2 Corinthians 7: Reason to Rejoice
A leopard can’t change its spots, so what makes it possible for us to do our own spot removal?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Psalm 119:9 How can young people live clean lives? By hearing God’s voice and doing what he says.
2 Corinthians 7:1 My friends, since we are promised this relationship with God, let’s cleanse ourselves from all filth, both physical and spiritual, respecting who he is and wanting to be like him.
Ephesians 5:25 Like Christ loved his family enough to die for us, you husbands should love your wives.
5:26 As Christ made his family special, bathing us with kind, supportive words,
5:27 so he would have a glorious community without wrinkles or blemishes.
James 4:8 Move closer to God, and he will move closer to you. Wash your hands of wrongdoing and purify your hearts with good motives. Don’t live a double-life, but have a single focus upon what the Lord wants.
King James
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
In what ways might people take advantage of others?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:2 Please be open to what we’re saying, because we have never taken advantage of people or led them astray.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
Why might believers in Corinth not be open to what Paul was saying?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:3 I say these things for your benefit, not to find fault, for whether we live or die we long to see you alive with us in Christ.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
How can we be confident in the midst of distress?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
Romans 8:28 All those who love God and are working to fulfill his purpose should know that all things will work together for good.
2 Corinthians 7:4 I speak freely, with confidence, pride, and joy, knowing that out of our distress will come great reward.
King James
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
What is the difference between a physical and spiritual battle?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:5 When we entered Macedonia, we had no chance to relax, because conflict came from every direction, constant battles both physically and spiritually.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
How does good news reduce the negative impact of pain and suffering?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who encourages the fearful and depressed, gave us comfort when Titus arrived.
7:7 Besides being thrilled to see him, I rejoiced even more when I learned of your commitment to Christ and concern for me.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
When is it inappropriate to apologize for an offense?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:8 If my letter hurt your feelings, I do not apologize, although I did regret causing you pain, even if it was only for a little while.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
How is a hurt ever helpful?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:9 I’m rejoicing now, not because I hurt you, but because your godly sorrow led to repentance. A change in your ways shows that we did you no harm.
7:10 The world’s sorrow is only grief and regret that results in death. But godly sorrow brings salvation, a change in our ways that has no need for repentance.
7:11 Just look at what God has worked through your sorrow. You have become more diligent, cleansing yourselves from unrighteousness, acquiring a passion to do right and correct what is wrong. Now you can rejoice, knowing you have pleased the Lord.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Why do we so frequently seek to eliminate the symptom rather than the disease?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:12 My purpose for writing wasn’t to correct the offender or eliminate the offense. I wrote because of my concern for you, that the relationship we have in God would be alive in you.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
In what ways might the Corinthian believers have ministered to Titus?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:13 We were already encouraged because of you, but when we saw how you had ministered to Titus, refreshing his spirit, we were thrilled.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
After reprimanding the Corinthians in so many areas, what was the basis for Paul’s boasting about them?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:14 I had boasted to Titus about you, and you have made me proud, for the confidence I had in you has now been shown to be true.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
What made Paul proud of the believers he had ministered to?
Author’s Thoughts
Author’s Insights Pending
Author’s Paraphrase
2 Corinthians 7:15 After seeing how you welcomed him with such respect and desired to hear the truth and obey, he now cares for you even more.
7:16 I am overjoyed, having the utmost confidence in your commitment to the Lord in all things.
King James
2 Corinthians 7:15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.