2Cor 7 | TNotes | STEP | 7:1 Paul wanted the church to be a holy people, filled with God’s presence. • because we fear God: We should be reverent in the presence of a holy God (see study note on 5:11).

7:1 ^a Paul wanted the church to be a holy people, filled with God’s presence.

• because we fear God: We should be reverent in the presence of a holy God (see study note on 5:11).
Summary for 2Cor 7:2-4: 7:2-4 ^b Please open your hearts to us: Paul picks up his plea from 6:11-13 ^c (see study note on 6:14–7:1). Paul had a deep concern for the churches (11:28 ^d), expressed by seeking a close bond of fellowship. When he was misunderstood, he explained his actions, as he does here.

• We have not ... taken advantage of anyone: That is, by taking their money.
7:4 ^e All our troubles might refer to Paul’s many hardships (6:5 ^f) or his problems with the Corinthians themselves. Either way, he was filled with joy because the church’s response had greatly encouraged him (as he explains in 7:5-16 ^g).
Summary for 2Cor 7:5-7: 7:5-7 ^h Paul’s joy leads him to tell about his recent meeting with Titus, whose presence was a joy when he joined Paul in Macedonia (see study note on 2:14–7:4; Acts 20:1-2 ⁱ).

• Initially, Paul had no rest (this Greek word is used in 2 Cor 2:13 ^j, where it is rendered “peace of mind”) but only conflict, battles, and fear. Paul was deeply discouraged, but he received encouragement from God, who encourages those who are discouraged (cp. Ps 42:5-6 ^k). Titus arrived from Corinth with the news that Paul’s letter (see 2 Cor 2:3-4 ^l) had done its work (7:8-16 ^m). This was the chief cause of Paul’s joy.
Summary for 2Cor 7:8-13: 7:8-13a ⁿ Paul was sorry at first that he had sent his previous letter (see 2:3-4 ^o). Now he was not sorry, realizing that the pain had been worthwhile, for the severe letter had brought the church in Corinth to repentance. They had rebuked the offending person—perhaps too strongly (see 2:6-11 ^p).
Summary for 2Cor 7:9-10: 7:9-10 ^q Two kinds of sorrow are mentioned: (1) Worldly sorrow that lacks repentance leads to spiritual death (e.g., see Matt 27:3-6 ^r; Heb 12:16-17 ^s). (2) Sorrow that leads us away from sin leads to salvation, as it did when the church in Corinth responded positively to Paul’s rebuke.
Summary for 2Cor 7:13-16: 7:13b-16 ^t The way the Corinthians had welcomed and obeyed Titus as Paul’s agent endeared the Corinthians to Titus and delighted Paul. The crisis at Corinth was over, and Paul had complete confidence that all was well.
7:14 ^u All along Paul had been optimistic, despite his fears, about the outcome of Titus’s trip to Corinth.