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2 Coríntios 7

ARC · Chapter 7/13

1Ora, amados, pois que temos taes promessas, purifiquemo-nos de toda a immundicia da carne e do espirito, aperfeiçoando a sanctificação no temor de Deus.

2Recebei-nos; a ninguem aggravámos, a ninguem corrompemos, de ninguem buscámos o nosso proveito.

3Não digo isto para vossa condemnação; pois já d'antes tinha dito que estaes em nossos corações para juntamente morrer e viver

4Grande é a ousadia da minha falla para comvosco, e grande a minha jactancia a respeito de vós; estou cheio de consolação: superabundo de gozo em todas as nossas tribulações.

5Porque, ainda quando chegámos á Macedonia, a nossa carne não teve repouso algum; antes em tudo fomos attribulados: por fóra combates, temores por dentro.

6Mas Deus, que consola os abatidos, nos consolou com a vinda de Tito.

7E não sómente com a sua vinda, senão tambem pela consolação com que foi consolado de vós, contando-nos as vossas saudades, o vosso choro, o vosso zelo por mim, de maneira que muito me regozijei.

8Porque, ainda que vos contristei com a carta, não me arrependo, embora me arrependesse por vêr que aquella carta vos contristou, ainda que por pouco tempo.

9Agora folgo, não porque fostes contristados, mas porque fostes contristados para o arrependimento; porque fostes contristados segundo Deus; de maneira que por nós não padecestes damno em coisa alguma.

10Porque a tristeza segundo Deus obra arrependimento para a salvação, da qual ninguem se arrepende; mas a tristeza do mundo obra a morte.

11Porque, quanto cuidado não produziu isto mesmo em vós, que segundo Deus fostes contristados! que apologia, que indignação, que temor, que saudades, que zelo, que vingança! em tudo mostrastes estar puros n'este negocio.

12Portanto, ainda que vos escrevi, não foi por causa do que fez o aggravo, nem por causa do que soffreu o aggravo, mas para que a nossa diligencia por vós fosse manifesta diante de Deus.

13Por isso fomos consolados pela vossa consolação, e muito mais nos alegramos pela alegria de Tito, porque o seu espirito foi recreado por vós todos.

14Porque, se n'alguma coisa me gloriei de vós para com elle, não fiquei envergonhado; antes, como vos dissemos tudo com verdade, assim tambem a nossa gloria para com Tito se achou verdadeira.

15E o seu entranhavel affecto para comvosco é mais abundante, lembrando-se da obediencia de vós todos, e de como o recebestes com temor e tremor.

16Regozijo-me de em tudo poder confiar em vós.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Paul expresses great relief and joy upon learning, through Titus, that his earlier severe letter had produced genuine repentance in the church at Corinth, and not merely hurt feelings. He explains the difference between godly sorrow, which leads to repentance, and worldly sorrow, which leads to death.

Explanation

This chapter reveals Paul's emotional relief after a period of tension with the church: an earlier letter (now lost, or possibly part of 1 Corinthians) had caused deep sorrow, but resulted in genuine repentance, a change of attitude, and reconciliation. The distinction between “godly sorrow” and “worldly sorrow” is central: the former acknowledges wrongdoing before God and seeks to correct course, producing life; the latter is self-pity or despair without real transformation, leading to spiritual ruin. Paul's joy at seeing the Corinthians' “zeal,” “indignation,” and desire to make things right shows how true repentance manifests in concrete attitudes, not just passing feelings. Today's practical application is to distinguish between destructive guilt and genuine repentance that produces real life change.

Fun facts

  • Titus, mentioned repeatedly as the messenger between Paul and Corinth, would later receive his own pastoral letter from Paul (the book of Titus), being sent to organize churches on the island of Crete.
  • The 'severe letter' referred to here has intrigued scholars for centuries: some believe it is 1 Corinthians itself, while others think it was a letter now lost, written between the two canonical epistles.

Verse-by-verse explanation

  1. 2 Coríntios 7:1He concludes the appeal from the previous chapter about God's promises (being a Father, receiving them as children): since they have these promises, Paul asks them to cleanse themselves from everything that defiles body and spirit.
  2. 2 Coríntios 7:2He asks for a place in the Corinthians' hearts (“Receive us”), defending himself against any accusation of having wronged, corrupted, or exploited them.
  3. 2 Coríntios 7:3He makes clear he isn't accusing anyone: he had already said before that the Corinthians are deeply bound to him, for better or worse, “to die and live” together.
  4. 2 Coríntios 7:4He expresses a mix of confidence and relief: he speaks boldly about them, feels proud, and is filled with comfort and joy, even amid the tribulations he just described.
  5. 2 Coríntios 7:5Paul describes a moment of anguish in Macedonia, full of “without were fightings, within were fears” — until Titus's arrival, right after, brought good news from the church in Corinth. It's the apostle's more human, anxious side, not just the confident preacher.
  6. 2 Coríntios 7:6After mentioning the anxiety he felt in Macedonia, he tells of the relief: God, who comforts the downcast, brought that comfort through the arrival of Titus.
  7. 2 Coríntios 7:7He details why Titus's arrival was so good: he brought encouraging news of the Corinthians — their longing for Paul, their tears, their zeal for him — which left him even more relieved.
  8. 2 Coríntios 7:8He speaks of an earlier severe letter mentioned in their correspondence (not 1 Corinthians, but another that was lost): even though it made the Corinthians sorrowful for a time, Paul doesn't regret it, because the final result was good.
  9. 2 Coríntios 7:9He explains why he doesn't regret it: the sorrow the letter caused led to genuine repentance, not to lasting damage in their relationship.
  10. 2 Coríntios 7:10Paul distinguishes two kinds of sorrow: one that leads to repentance and real change, “godly sorrow,” and another that only drags a person down without producing any fruit, “the sorrow of the world.” He says this about the Corinthians' reaction to the severe letter he sent earlier.
  11. 2 Coríntios 7:11The list of reactions — “indignation... fear... zeal... revenge” — describes how well the Corinthians responded to Paul's correction, showing they took the problem seriously instead of becoming defensive.
  12. 2 Coríntios 7:12He reveals the real motive behind the severe letter: it wasn't about the one who caused the offense or the one who suffered it, but about showing the Corinthians, before God, how much Paul cared for them.
  13. 2 Coríntios 7:13Because of this positive outcome, Paul feels doubly comforted: by the Corinthians' response and by the joy he saw in Titus, whose spirit was refreshed by the visit.
  14. 2 Coríntios 7:14He tells them he had already boasted about Corinth to Titus before the visit, and was relieved not to be put to shame: everything he had said about them proved true in practice.
  15. 2 Coríntios 7:15He describes Titus's affection for the Corinthians as even greater after the visit, remembering how they received him with obedience, respect, and care.
  16. 2 Coríntios 7:16He closes the chapter with a declaration of complete confidence: after all this, Paul rejoices that he can trust the Corinthians fully once again.

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