2Cor 7:5-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 7:5-7: 7:5-7 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 ). • Initially, Paul had no rest (this Greek word is used in 2 Cor 2:13 , 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 ). Titus arrived from Corinth with the news that Paul’s letter (see 2 Cor 2:3-4 ) had done its work (7:8-16 ). This was the chief cause of Paul’s joy .

a7:5-7►

bActs 20:1-2►

c2 Cor 2:13►

dPs 42:5-6►

e2 Cor 2:3-4►

f7:8-16►

g7:8-13a►

h2:3-4►

i2:6-11►

j7:9-10►

kMatt 27:3-6►

lHeb 12:16-17►

‏ 2 Corinthians 7:5-9

Summary for 2Cor 7:5-7: 7:5-7 ^a 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 ^b).

• Initially, Paul had no rest (this Greek word is used in 2 Cor 2:13 ^c, 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 ^d). Titus arrived from Corinth with the news that Paul’s letter (see 2 Cor 2:3-4 ^e) had done its work (7:8-16 ^f). This was the chief cause of Paul’s joy.
Summary for 2Cor 7:8-13: 7:8-13a ^g Paul was sorry at first that he had sent his previous letter (see 2:3-4 ^h). 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 ⁱ).
Summary for 2Cor 7:9-10: 7:9-10 ^j Two kinds of sorrow are mentioned: (1) Worldly sorrow that lacks repentance leads to spiritual death (e.g., see Matt 27:3-6 ^k; Heb 12:16-17 ^l). (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.