter what the future held.

v.4 “Great boldness” is translated as “confidence” in some translations. The reason that Paul was able to speak so boldly to the Corinthians was that he had great confidence in the God of their salvation. It may seem odd that Paul would glory in the Corinthians. It would seem that they are nothing to brag about. He had received good news that Titus brought from Corinth concerning their repentance and that gave him reason to rejoice (6-7). Paul was willing to preach the truth because he trusted that God would do His work through His Word (Philippians 1:6).

Despite all the tribulation he was enduring he could still be filled with joy and comfort. Paul did not trust the Corinthians, he trusted God. He believed that if they were indeed saved, God would bring them back to the place they needed to be. This reality brought Paul comfort and joy. In the next few verses we will see that Paul was right. His faithfulness to the Word paid off.

v.5 This verse picks up where Paul left off in 2:13. As a result of anxiety concerning the welfare of the Corinthians Paul was unable to minister in Troas. He was awaiting word from Titus on how they would respond to the letter he sent them. Paul left Troas and went to Macedonia searching for Titus.

While in Macedonia he had fightings on the outside. Everywhere Paul went he had those who opposed him. Quarrels and fightings are common among the unbelievers and false teachers. On the inside Paul had fears. His fears were connected to his curiosity of how the Corinthians would respond to his rebukes.

Before Paul received the good news it seems he had prepared himself for the worst. Even the greatest of believers suffer from worry. Paul had a worry that was coupled with faith. He was probably praying, “Lord I believe but help my unbelief.”

v.6 Paul’s situation had led him to a state of depression. That’s what our word “downcast” means. God comforted Paul by the coming of Titus. Titus returned to tell the apostle that the Corinthians, generally speaking, had responded to his rebuke with repentance. This news relieved Paul’s anxiety. Paul’s sincere concern for the state of the souls of men is evident here. He truly cared about the spirituality of others. It did not bring him joy to see other believers in sin. His desire was to see believers living victoriously in Christ.

v.7 Paul was not the only one comforted by the news of the Corinthians repentance. Titus was comforted as well. Titus described the response of the Corinthians to the letter that he had written.

They responded with:

Your Longing- These words describe a longing or deep affection. It could be a longing to see the apostle again. This would be a reflection of their restored relationship. It could also refer to a longing or desire to live a righteous life.

Your mourning- The Corinthians mourned over their sin. When confronted on sin we generally respond in one of three ways. We get angry, we get sad, or we don’t care. The Corinthians responded correctly. They mourned over their sin.

Your zeal for me- Recently many of the Corinthians had lost some of their love for Paul (1 Cor. 6:12-13). Now that love has returned. They are fervent toward Paul. Despite the lies of the false teachers, they once again are aligned with him.

Titus’s news increased Paul’s joy. He had learned to rejoice in all things. But this news gave him great reason to rejoice. It was like a heavy load had been lifted from his shoulders.

v.8 Paul recognized that his letter caused the Corinthians much grief. It contained rebukes that must have been quiet humbling. Paul did not regret sending the letter however. He admits that he did regret sending it a little. In other words, Paul did not enjoy writing this letter. He felt terrible about what he was forced to do. It is no different than the father who spanks his child. After he does it, he feels terrible, yet he is glad he did it because it was necessary for the child’s betterment.

The reason Paul did not regret sending the letter was because it accomplished its purpose. It brought the Corinthians to a godly sorrow. That sorrow would only last a season because it would be relieved by repentance. Sin brings pleasure for a moment and sorrow for a lifetime. Repentance brings sorrow for a moment and pleasure for a lifetime. The two could not be any more different.

v.9 Paul did not delight in rebuking the Corinthians. He did not get his joy from telling others how bad they were. His joy came because the Corinthians sorrow led them to genuine repentance. If they had not responded in this way, they would have suffered damage by Paul. The church in general as well as individual believers would have suffered loss. Rewards (2 John 3:8), blessings in the present world, as well as their influence as a church could have easily been lost. The warnings of a faithful minister are real. If they are not heeded the hearers could pay serious consequences.

Thoughts To Consider

1. One of Satan’s strategies is to convince believers to turn against faithful ministers.

2. Never be afraid to tell a child of God what the Word of God says.

3. Some of the greatest burdens we bear are placed upon us by other believers.

4. Sometimes we must do what we don’t want to do to clear our own conscience and help someone else clear theirs.

5. We confront sin because repentance and restoration bring us great joy.