2Cor 7:8-12 | RWP | e4.org | Though ( ε κα ). If also. Paul treats it as a fact. With my epistle ( εν τη επιστολη ). The one referred to in . I do not regret it ( ου μεταμελομα ). This verb really means "repent" (be sorry again) which meaning we have transferred to μετανοεω , to change one's mind (not to be sorry at all). See ; for the verb μεταμελομα , to be sorry, to regret as here. Paul is now glad that he made them sorry. Though I did regret ( ε κα μετεμελομην ). Imperfect indicative in the concessive clause. I was in a regretful mood at first. For I see ( βλεπω γαρ ). A parenthetical explanation of his present joy in their sorrow. B D do not have γαρ . The Latin Vulgate has videns (seeing) for βλεπων . For a season ( προς ωραν ). Cf. . It was only "for an hour."

‏ 2 Corinthians 7:8-12

Though ( ε κα ). If also. Paul treats it as a fact.

With my epistle ( εν τη επιστολη ). The one referred to in 2:3f.

I do not regret it ( ου μεταμελομα ). This verb really means "repent" (be sorry again) which meaning we have transferred to μετανοεω, to change one's mind (not to be sorry at all). See Mt 21:30; 27:3 for the verb μεταμελομα, to be sorry, to regret as here. Paul is now glad that he made them sorry.

Though I did regret ( ε κα μετεμελομην ). Imperfect indicative in the concessive clause. I was in a regretful mood at first.

For I see ( βλεπω γαρ ). A parenthetical explanation of his present joy in their sorrow. B D do not have γαρ. The Latin Vulgate has videns (seeing) for βλεπων.

For a season ( προς ωραν ). Cf. 1Th 2:17. It was only "for an hour."

Now I rejoice ( νυν χαιρω ). Now that Titus has come and told him the good news from Corinth (2:12f.). This was the occasion of the noble outburst in 2:12-6:10.

Unto repentance ( εις μετανοιαν ). Note the sharp difference here between "sorrow" ( λυπη ) which is merely another form of μεταμελομα (regret, remorse) and "repentance" ( μετανοια ) or change of mind and life. It is a linguistic and theological tragedy that we have to go on using "repentance" for μετανοια. But observe that the "sorrow" has led to "repentance" and was not Itself the repentance.

After a godly sort ( κατα θεον ). In God's way. "God's way as opposed to man's way and the devil's way" (Plummer). It was not mere sorrow, but a change in their attitude that counted.

That ye might suffer loss by us in nothing ( ινα εν μηδεν ζημιωθητε εξ υμων ). Purpose clause with ινα and first aorist passive subjunctive of ζημιοω, old verb to suffer damage. See on Mt 16:26. This was God's intention and so he overruled their sorrow to good.

For godly sorrow ( η γαρ κατα θεον λυπη ). "For the sorrow according to God" (God's ideal, verse 9).

Worketh repentance unto salvation a repentance without regret ( μετανοιαν εις σωτηριαν αμεταμελητον εργαζετα ). This clause alone should have prevented the confusion between mere "sorrow" ( λυπη ) as indicated in μεταμελομα, to regret (to be sorry again) and "change of mind and life" as shown by μετανοιαν ( μετανοεω ) and wrongly translated "repentance." The sorrow according to God does work this "change of mind and life" unto salvation, a change "not to be regretted" ( αμεταμελητον, an old verbal adjective of μεταμελομα and α privative, but here alone in N.T.). It agrees with μετανοιαν, not σωτηριαν.

But the sorrow of the world ( η δε του κοσμου λυπη ). In contrast, the kind of sorrow that the world has, grief "for failure, not for sin" (Bernard), for the results as seen in Cain, Esau (his tears!), and Judas (remorse, μετεμεληθη ). Works out (perfective use of κατ- ) death in the end.

This selfsame thing ( αυτο τουτο ). "This very thing," "the being made sorry according to God" ( το κατα θεον λυπηθηνα, articular first aorist passive infinitive with which αυτο τουτο agrees and the proleptic subject of the verb κατειργασατο.

Earnest care ( σπουδην ). Diligence, from σπευδω, to hasten. Cf. Ro 12:11.

Yea ( αλλα ). Not adversative use of αλλα, but copulative as is common (half dozen examples here).

Clearing of yourselves ( απολογια ). In the old notion of απολογια (self-vindication, self-defence) as in 1Pe 3:15.

Indignation ( αγανακτησιν ). Old word, only here in N.T. From αγανακτεο (Mr 10:14, etc.).

Avenging ( εκδικησιν ). Late word from εκδικεω, to avenge, to do justice (Lu 18:5; 21:22), vindication from wrong as in Lu 18:7, to secure punishment (1Pe 2:14).

Pure ( αγνους ). Kin to αγιος ( αζω, to reverence), immaculate.

But that your earnest care for us might be made manifest ( αλλ' εινεκεν του φανερωθηνα την σπουδην υμων την υπερ ημων ). So the correct text, not "our care for you." Easy to interchange Greek υμων (your) and ημων (our). Usual construction with preposition ενεκεν and genitive of articular infinitive with accusative of general reference.