(2Co 7:12) “Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.”  If one is to be corrected, their good must be at the uttermost in that decision. I remember once in a deacon’s meeting, over a hour discussing the best way to approach someone, simply because their good was being held utmost in our minds. 

(2Co 7:11) “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”  What is the example of godly repentance? Answer: the action of either setting forth evidence as to innocence or an active humbling of self as one seeks to correct the error.

(2Co 7:10) “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”  It seems most today think souls will respond to the gospel by giving them that which is most sweet – the love of God. They will mention the cross, but not tell the lost their own responsibility for what happened there. How then can that soul bring forth a godly sorrow that produced repentance unto salvation?

(2Co 7:8) “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.”  When you love people, you do not wish to hurt them, but to help them. Yet, that desire not to hurt cannot keep us from doing that which is best for the whole church. This is very hard to do, but necessary. Remember what has been taught, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Cor 5:6).

(2Co 7:6) “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (7) And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.”  The greatest experience upon this earth is to love and be loved. Here before us is one of the wonderful results of loving and being loved. The Lord God desires us to love Him with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength. He commands us to give such love to even our enemies.

(2Co 7:5) “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.”  Being saved, walking by faith, trusting the Lord, doesn’t mean at times we are not subject to concerns (fears). We are still living in this old flesh. It means we endure knowing that the Lord is still in control and nothing should be allowed to stop us from serving God.

(2Co 7:4) “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”  Did you catch the secret to being joyful in tribulation? It comes as a blessing from the Lord as a result of where the mind is placed. Joy comes when the mind is focused upon His glory rather than our trial.

(2Co 7:4) “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”  Why? Because Paul had received word that they had responded rightly to the rebuke and instruction of First Corinthians (v.6-7). When God’s people demonstrate their love and desire to do right before God, it is a wonderful thing to behold!

(2Co 7:3) “I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.”  The preacher has to keep in mind that his people may not be as spiritually minded as he thought. Therefore they should be reminded that correction of action’s motivation is not self’s desire, but their good.

 (2Co 7:2) “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. (3) I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.”  There are all types of people in among the saved, the family of God. The pride of some when lovingly rebuked will cause them to react wrongly. The desire to please God in others will cause them to love you more.