“For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, that fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, that vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11).
Corinth was a very prestigious city. Bad things that happened there would affect all the other churches, endangering the cause of Christianity among the Gentiles, which is why Paul was very happy with the report he got from bit us. “Three things in particular revealed the favorable elect of the letter and of Titus’ visit. In each of the three staccato phrases the pronoun is emphatic, indicating to the Corinthians that they had provided the comfort and joy of which Paul speaks four earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me).“—SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 883. They understood the grief they had caused for Pauli they were sorry, and they repented.
The sorrow of the Christians in Corinth was changed into Paul’s joy: their sorrow was transitory, and it would lead them to genuine repentance. A pastor who loves their congregation does not cause pain to any of them; they are sure of their actions before they act. The Christians in Corinth had benefited Tom the counsels of the first epistle. This beneficial sorrow gave good results, because it was their genuine sorrow for the sins committed that led them to repentance. The shame we fee) when we are discovered in something dishonorable, or fear of the consequences, is not the sorrow to which Paul is referring, he describes the sorrow that is beneficial is godly sorrow (see 2 Corinthians 7:11). That is the sorrow that acknowledges our faults and admits having offended God; it leads us to make an effort to repair the fault and to not commit it again. All genuine repentance is work of the Holy Spirit.
Paul praised the Christians in Corinth for seven characteristics of their repentance that show a change of attitude:
“What diligence”: fervor for abandoning sin, and diligence to do the will of God.
“What clearing of yourselves»: clearing up misunderstandings, disapproving of the former attitude.
‘What indignation”: for having supported scandalous behavior.
“What fear”: emphasizing reverence for God. What vehement desire”: the new spirit of companionship and understanding. “Star real”: the new attitude they assumed concerning immorality.
«What vindication”: they punished the person who had caused scandal among the congregation, and vindicated Paul’s character. “This is the result of the work of the Spirit of God. There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation.”—The Great Controversy, ch. 28, p. 462.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Esteban Cortes
