2 Corinthians 7: Godly Sorrow

Paul calls the believers to cleanse themselves and grow in holiness because of God's promises. He asks them to open their hearts, assuring them of his love. When Paul came to Macedonia he was troubled on every side, but God, who comforts the downcast, comforted him through the arrival of Titus and the good news Titus brought. Paul's earlier letter had made the Corinthians sad, but he rejoices because their sorrow led them to repentance. Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, while worldly sorrow produces death. Titus was refreshed by them, and Paul is glad he has complete confidence in them.

Go to worksheets ↓

Bible:

Read 2 Corinthians 7

World English Bible · 16 verses

¹ Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ For behold, this same thing, that you were grieved in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vindication! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² So although I wrote to you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be revealed in you in the sight of God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ For if in anything I have boasted to him on your behalf, I was not disappointed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ I rejoice that in everything I am confident concerning you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

1Pick a grade below
2Look over the worksheet
3Tap Print worksheet. Print the answer key separately.

Pick a grade:

Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Open Preschool on its own page

2 Corinthians 7 · Preschool

God Comforts

Name Date

Color Paul and his friend Titus. God sent a friend to cheer Paul!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.”

2 Corinthians 7:10 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Give your child a hug. Say: When Paul was sad, God sent his friend Titus to cheer him up. God comforts us too.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Corinthians 7 · Grade 4

Sorrow That Leads to Life

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul wants believers to cleanse themselves from everything that makes body and spirit unclean, growing in holiness out of reverence for God. He asks the Corinthians to make room for him in their hearts. He has wronged no one, and he has great pride in them.

When Paul arrived in Macedonia, he had no rest. There were conflicts outside and fears inside. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted him by the coming of Titus. Titus reported that the Corinthians longed for Paul, were sorry, and cared deeply for him.

Paul's earlier letter had made them sad, and for a moment he regretted sending it. Now he rejoices, not because they were sad, but because their sadness led them to repent. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. Worldly sorrow, which is only sad about consequences, leads to death. Their sorrow produced eagerness to make things right.

Show What You Know

Why should believers grow in holiness?
How did God comfort Paul in Macedonia?
What does godly sorrow lead to?
How is worldly sorrow different?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

heartsspiritcomfortedregret

Paul wants believers to cleanse themselves from everything that makes body and unclean, growing in holiness out of reverence for God.
He asks the Corinthians to make room for him in their .
But God, who comforts the downcast, him by the coming of Titus.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no .

Think About It

Paul says godly sorrow leads to real change. How can you tell the difference between being sorry you got caught and being sorry for the wrong?
God comforted Paul through a friend. Who could you encourage this week, the way Titus encouraged Paul?

Memory Verse

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.”

2 Corinthians 7:10 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for friends who cheer me up. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you make things right after hurting someone?
Who could you encourage this week?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Corinthians 7 · Grade 5

Godly Grief and Joy

Name Date

Read and Think

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.

Show What You Know

What practical conclusion does Paul draw from God's promises?
Where does Paul resume the travel story?
What two kinds of sorrow does Paul distinguish?
What did the Corinthians' godly grief produce?

Crossword

Across

I do not ____ it

Down

I am filled with ____
Therefore we have been ____
Open your ____ to us
Perfecting holiness in the ____ of God

Think About It

Paul was willing to cause temporary pain in order to bring healing. When is loving correction the kind thing to do, and how should it be given?
Godly sorrow led the Corinthians to action. What does genuine repentance look like in everyday relationships?

Memory Verse

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.”

2 Corinthians 7:10 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for friends who cheer me up. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When is loving correction kind?
Who might need to hear an apology from you?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

More print options

Student sheets have no answers on them. The answer key is a separate document for teachers and parents.

This gradeOnly the Preschool sheet

Whole chapterEvery verse of the chapter, in the translation you pickOpen & print

All student sheetsEvery grade, preschool to grade 5Open & print

Answer keyAll grades in one, each grade labeledOpen & print

‹ All 2 Corinthians chapters · All books

2 Corinthians 7: Godly Sorrow

Read 2 Corinthians 7

Worksheets

God Comforts

Prayer

Take It Home

Sorry and Glad

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Godly Sorrow

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

Take It Home

A Good Kind of Sorry

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Comfort Through Titus

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Godly Sorrow

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Sorrow That Leads to Life

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Godly Grief and Joy

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options