BaptistWay Bible Series for Oct. 24: ‘Good grief’ produces repentance, not regret_101804

Posted: 10/15/04

BaptistWay Bible Series for Oct. 24

'Good grief' produces repentance, not regret

2 Corinthians 7:5-16

By Todd Still

Truett Seminary, Waco

We have all said and done things and then had second thoughts. So did the Apostle Paul. Sometimes, upon further reflection, we conclude we said or did the wrong thing. Other times, we gaze in life's rear-view mirror and determine we said or did the right thing after all.

This is the way Paul felt about the so-called “tearful epistle” he had written to the Corinthians. Although he had been sorry he had written the letter because it had grieved the congregation, their grief turned out to be profitable (2 Corinthians 7:8). That the church not only mourned over but also repented of its sin turned Paul's regret into rejoicing (v. 9). The assembly's “good grief” brought Paul no small amount of relief.

Our text for this week's lesson picks up where Paul left off in 2:13. After a sustained and substantive aside, if 2:13-7:4 may be accurately described as such, Paul continues in 7:5-16 to inform the Corinthians of what happened to him after he left Troas and moved on to Macedonia. Although the apostle had ministry opportunities in Troas, Titus' delay in returning to Paul produced an anxiety in Paul that precluded him from walking through open ministerial doors (2:12-13).

Such anxiety on the part of the apostle should disabuse us of the notion that Paul was a saint cast in cold marble. In an effort to reconnect with his gentile coworker Titus, Paul departed Troas for Macedonia. Titus apparently was the courier of the now-lost letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians “out of much distress and anguish of heart.”

Despite a change in location, Paul continued to experience affliction. Disputes from without and fears from within kept the apostle from finding rest (v. 5). The apostle's acute anxiety was generated and sustained by his concern for his ministerial colleague, the spiritual health of the Corinthian assembly and his desire for a restored relationship with them. For Paul to be at peace, Titus would need to come to him in Macedonia with a positive report from Corinth.

In verse 6, Paul informs the Corinthians that was precisely what happened. In the midst of his affliction, God comforted Paul through the arrival of Titus. Furthermore, that the Corinthians had comforted Titus and had told him of their ongoing commitment to Paul and his ministry prompted the apostle to rejoice even more (v. 7).

At his arrival, Titus informed Paul his now-lost letter had caused the Corinthians grief, albeit temporarily. It was not their grief that brought Paul relief and prompted him to rejoice, but the repentance that resulted from their grief.

In verse 9, Paul depicts the grief that led to their repentance as “grief according to God.” Moreover, the apostle regards “godly grief” as gain. It is a “good grief” because it produces repentance and not regret. If “grief according to God brings about repentance which results in salvation,” “worldly grief brings about death” (v. 10).

In verse 11, Paul reflects further on the positive repercussions of “godly grief” upon the Corinthians. It produced within the fellowship a spiritual earnestness and enthusiasm. They demonstrated a desire to take sin seriously and to repair ruptured relationships with one another and the apostle. So much so that Paul declares, “At every point you have proved yourselves guiltless in the matter.” Although we would like to know more about the “matter” of which Paul speaks, the apostle does not want to grind an axe. In fact, Paul shows no more willingness to harp on their sin than God does on our confessed sin (1 John 1:9).

It is probable that Paul has in view in verse 11 the “matter” he mentioned earlier in the letter (vv. 5-11). Even so, the apostle insists in verse 12 he did not write his “tearful epistle” to the Corinthians in order to attack his detractor or to defend himself. Rather, he wrote so the church might be led to renew their commitment to him as their apostle before God (v. 12).

Paul reiterates here the comfort he has experienced from their having done so. He also underscores the joy he has derived from Titus' warm reception among and fond affection for the Corinthians (v. 13). Like a proud parent, Paul had boasted about the church to Titus. Like a concerned parent, Paul wondered if he had been overconfident (v. 14).

Titus' overwhelmingly positive field report from Corinth (v. 15) prompted Paul, in so many words, once again to display a picture of the congregation and to ask those gathered around him, “Have you seen my spiritual children in Corinth lately?” (v. 16). Perhaps those meant to admire the assembly's picture responded by saying, “Good grief, Paul, give it a break.” To which Paul could have said, “Grief truly can be good if it is godly grief. Have I told you about my spiritual children in Corinth lately?”

Discussion questions

Can you recall a time when “good grief” ultimately had a good result in your life?

Do believers have a responsibility to their spiritual children's growth?