2 Corinthians 7

     7:2-4.  Paul resumes his thought from 6:13.  The intervening paragraph (6:14-7:1) was not such a jarring break as some like to make it.  His point is, do not be yoked together with false teachers, or your old manner of life.  You are now bound together with the living Lord himself, according to our gospel.  Make room for us!  We are not the ones who have been trying to corrupt and take advantage of you (2).  But I have confidence in you.  In Christ we have reversed the order of life and death.  We die together in Christ and live together (3).  And I am filled with all confidence, comfort, and joy in all our afflictions because of you (4).

     7:5-13a.  Apparently, having been much concerned about affairs in Corinth, Paul had sent letters, and Titus, to deal with the problems (6; cf.1 Cor.4:14-5:13; 2 Cor.2:2-4, 13).

     We will never know the exact problems being alluded to here (though if you can speculate on it originally for three hundred pages, there may be a doctor’s degree in it for you).  The important thing for us is, that real sin was confronted, and the result was Godly sorrow and repentance.  Notice the seven effects of Godly sorrow for sin in v.11.  It produces earnestness, vindication (of our faith), indignation (revulsion and shame at sin’s encroachment), fear (of wrath), longing (for reconciliation), zeal (for righteousness), and avenging of wrong (using spiritual weapons to wage war on sin, cf. 10:3-6).  In this way we prove repentance to be genuine, and thus we are innocent (pure) in the matter.

     7:13b-16.  Paul expresses his great relief and joy at the good report that Titus brings.