Today Paul tells the Corinthians sorry but he is not sorry for sending them the harsh letter because it led them to godly repentance. “For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Worldly sorrow is just being sorry because you got caught and have to suffer the consequences but it does not result in a real change and turning from sinful behaviors which lead to death. However, godly sorrow leads one to true repentance for sinning against the Lord resulting in a genuine change in a person’s life.
Paul goes on to ask the Corinthians to complete the collection they started for the needy in Jerusalem. He tells them how the churches of Macedonia, even in their affliction, gave abundantly by grace – “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”
Paul encourages the Corinthians to give generously and joyfully with great anticipation that the Lord will use it to accomplish His awesome purposes. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
Paul explains that his authority and boldness as an apostle come through the power of the Holy Spirit, not his flesh. ”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Tomorrow we wrap up the reading of 2 Corinthians, so keep reading.
(2 Corinthians 6:14-10:18)
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Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 