2 CORINTHIANS chapter 7

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Summary verse 1

  1. “Therefore” introduces a concluding application and exhortation arising out of the previous context.
  2. We may not be in violation of the doctrine of separation perspective se, but we can use improvement when it comes to the STA.
  3. Paul includes himself in this exhortation.
  4. Failure to both separate (one thing, compare verse 17 above) and to touch (STA involvement with what is unclean, which may or may not include the need to separate from a reversionist) negates (to that degree) the blessings associated with God's promises.
  5. Paul (as all of us) can use improvement in the latter (STA as ruler apart from failure to separate) so he includes himself in the exhortation.
  6. The promises in view are those promises given to the royal family.
  7. They are represented in a general way in the above Old Testament citations.
  8. Specifically, they are learned via GAP.
  9. They fall into two general categories.
  1. Those that are actual as of the SAJG, like the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
  2. Those that are real and potential, depending on Ph2 application.
  1. Like Israel, we have many wonderful blessings.
  2. “Beloved” is a reference to our position and privilege in “The Beloved” (EPHESIANS 1:6).
  3. The Ph2 challenge is to convert those assets into capital gains.
  4. But as long as we, and to the degree that we, permit the STA to be ruler of life (compare ROMANS 6:12,13), we fail to convert and reap blessing.
  5. As long as we are slaves to the STA, we (ROMANS 6:6) neutralize the promises.
  6. The defilement associated with the STA must be fought on two fronts:
  1. The RBAJG (1 JOHN 1:7-10).
  2. The MAJG.
  1. Cleansing is by water—the Word of God (EPHESIANS 5:26).
  2. Bible doctrine is the cleansing agent both in a preventative sense (Bible doctrine in the brain computer by which we avoid dirt) and curative sense (use rebound when we sin).
  3. The flesh is the sourceof defilement and so Bible doctrine prevents a state of uncleanness.
  4. The spirit, the real you, is “cleansed” via rebound.
  5. For this dual cleansing to be effective, one must stay under MPR.

Summary verse 2

  1. The imperative to “make room for us” is a resumption of 6:11-13.
  2. The Corinthians had made room for both the false teachers and Paul.
  3. They need to repudiate them totally and make spacious accommodations for Paul.
  4. The three aorist indicatives refer to the time when Paul was with them.
  5. Paul was accused of being a bully (unfair), a teacher of false doctrine (corrupt) and a con-man (defraud—the Jerusalem offering).
  6. These things were true of the false teachers.

Summary verse 3

  1. It is not Paul's purpose to indulge in recriminations, nor would it be profitable.
  2. To do so would be an indication of bitterness.
  3. What they need is encouragement.
  4. Which includes statements about Paul's affection and confidence towards them.
  5. Hence, his reminder to them of what he had said earlier on, that they were in his heart (compare 6:11).
  6. But his language now is more intense.
  7. He speaks with the devotion of the true lover.
  8. Not only are they in his heart and affections but they are there in life as well as death.
  9. This love does not depend on them—he will love them as his flock regardless.
  10. As evidenced by his faithfulness to them during their unfaithfulness.
  11. Applications:
  1. the pastoral heart does not indulge in recrimination but seeks to win (not to alienate) the faltering believer.
  2. It is legitimate for a pastor to speak of his appreciation, affection, and confidence in his congregation.
  3. A pastor’s love for his right congregation doesn’t change because of their lapses. (The maladjusted pastor abandons them.)

Summary verse 4

  1. Paul's confidence in the Corinthians’ positive volition to prevail over their failings is great.
  2. Paul remains optimistic about their future.
  3. And he has so expressed his confidence verbally to them.
  4. People need this moral support as a function of comfort—encouragement.
  5. This confidence is based on their early momentum.
  6. He doesn’t let their failure undermine this confidence.
  7. He also boasts to others about them.
  8. One of those to whom he had spoken proudly of them was Titus even while they were allowing their attitude towards him to be influenced by his detractors.
  9. Paul mentions the comfort that he has been under especially the good news that Titus brought him about them.
  10. Comfort was Paul's in large measure since his sufferings were so great (compare 1:5).
  11. The effect of the pleroma of comfort had the present effect of +H to the point of ecstatics!
  12. God brings comfort into the experience of the suffering believer to the degree that he/she suffers.
  13. A large portion of that comfort was the recent news of their reversion recovery (compare verses 5-7).
  14. This will be explained in the following verses.
  15. While experiencing super +H stimulation of the emotions based on resident doctrine and the recent news of Corinth, the aggregate common human problems remain.
  16. Suffering for righteous cannot negate comfort producing +H.

