November 25 Click on verses for Full Scripture

previous - - - - - - - - - - next

Today's Pathway: II Corinthians 7:11-12 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. 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.

Over the last two days we have seen Paul contrast two different types of repentance, which were based upon two different types of sorrow. The sorrow of the world, which is self-centered and feelings-based, produces death, for it does not cause a man to have a change of mind that results in a change of action. However, godly sorrow, which is Christ-focused and spiritually-based, will produce a genuine repentance which results in a change of direction spiritually, mentally, and visibly.

In verse 11 Paul spells out seven changes that resulted from the Corinthians godly sorrow and repentance. They had "carefulness", which is a translation of the Greek word meaning "speed". They were earnest and quick about making the necessary changes. They "cleared themselves", which means that they wanted to vindicate themselves and clear their name. They were not making excuses for their reputation; they were changing their reputation. They wanted it to be obvious to others that they were now a changed people. They had "indignation", which describes a condition of strong opposition and displeasure against someone or something judged to be wrong. In their case, the indignation was against themselves. They were disgusted and appalled at their sinful behavior. They had "fear". They recognized they had sinned against a holy God, and understood how serious such an offense was and what judgment they could have been subjected to. They had "vehement desire", which means that they had a great longing to abandon their sin, have their relationship with God restored, and to begin living for Him. They became "zealous" in their desire to do what was right. Finally, they had "revenge". The word means "to give justice to someone who has been wronged". In other words, the church members tried to rectify those sins which they had committed. Michael Andrus put it this way,

"Truly repentant people have a strong desire to see justice done and to make restitution for the wrongs they have done. Instead of being defensive of their behavior, they openly accept the consequences of their sins."

Because the church had done these things, Paul writes at the end of verse 11 that they had proved themselves to be pure ("clear"). Anyone can say that he or she is repentant, but the sincerity of sorrow and repentance will be shown through his or her actions. Bruce Hurt wrote,

"'In all things' would include all seven items mentioned above. So Paul has added up their seven characteristics and the 'sum' was purity. 'Approved' means the Corinthians gave evidence for the authenticity of their repentance. Their words and actions were proof that they were 'clear'".

"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6).

In verse 12 Paul reveals his motivation in writing the letter that brought the Corinthians to repentance. He did not write it simply to point out the sinfulness of the ones who had done wrong, nor to assist those who had been harmed, although both of these would have been appropriate motivations. He wrote so that the Corinthian believers would clearly know that, in spite of the sins that they were involved in and their criticisms of his ministry, he earnestly and sincerely cared about them. Adam Clarke wrote this,

"From all appearances there was never a church less worthy of an apostle’s affections than this church was at this time; and yet no one ever more beloved."