Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

Introduction:

Review:

2 Corinthians 6:14 & 17 NLT
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.

17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

(These statements were directed to members of the Corinthian Church)

Why was Paul making these statements?

    • The Corinthians were siding with (believing) false teachers and they were rejecting Paul.

Paul’s appealed for reconciliation.

Paul’s had a burning desire for a restored relationship with the Corinthian Church.

    • Paul’s rivals were cunning.
    • Paul experienced deep discouragement.

2 Corinthians 7:8-16 NLT
Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance
I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 7:8-16 NLT
Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance 

I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you (with Titus), though I was sorry at first,

(Refer to the note at the end)

What was the issue?

Paul had to defend his apostleship.

Paul’s character was being assaulted.

 for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 

Hebrews 12:11 NLT
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

  • No discipline seems pleasant at the time. Later on, however, it produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways.

A sorrow that led to repentance.

Pain or sorrow that causes repentance and change is a good thing.

  • Paul talks about two kinds of sorrow.

It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.  

10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. 

There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.

2 Timothy 2:25 NLT
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 

  • The first kind of sorrow is a sorrow God wants us to experience. It is a sorrow that leads us away from sin and results in salvation.

But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

Sorry for getting caught.

  • The second kind of sorrow is worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow lacks repentance and results in spiritual death. 

11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! 

Such earnestness,

Earnestness, diligence, or eagerness to pursue righteousness and make amends.

such concern to clear yourselves,

To explain and clear yourselves of the charges that you tolerate sin. 

such indignation,

At sin (the man who opposed Paul)

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 NLT
Forgiveness for the Sinner
I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

such alarm,

Fear of offending God.

such longing to see me, 

such zeal,

To do what is right. 

and such a readiness to punish wrong.

To punish those who sin and those who tolerate sin.  To see justice done.

 

Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! 

Earnestness,      a concern to clear yourselves,      indignation,      alarm,

a longing to see me,     zeal,     and a readiness to punish wrong. 

You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 

 

12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged.  (Paul may be referring to himself as the one who was wronged. 2 Corinthians 2:5) I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 

  • Paul’s primary purpose in writing the letter was to benefit the Corinthians. The primary focus was not on the one who did the wrong.
  • Paul had a burning desire for a restored relationship with the Corinthian Church.

13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.

You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. (v.11) 

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you. 

  • Overall, the outcome of Paul’s “severe” letter was positive.

 

 

 

Note added:

Four Letters, Three Visits

1st visit

A.D. 48-51      1 ½ years
Acts 18:1 (NLT)
Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth
Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

1st letter – now lost  From Ephesus – misunderstood by the Corinthians

1 Corinthians 5:9 (NLT)
When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 

2nd letter  (1st Corinthians)  From Ephesus –  A.D 53-55 

2nd visit  A painful visit 

3rd letter – now lost   Tearful, severe letter

2 Corinthians 2:3-4 (NLT)
That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you. 

2 Corinthians 7:8-9 (NLT)
I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 

4th letter  (2nd Corinthians)  From Macedonia A.D. 55/56 

3rd visit  A.D. 56 -57

Acts 20:2-3 (NLT)
While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

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