The Church Made Sorry 2 Corinthians 7:8

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth “earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward” him, and in chapter seven and verse eight of Second Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent” where we read:

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

The verse begins, “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “though I made you” or “even if Paul made the church members” “sorry” which means “to be in grief and heaviness” “with a letter” which refers to “by way and account of his epistle or written message”, “I do not repent” which means “Paul did not care afterwards or regret it”, “though” or “even if and although” “I did repent” which means “Paul did care afterwards and regret it”. Paul knew the church members were made “sad” or “grieved and heavy” after he sent his first letter, and he did not “regret” it. However, afterwards, he did feel a little “regret” for having made them “grieve” so.

The verse continues, “... for I perceive that the same epistle has made you sorry, though it were but for a season.” Paul added the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I perceive” or “Paul discerned, discovered and knew by use and experience” “that the same” which means “the selfsame” “epistle” or “letter or written message” “has made you” which refers to “the church members” “sorry” or “sad, grieved, offended and uneasy”, “though it were but” which means “even if the letter was” “for a season” which refers to “toward and near a certain or definite time”. Paul knew the letter he sent to the church members in Corinth caused them “grief and sadness”, however, there was a specific “time” for those words to have an affect.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he wavered in care for the Corinthian church members “grieve”. He knew they needed correction, but by sharing what was necessary with them, Paul's words would cause them sadness. Jesus Christ brings correction to His church, and even though “feelings” may be affected by His correction, the discipline is essential. God's instruction is meant to bring us into a better relationship with Him, and when we are corrected, even if it gives us “grief or sadness”, He is willing to do what is necessary to align us with His ways.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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