2 Corinthians 7

Verse 1

verse 2

Mark room in your hearts (receive us) -

-”in your hearts” is not in the Greek, but it does fit the context.

-This in in effect what he is saying.

-Challenge to the Corinthians to open wide their hearts so that he might have a place there.

-He told them that his heart is wide open for them

-In other words, he told them that he loves them and he is asking for their love.

-What ever wongs have been done…whatever slander taken place…whatever gossip has been beleived…PAUL IS WILLING TO SET ALL THAT ASIDE AND HAVE A WIDE OPEN HEART…HE JUST ASKS FOR THE SAME.

-The rest of this verse he reminds them again of how he lived among them...

-He lived in purity of heart and actions.

-wronged no one…corrupted no one…took advantage of no one

-The same cannot be said of the false teachers there...

Verse 3

-Paul is redemptive in his statements to them

-None of his correction has been with any sort of malice or ill will toward teh people.

-”I do not say this to condemn you”

-He would take no joy in the condemnation of these people that he loves.

-He has aleady spoken of his great love for them and is asking for them to love him in return...

-He tells them of his loyaty toward them...

-”to die together and to live together.”

-there was a common expression in paul’s day to communicate loyalty, friendship and love..

-The expression was “to live together and to die together”

-

-imeant to speak of a feindship that will be stataned through out live and even through death...

-HOWEVER, Note that paul reversed the order...

-instead of to live together and to die together.” he says to die together and to live together”

-this was no mistake...

-This is theology!

-We do not live and die togehter…we die and live together..

Verse 4

LOOK AT THE HOPE HE HAS...

-he believes in them...

-they would reject the false doctrine and sinful ways and come to Christ

-I love this attitude...

-We would have the same when a brother falls.

-There is someone ight now that his heavy on my heart...

-He’s made some mistakes…he will pay the price...

-But you better believe I am in his corner…i am his ally

-sinners don’t need more criticism or condemnation, they need help, love, support, prayer

-The world has enough haters…it needs more helpers.

VERSE 5-7

Verse 5 No rest…afflicted at every turn…fighting without and fear within...

-Ever been there?

-In those moments what do you need?

-It certainly isnd discouragemtnt that you need...

-You need comfort…encouragement.

-The sourse of that comfort is GOD. VERSE 6

-The source is God, but the instrument of that comfort is US....

-”COMFORTED US BY THE COMING OF TITUS...

-You see this passage is not about depression but joy.

Paul was comforted by Titus....Titus comforted by Corinthian church...

-Remember Paul wrote them a harsh letter earlier…The response of many was “mourning and zeal for Paul.”

We see why Pual and titus were comforted in the next part. VERSE 8FF

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF GRIEF PRESENTED IN THIS PASSAGE.

I. WORLDLY GRIEF

WORLDLY GRIEF

IS WHEN OUR PRIDE IS WOUNDED...

we have remose and regret from our wong doing

we pity ourself

when our expectations were not met

What can this sort of greif produce?

-Not healing

-not tranformation

-not repentance

-and really nothing of value...

-Just a sorrowfulness.

-And usually it is not being sorry becaused you have sinned against God or someone else

-usually, at it’s core is are sorrow from getting caught

AND IT PRODUCES DEATH

-guilt…resentment…callousness…dression..helplessness…DEATH

II. GODLY GIEF

-produces repentace

-repentance leads to slavation

-repentance is the mark of a true beleiver

-it is not that beleivers never sin

-but it is that beleiver are quick to repent.

-repentace is a spiritual act that produces physical behavor..

-It takes place in the heart of the believer…and is demonstrated by how that believer lives.

-Sometimes Godly Sorrow breaks us becuase we need to be broken before we can be fixed.