College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Corinthians 7 - Introduction
Butler's Commentary
Chapter Seven
THE PROBLEM OF REPENTANCE
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
Why would an apostle have to urge Christians to open their hearts to him?
2.
How could Paul say he did not regret making the Corinthians sorry by his letter?
3.
Is there actually a danger that Christians might have only worldly grief?
4.
Can there be grief without regret, even if it is godly grief?
5.
Why is Paul so concerned about the experience Titus had with the Corinthians?
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER SEVEN
Analysis
A.
Paul appealed to the Corinthians to separate themselves completely from the defilement of the sinful practices of their times, that they might be holy before God (2 Corinthians 7:1-3).
1.
He based his appeal on promises of God which he had just quoted (2 Corinthians 7:1).
2.
Then he made a strong appeal for them to accept him (2 Corinthians 7:2-3).
a)
He asked them to make room for him in their heartsreceive him as a guest in their lives (2 Corinthians 7:2 a).
b)
He gave his reasons for asking them to do this (2 Corinthians 7:2 b).
(1)
He had wronged no one.
(2)
He had corrupted no one.
(3)
He had taken advantage of no one.
c)
He explained why he said this: It was not to condemn them, for they were in his heart to live and to die (2 Corinthians 7:3).
B.
Paul reminded them of his frankness in speaking to them about his comfort and joy (2 Corinthians 7:4-13 a).
1.
He told them about his great frankness and his pride in them that had resulted in overflowing joy in all his afflictions (2 Corinthians 7:4).
2.
He explained about the afflictions which he had suffered (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).
a)
In Macedonia, there was no rest for his flesh, but affliction on every side. Without, there were fightings; within, there were fears.
b)
He had received relief and comfort through the presence of Titus, after meeting him in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 7:6-7).
(1)
His affliction in Macedonia: No rest for his flesh.
(2)
The comfort from God who comforts the depressed:
(a)
Through the presence of Titus.
(b)
Through the report of Titus about their longing, mourning and zeal.
3.
He explained his attitude toward the letter which he had written, that is, First Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:8-13 a).
a)
He did not regret sending the letter, but he did regret that he had caused them sorrow for a while (2 Corinthians 7:8).
b)
But he rejoiced in the outcome of the matter (2 Corinthians 7:9-11).
(1)
Their sorrow which was according to God had produced repentance, but resulted in no loss for them.
(2)
He explained sorrow and repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
(a)
Sorrow according to God produces repentance that leads to salvation.
(b)
Sorrow of the worldsorrow that is involved in sinleads to death.
(c)
Sorrow according to God had produced (2 Corinthians 7:11):
i)
Vindication of themselves.
ii)
Indignation toward the sinner.
iii)
Fear or reverence for God.
iv)
Longing for a life of righteousness.
v)
Zeal for a life of purity in Christ.
vi)
Avenging of wrong by reproving the sinner.
vii)
Innocence of further wrongdoing demonstrated by following the instruction of Paul had given them.
c)
He explained why he wrote the letter (2 Corinthians 7:12-13 a).
(1)
It was not for the sake of the offender nor the one offended, but for their earnest care in the sight of God for the things He had caused to be written by the apostle Paul.
(2)
It was for this reason that he was comforted (2 Corinthians 7:13 a).
C.
Paul told them about his joy and comfort over the way they had received Titus (2 Corinthians 7:13 b- 2 Corinthians 7:16).
1.
In addition to being comforted over the response to his letter, he rejoiced over the way they had welcomed Titus (2 Corinthians 7:13 b).
2.
Paul had not been put to shame for his boasting to Titus about their obedience (2 Corinthians 7:14).
3.
Titus-' feeling for them overflowed as he remembered their obedience, for they had received him in fear and trembling (2 Corinthians 7:15).
4.
Paul rejoiced in the fact that he had been able to depend on them (2 Corinthians 7:16).
Questions
1.
What promises had God made to His people through Isaiah?
2.
On what conditions were the promises made?
3.
What were the Corinthians doing that were like the things practiced by Israel? See 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
4.
What is meant by defilement of flesh and spirit?
5.
How were they to cleanse themselves from this defilement?
6.
Who are the people of God today?
7.
To whom does the promise that God made to Abraham refer?
8.
What did Peter say about it as reported in Acts 2:39?
9.
What did Paul say about it in Galatians 3:8-14; Galatians 3:29?
10.
Why did Paul say, Let us cleanse ourselves?
11.
How had Paul avoided defilement? See 1 Corinthians 9:27.
12.
Can others do so? See 1 Corinthians 10:13.
13.
How, then, can we harmonize this with Paul's statement that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing?
14.
What did Paul say about separation from a life of sin in Romans 6:17-18?
15.
What did Paul say about the shield of faith and the fiery darts of the evil one? See Ephesians 6:16.
16.
What are the works of the flesh as listed in Galatians 5:16-21?
17.
What is the fruit of the spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-24?
18.
What obligation do Christians have toward their brethren who may be overtaken in a trespass? See Galatians 6:1.
19.
What is holiness? How can it be brought to a state of completion?
20.
How did Peter explain the holy life of the children of God?
21.
How were the Corinthians to open their hearts to Paul?
22.
Why did Paul mention those who injure, destroy and cheat?
23.
Is it possible that some may have accused him of these things?
24.
Why did Paul speak with great frankness to the Corinthians?
25.
On what two issues did he speak frankly at this point?
26.
How had Paul become depressed in Macedonia?
27.
How had God comforted him at that time?
28.
Why did Paul delay mentioning the fact that he had met Titus in Macedonia until 2 Corinthians 7:6?
29.
What in addition to the presence of Titus had brought comfort to Paul?
30.
What had been the first effect of Paul's epistle (First Corinthians) on the Corinthians?
31.
What did Paul regret about having written the letter?
32.
Why did he now rejoice that he had done so?
33.
What is sorrow after a godly sort?
34.
What are the motivating forces that lead to repentance?
35.
In what ways is repentance to be shown?
36.
To what does repentance lead?
37.
What is the difference between the sorrow of the world and godly sorrow?
38.
How had the Corinthians cleared themselves?
39.
Against what did they show indignation?
40.
What had fear led them to do? What is this fear?
41.
How had their zeal been shown?
42.
What had they done about the wrongdoer in their widst?
43.
How had they proved themselves innocent of further wrongdoing?
44.
Who is the one who had done the wrong? Who had been wronged?
45.
For whose sake, then, had Paul written to them?
46.
How did Paul sum up his attitude toward the report that Titus had given of the situation in Corinth?
47.
What had happened to Titus while he was at Corinth?
48.
What had Paul told him about the church at Corinth?
49.
In what ways did Titus share Paul's views of the Corinthians?
50.
Why did Paul say, I am of good courage concerning you?
For Discussion
1.
What is the relation of perfectionism to Paul's teaching about the necessity of a pure life?
2.
What are some of the sordid things from which church people must separate themselves in order that they may be sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father?