resumption of the narrative of 2:13

Summary verse 5

  1. At this point, Paul takes up the account which was interrupted at 2:14/
  2. Chapter two, verse fourteen through chapter seven, verse four may be regarded as a digression.
  3. This digression is neither incidental or secondary in importance.
  4. The doctrinal themes of this section are designed to further assist their reversion recovery.
  5. In 2:12ff, Paul was explaining how he did not find Titus at Troas and went on into Macedonia.
  6. He had to conduct his Macedonia ministry without knowing the situation at Corinth.
  7. Did they accept or reject Titus and 1 Corinthians?
  8. In Macedonia he faced overt opposition of every conceivable kind.
  9. Plus, he experienced soulish fears and concerns.
  10. Both of a sinful variety (ACTS 18:9) and of a legitimate kind (concern for the spiritual well-being of others (compare 11:3; 12:20).
  11. His body (flesh = non-technical and spirit = non-technical) went without rest. (Your niche might include lack of rest yet God .

Summary verses 6,7

  1. PRINCIPLE: THE MORE WE ARE AFFLICTED, SO MUCH GREATER IS THE COMFORT PREPARED FOR US BY God.
  2. This principle constitutes one of the dominant notes of this epistle.
  3. The epistle opens with this thought (1:3ff).
  4. It is a doctrine espoused in the Old Testament (ISAIAH 49:13).
  5. Paul's reunion with Titus is an example of God providing comfort via a believer’s circumstances.
  6. Titus left Paul at a time when there was great pressure on Paul.
  7. The Corinthian problems pressed hard on Paul.
  8. Paul naturally looked forward to reunion with Titus and news from Corinth.
  9. The comfort was intensified by the fact that Paul missed Titus at Troas as planned (comfort 2:12,13).
  10. In addition to the comfort from merely being able to enjoy the association of Titus, the news from Corinth ministered comfort to him.
  11. Favorable news is a source of comfort especially the news of positive volition.
  12. News of reversion recovery from Corinth especially gave Paul a morale boost.
  13. Both Titus and Paul were given a moral shot in the arm.
  14. Humans in general need encouragement, be creatures with emotional needs.
  15. But positive believers will be pursued by the God of all comfort, with comfort.
  16. The result is +H.

Summary verse 8

  1. Paul again tells them that his purpose in writing 1 Corinthians was not to cause them sorrow.
  2. Paul does not build his happiness on others unhappiness—an STA function.
  3. Pastoral love is incompatible with enjoying bringing them misery and engaging in recrimination.
  4. The letter caused him regret knowing the misery it would bring them.
  5. Legitimate sorrow is a part of reversion recovery (“sanctified sorrow”).
  6. When one subjects his erroneous norms and standards to the criticism of Bible doctrine, sorrow is an immediate, natural, emotional reaction.
  7. Paul, however, does not now regret their past sorrow in light of their present repentance.

Summary verse 9

  1. Paul's happiness is not built on their unhappiness, but on their response to Titus and 1 Corinthians.
  2. Paul's love for them compelled him to write even though he knew it would bring them intense sorrow.
  3. Regret had given place to rejoicing; but he is quick to explain that it was not their sorrow which brought him joy but the result of it—their repentance.
  4. Paul is careful to remove any possibility of misrepresentation.
  5. Their sorrow was according to the standard of God—that is, in relationship to repentance it became “sanctified”.
  6. Had not Paul caused the sorrow by writing 1 Corinthians, they would have suffered loss.

