6 But God , who comforts the depressed , comforted us by the coming of Titus ; 7 and not only by his coming , but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing , your mourning , your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more . 8 For though e I caused you sorrow by my letter , I do not regret it; though e I did regret it-for I see that that letter caused you sorrow , though e only for a while - 9 I now rejoice , not that you were made sorrowful , but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance ; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God , so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret , leading to salvation , but the sorrow of the world produces death . 11 For behold what earnestness this very thing , this godly e sorrow , has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation , what fear , what longing , what zeal , what avenging of wrong ! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter .
12 So although e I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended , but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God . 13 For this reason we have been comforted . And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all . 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame ; but as we spoke all things to you in truth , so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth . 15 His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all , how you received him with fear and trembling .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 7:6-15
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 7:5-11
(Read 2 Corinthians 7:5-11)
There were fightings without, or continual contentions with, and opposition from Jews and Gentiles; and there were fears within, and great concern for such as had embraced the Christian faith. But God comforts those who are cast down. We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, to God, as the author of all the consolation and good we enjoy. Sorrow according to the will of God, tending to the glory of God, and wrought by the Spirit of God, renders the heart humble, contrite, submissive, disposed to mortify every sin, and to walk in newness of life. And this repentance is connected with saving faith in Christ, and an interest in his atonement. There is a great difference between this sorrow of a godly sort, and the sorrow of the world. The happy fruits of true repentance are mentioned. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter and his instruments. It wrought a fear of watchfulness, and a cautious fear of sin. It wrought desire to be reconciled with God. It wrought zeal for duty, and against sin. It wrought revenge against sin and their own folly, by endeavours to make satisfaction for injuries done thereby. Deep humility before God, hatred of all sin, with faith in Christ, a new heart and a new life, make repentance unto salvation. May the Lord bestow it on every one of us.
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 7:12-16
(Read 2 Corinthians 7:12-16)
The apostle was not disappointed concerning them, which he signified to Titus; and he could with joy declare the confidence he had in them for the time to come. Here see the duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the troubles of the pastoral office, by respect and obedience; the former make a due return by his care of them, and cherish the flock by testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness.