©2002 Pastor Tom Miles

2 Corinthians Chapter Seven

In chapter seven we find Paul giving a summary of his appeals to the Corinthians made in chapter 6.  Paul makes note again of how we should keep our hearts wide open and strive towards spiritual purity.  In remembering chapter two we find Paul returning there and addressing in verses 4-7 his anxiety in having searched for Titus.  He expresses the great joy felt when receiving Titus and the letter from the Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul appeals to the church at Corinth for holiness.  Paul reminds them of the promises given and the call to remove all forms of filthiness from us by coming before God in reverence aiming towards the perfecting of holiness through Him.  Paul reiterates the importance of staying away from all things unclean!  It seems to be a synopsis of the plea given in verses 14-18 of chapter 6.

2 Corinthians 7:2-3 Open your hearts and make room for us because we have done nothing wrong is what Paul pleads with the Corinthians to do in verses 2 & 3.  This plea was heard also in 2 Corinthians 6:11-13.  The words Paul speaks to them are said out of love not to hurt or condemn them.  Paul wants them to realize that the only way he can speak to them in out of love because his love for them is so great.  He loves them so much he would suffer death with them also.  Father, do I have that type of love? If not instill it in me dear Lord so that I have that same type of love!

2 Corinthians 7:4-6 His comfort and joy is boosted by his hearing from Titus about them.  Paul speaks with boldness because of his great comfort and joy in their following his instruction to them.  He says his arrival in Macedonia caused him to be troubled.  We remember from 2 Corinthians 2:12 that he first came from Ephesus to Troas expecting to meet Titus.  He desired to hear the news from Corinth concerning the letter he had sent to them.  But Titus was not there and this disturbed Paul and caused him to have great concern.   Paul says our soul had no rest, which is similar to 2 Corinthians 2:13.  Paul said it was a battle within and without and struggles and fears abounded but God soon comforted him by the arrival of Titus (2 Corinthians 2:12-13) and the news of the compliance of the Corinth church to his letter!

2 Corinthians 7:7 Titus came bearing good news of the repentance of the Corinthian Believers.  It was not just Titus’ coming that brought rejoicing but it was a combination of meeting again his beloved friend and hearing also the great news of their earnest desire to cleanse themselves and to care for and comfort Titus also as he was amongst them.  Paul rejoiced over their desire to correct their faults because of their love not only for Paul but also for the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 7:8 Paul is glad he wrote the earlier letter even though it was written in sorrow.  Even though he was not sure of the manner in which his letter would be received he still wrote it and included in it the detail of correction needed to bring them to the answer they came to.  Paul is pleased that his letter caused them to see the error of their ways and to repent!  Father, it is always for our best that You send reprove to us but so often we balk at it and turn our backs to it because after all--what wrong could we do! Oh Lord, we do so much wrong and so often close our eyes to it. Oh, dear Lord, help us to see that correction is good and needed and that it is only brought to us for our own good!

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 It was not because the Corinthians were made to feel sorry for what they did but it was instead because they truly realized what they were doing was wrong.  Because of the letter they were able to truly realize their sins and ungodly behavior.  Paul says this is a change in their life that they will never regret.  Coming to the realization that sin is selfish and creates only evil which leads to poor health, and a shorter life span virtually corrupting the very life God gave should be enough to keep man from turning back to sin.

2 Corinthians 7:11 It is very difficult to have our own sins brought before us and for most of us it is even harder to put sin behind us.  Paul gives praise to the Corinthians for taking control of this matter and repenting of their sins.  They could have become very defensive and let their pride get in the way and walked away from Paul's letter of correction but instead they admitted their wrong doing and accepted Paul's correction as coming from God.

2 Corinthians 7:12 Even so, says Paul, meaning that he wrote to them not just for the sake of the incestuous person but also to express his deep concern and care for them.  Paul wanted them to know of his great love for them no matter what others might say.

2 Corinthians 7:13-16 Paul says that through all of this great rejoicing has taken place and much of it is due to their repentance and treatment towards Titus.  Paul says his joy is in the joy of Titus.  The manner in which Titus said they comforted him was not only a refreshing to Titus but it was a refreshing to Paul.  For what Titus had to say about the Corinthians Paul was pleased because they lived up to the expectations he had for them.  Paul had bragged on them and what they did in turn for Titus helped to reassure his belief in them as lovers of Christ.  Titus also expressed a deep love for them because of the way they treated him.  All of these things helped to increase Paul's confidence in the Corinthians and greatly contributed to his joy in them.

Father, fill us with love overflowing and pour out Your Spirit upon us.  Let us take joy in helping others and doing what it is right.  Let us always extend a hand of love and compassion receiving one another with the love of Christ in Jesus name, amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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