Summary verse 10

  1. Verse ten bring together in one verse all the necessary ingredients in “sanctified sorrow”.
  2. Including a reference to negative sorrow.
  3. Sanctification sorrow includes the essential ingredient of positive volition from a state of negative volition, called repentance.
  4. Sanctification sorrow + repentance—regret MAJG.
  5. Salvation is a synonym for the MAJG.
  6. Verse where salvation is used of the MAJG: PHILIPPIANS 2:12;;

JAMES 1:21; 2:14; 1 PETER 1:9; 1 CORINTHIANS 5:5;

2 CORINTHIANS 6:2; 7:10; 1 TIMOTHY 4:16.

  1. Verses where it is used of ultimate sanctification: ROMANS 5:9,10;

1 THESSALONIANS 5:8,9.

  1. It is used of temporal deliverance in 2 CORINTHIANS 1:6.
  2. Ingredients of “godly sorrow”.
  1. Emotional sorrow, shame, and regret for a short time.
  2. Change of mind concerning Bible doctrine.
  3. Positive volition leading to the MAJG.
  4. No lingering regret or sorrow.
  1. Sorrow minus positive volition simply perpetuates the spiritual condition with emotional anguish.
  2. The spiritual condition is death in the case of the unbeliever or believer.
  3. Judas regretted what he did, but there was no repentance (compare MATTHEW 27:3).

the Corinthians are the compelling reality of the doctrine of verse 10

the illustration of verse 10

Summary verses 11,12

  1. What is categorical theology in verse ten is experiential reality in verse eleven.
  2. Paul's mood in verse eleven is one of extreme elation over the news of their “godly sorrow”.
  3. Paulpraises their notable degree of eager applicationthey have evidenced in contrast to their former indifference and carelessness.
  4. Paullists a half dozen forms in which this eager applicationhas manifested itself.
  5. These include:
  1. Exoneration or clearing themselves based on the doctrineof grace and godly sorrow.
  2. Indignation—the mental attitudeabout their past.
  3. Fear of Godand His authoritywithin the gift—the “rod” approach.
  4. Longing—their desire to see Paul.
  5. Zeal for the function of “right pastor”.
  6. Avenging of wrong—refers to the case of the incestuous Corinthian in which they cleaned up their act.
  1. Paulsingles out this difficult situationand praises them for their correct application.
  2. They went from total misapplicationto correct application.
  3. They are no longer under cursing in this matter.
  4. Versetwelve is a statementof overall purposefor writing 1 Corinthians.
  5. As noteworthy as the problemof the flagrant reversionistwas, it was not the overriding basis for writing 1 Corinthians.
  6. Many would, because of thevery nature of the case, make this the major issue.
  7. As serious as it was, it was merely a symptom of a deeper issue.
  8. STAhostility towards right pastor, borne of any number of STAread-outs: envy, arrogance, embarrassment, etc.
  9. Pauldenies that he wrote 1 Corinthiansprimarily to address the flagrant reversionismproblem; rather he wrote to produce a new earnestness toward “right pastor”.
  10. This earnestness to apply the doctrineof right pastoris the production of “godly sorrow”.
  11. The believer, under such conditions, realizes his new found zeal for his pastor.
  12. Remember that Godmonitors your mental attitudetoward him.

Summaryverses13-16

  1. Paul's+Hover Titus’ report was all the greater because of the command/encouragement that Titusreceived.
  2. Doctrineenables us to rejoice with those who rejoice.
  3. Titusreceivedspiritualrefreshment from this encounter as he was an eye witness to reversion recovery.
  4. Titusentered a churchwith schisms, arrogance, and false teachings.
  5. He went into a situationthat on the surface appeared the last place he would be refreshed.
  6. The great confidencePaulhad towards them (compareverse4; 2:3) is illustrated here, for he had spoken so well of them prior to Titus’ visit.
  7. Paul'sconfidencein them was based on his experiences with them.
  8. Their present aberration in no way dampened his confidence.
  9. He sought to instill this confidencein Titus.
  10. This boasting in them before Titusis designed to encourage them.
  11. They are to compare his boast in them with the doctrinetaught them and see his genuine sincerity.
  12. Apastor,who is a pastorindeed, will possess this same confidence in his church.
  13. Paulfurther encourages them by relating Titus’ present affection for them.
  14. Titushas a very strong feeling for them.
  15. The content of his emotion is their “obedience”.
  16. The content of “sanctificationemotion” is Bible doctrineplus experience filtered throughthe emotional pattern.
  17. Its content can be sorrowor +Hand comfort.
  18. Instead of contempt and rejection of the church, they now have fear.
  19. They received him as the apostle’s representative.