The big picture
2 Corinthians 7 opens in verse 1 with “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I…”, and closes in verse 16 with “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.” Repeated or prominent terms include sorry, comforted, fear, godly, Titus. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Corinthians · King James Version · 162 Corinthians 7:1-8
1–8: Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse…
2 Corinthians 7:1–8 opens with “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of…” and reaches “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 7 develops its own movement around sorry, comforted, fear, godly, Titus, with particular weight carried by comforted, coming, flesh.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.” The line’s distinctive content terms include condemn, hearts, live. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
“For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Corinthians 7:1-8
King James Version1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
8For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
2 Corinthians 7:9-16
9–16: I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to…
2 Corinthians 7:9–16 opens with “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made…” and reaches “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 7 develops its own movement around sorry, comforted, fear, godly, Titus, with particular weight carried by godly, cause, fear.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly…” The line’s distinctive content terms include sorry, damage, godly. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
“For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear…” The line’s distinctive content terms include abundant, affection, fear. Its relationship to verses 14 and 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
2 Corinthians 7:9-16
King James Version9Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
12Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
13Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.
15And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
16I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Corinthians 7:1 begins with “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of…”
Where the chapter turns
2 Corinthians 7:9 forms a natural hinge: “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage…”
The final note
2 Corinthians 7:16 leaves the reader with “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words sorry, comforted, fear, godly, Titus, cause help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What links this event with creation?
Waters overwhelm the inhabited world, reversing the separations that made life possible.
What details show continuity rather than total abandonment?
The named household and preserved kinds of living creatures survive within the ark.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
- spake
- spoke
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.