Summing up everything that has been said about the Kingdom, witness, and relationships between the inhabitants of the Kingdom, Paul concludes that he should not regret what he had previously said about some of the Corinthian brothers. Indeed, if, as the apostle learned, they were completely sincere in their concern for him when...
Summing up everything that has been said about the Kingdom, witness, and relationships between the inhabitants of the Kingdom, Paul concludes that he should not regret what he had previously said about some of the Corinthian brothers (vv. 1-4). Indeed, if, as the apostle learned, they were completely sincere in their concern for him when he faced serious difficulties in Macedonia (vv. 5-7), then they understood him correctly and did not take offence at reproaches that were entirely justified in this case. Paul can therefore rest assured that if there is no offence, then the problem has evidently been recognised and there is repentance for the sin to which the apostle had drawn the Corinthian church's attention.
Of course, no one can take pleasure in having such a thing pointed out to them, but the outcome can differ depending on the reaction of those whose sin is identified, and Paul is glad that on this occasion the reaction was appropriate (vv. 8-9). The point is probably not only that they listened to his words and followed his advice, but that in doing so the Corinthian brothers bore witness to their trust in the apostle, both spiritually and on the purely human level.
Indeed, one can heed criticism only if, first, one trusts the experience and knowledge of the person offering it, assuming that he can be relied upon in this regard, and second, which is no less important, one trusts him as a person, being certain that his advice and criticism are prompted neither by self-interest nor by a desire for self-assertion, but by concern for one's neighbours. The relationships formed between the inhabitants of the Kingdom certainly allow for criticism, but in every case they presuppose the sincerity, integrity, and goodwill of the person offering it. Thus for Paul, the appropriate response of the Corinthian brothers becomes a sign that they received his words as Christians receiving them from a Christian, in the manner proper to the inhabitants of the Kingdom.
7
7:1 Let us cleanse ourselves - This is the latter part of the exhortation, which was proposed, Co2 6:1, and resumed, Co2 6:14. From all pollution of the flesh - All outward sin.And of the spirit - All inward. Yet let us not rest in negative religion, but perfect holiness - Carrying it to the height in all its branches, and enduring to the end in the loving fear of God, the sure foundation of all holiness.
7:2 Receive us - The sum of what is said in this, as well as in the tenth and following chapters. We have hurt no man - In his person.We have corrupted no man - In his principles. We have defrauded no man - Of his property. In this he intimates likewise the good he had done them, but with the utmost modesty, as it were not looking upon it.
7:3 I speak not to condemn you - Not as if I accused you of laying this to my charge. I am so far from thinking so unkindly of you, that ye are in our hearts, to live and die with you - That is, I could rejoice to spend all my days with you.
7:4 I am filled with comfort - Of this he treats, Co2 7:6, etc ; of his joy, Co2 7:7, etc ; of both, Co2 7:13.
7:5 Our flesh - That is, we ourselves. Had no rest from without - From the heathens. Were fightings - Furious and cruel oppositions. From within - From our brethren. Were fears - Lest they should be seduced.
7:7 Your earnest desire - To rectify what had been amiss.Your grief - For what had offended God, and troubled me.
7:8 I did repent - That is, I felt a tender sorrow for having grieved you, till I saw the happy effect of it.
7:10 The sorrow of the world - Sorrow that arises from worldly considerations. Worketh death - Naturally tends to work or occasion death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal.
7:11 How great diligence it wrought in you - Shown in all the following particulars. Yea, clearing of yourselves - Some had been more, some less, faulty; whence arose these various affections. Hence their apologizing and indignation, with respect to themselves; their fear and desire, with respect to the apostle; their zeal and revenge, with respect to the offender, yea, and themselves also.Clearing of yourselves - From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin.Indignation - That ye had not immediately corrected the offender.Fear - Of God's displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod.Vehement desire - To see me again. Zeal - For the glory of God, and the soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge - Ye took a kind of holy revenge upon yourselves, being scarce able to forgive yourselves. In all things ye - As a church. Have approved yourselves to be pure - That is, free from blame, since ye received my letter.
7:12 It was not only, or chiefly, for the sake of the incestuous person, or of his father; but to show my care over you.