Godly Grief and Joy

Paul draws a practical conclusion from the promises of chapter 6. Since God will dwell among His people, believers should cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Paul then renews his plea for open hearts. He has wronged, corrupted, and exploited no one, and he holds the Corinthians in his heart to live and die together.

Paul resumes the travel story he paused in chapter 2. In Macedonia his body had no rest; he was afflicted at every turn, with fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted him through the arrival of Titus and through the report Titus brought of the church's longing, mourning, and zeal for Paul.

Paul reflects on the letter he had written with many tears. It caused grief, and he briefly regretted it, but now he rejoices because their grief led to repentance. He distinguishes two kinds of sorrow. Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death. Their godly grief produced earnestness, eagerness to clear themselves, indignation, alarm, longing, zeal, and readiness to see justice done. Titus's joy and affection for them confirm that Paul's boasting about them was true, and Paul rejoices in complete confidence.