Godly Sorrow and Joy over Their Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:2-16
2Cor.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Χωρησατε: VERB,pres,act,impv,2,pl
- ημας·ουδενα: PRON,acc,pl,1;PRON,acc,sg,m
- ηδικησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ουδενα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εφθειραμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- ουδενα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- επλεονεκτησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 6:3 (verbal): Both passages insist on blameless conduct; 6:3’s claim to give no offense parallels 7:2’s declarations that they wronged, corrupted, or defrauded no one.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 (thematic): Paul appeals to the Thessalonians as witnesses of his holy, righteous, blameless behavior toward them—an appeal like 7:2’s defense of apostolic integrity.
- Acts 20:33-35 (thematic): Paul’s statement that he coveted no one’s silver or clothing and his example of self‑giving parallels 7:2’s denial of taking advantage of or defrauding the believers.
- 2 Corinthians 12:17-18 (verbal): A closely related passage in the same letter where Paul rhetorically asks whether he made a gain from the Corinthians—directly parallel to 7:2’s denial of exploiting them.
- 1 Corinthians 9:15-18 (thematic): Paul’s discussion of his apostolic rights and his refusal to use the gospel for personal gain corresponds to 7:2’s claim that he wronged or profited from no one.
Alternative generated candidates
- Receive us— we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have defrauded no one.
- Open your hearts to us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have defrauded no one.
2Cor.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προς: PREP
- κατακρισιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- προειρηκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- καρδιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- συναποθανειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- συζην: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (thematic): Paul expresses deep personal affection and willingness to share not only the gospel but his own life with the recipients—paralleling 2 Cor 7:3’s claim that the Corinthians are held in Paul’s heart to ‘die and live together.’
- Romans 6:8 (verbal): Language of dying and living together—'if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him'—echoes the paired motifs of death and life found in 2 Cor 7:3.
- Philippians 1:23-25 (thematic): Paul balances his desire for death (to be with Christ) against remaining alive for the sake of the community; like 2 Cor 7:3, it reflects Paul’s concern for the welfare of believers and readiness to live or die in relation to them.
- 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (verbal): Paul describes 'always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus' so that 'the life of Jesus' may be shown—continuing the motif of shared dying and living that underlies 2 Cor 7:3’s mutual solidarity.
Alternative generated candidates
- I do not say this to make you ashamed; for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die with us and to live with us.
- I do not say this to condemn you; for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
2Cor.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πολλη: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- παρρησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- πολλη: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- καυχησις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υπερ: PREP
- υμων·πεπληρωμαι: PRON,gen,pl,2+VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρακλησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- υπερπερισσευομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χαρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- παση: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- θλιψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (verbal): Same cluster of ideas—God’s consolation (παράκλησις) in affliction and Paul’s role as one who is comforted in order to comfort others; similar language about being filled with consolation amid suffering.
- Romans 5:3-5 (thematic): Affliction and suffering produce endurance, character and hope/joy; parallels the motif of rejoicing or overflowing with joy in the midst of tribulation.
- Philippians 2:17-18 (thematic): Paul speaks of rejoicing and sharing joy with the believers even if his service involves suffering—echoes the idea of overflowing joy amid hardship and boasting in the community.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (thematic): Paul’s language of boasting/boast (καύχημα) in the Corinthians echoes here: believers are presented as Paul’s hope, joy and crown—an object of apostolic pride and joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
- Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
2Cor.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- ελθοντων: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,gen,pl,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εις: PREP
- Μακεδονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουδεμιαν: ADJ,f,acc,sg
- εσχηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- ανεσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σαρξ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- αλλ᾽εν: CONJ
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- θλιβομενοι: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- εξωθεν: ADV
- μαχαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εσωθεν: ADV
- φοβοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (thematic): Paul recalls a prior experience of extreme distress in Asia where they despaired even of life, echoing the severe hardship and lack of bodily rest described in 2 Cor 7:5.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (verbal): Similar language of being 'troubled on every side' (or 'afflicted on every side') and suffering external pressures yet not destroyed — closely parallels the outward conflicts and inward fears of 7:5.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 (structural): Lists the apostolic hardships ('tribulations, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watchings, fastings') that correspond to the multifaceted affliction and opposition Paul summarizes in 7:5.
- Romans 8:35 (thematic): Mention of tribulation, distress, and persecution as trials that do not separate believers from Christ parallels the experience of external pressures and inner fears in 7:5 and the sustaining hope Paul elsewhere affirms.
- Psalm 55:4-5 (allusion): The psalmist's language of terror, trembling, and being overwhelmed by dread resonates with the 'fears within' and inner turmoil Paul describes in 7:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- For when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side—conflicts outside, fears within.
- For when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side—conflicts without, fears within.
2Cor.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλ᾽ο: CONJ
- παρακαλων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ταπεινους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- παρεκαλεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- Τιτου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Cor 1:3-4 (verbal): Explicitly calls God 'the Father of mercies and God of all comfort' who comforts us in affliction—direct verbal/thematic echo of God as comforter.
- 2 Cor 7:5-7 (structural): Immediate context: describes prior distress and then how Titus' arrival (his presence) brought consolation—continues the same narrative point.
- 2 Cor 8:16-17 (allusion): Paul's commendation of Titus' zeal and reliability parallels Titus' role here as a trusted envoy who brought comfort and encouragement.
- Phil 2:25-30 (thematic): Epaphroditus is sent as a fellow worker to minister and comfort Paul; parallels the motif of a trusted companion sent to console.
- Ps 34:18 (thematic): 'The LORD is near to the brokenhearted'—Old Testament motif of God’s care for the lowly/afflicted mirrors 'God who comforts the lowly' in 2 Cor 7:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
- But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
2Cor.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρακλησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- παρεκληθη: VERB,aor,pas,ind,3,sg
- εφ᾽υμιν: PREP+PRON,dat,pl,2
- αναγγελλων: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- επιποθησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- οδυρμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ζηλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υπερ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ωστε: CONJ
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- μαλλον: ADV
- χαρηναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 7:6 (structural): Immediate context: Paul says God comforted them by Titus' coming; verse 7 follows by explaining the report Titus brought about the Corinthians.
- 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (thematic): Continuation of the same episode—these verses describe the Corinthians' godly sorrow, repentance, zeal, and the resulting joy that Paul reports and celebrates.
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 (thematic): Paul earlier wrote about causing sorrow and anguish of heart; connects to the Corinthians' mourning and the pastoral dynamics that prompted Titus' visit and report.
- Romans 1:11-12 (thematic): Paul expresses a longing to see the Romans so they may mutually encourage one another—parallels the mutual longing, comfort, and encouragement reported in 2 Cor 7:7.
- Philippians 1:8 (verbal): Paul's explicit statement of longing for the Philippians ('God is my witness how I long for you') echoes the theme of affectionate longing reported by Titus in 2 Cor 7:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- and not only by his coming, but by the consolation with which he was consoled concerning you, as he told of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced the more.
- and not only by his coming, but by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, reporting to us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced still more.
2Cor.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ελυπησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- επιστολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- μεταμελομαι·ει: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- μετεμελομην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- βλεπω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιστολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εκεινη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- ωραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ελυπησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 (verbal): Paul elsewhere describes the same painful correspondence written with much anguish and tears, identifying the ‘severe’ letter that caused sorrow.
- 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 (structural): Describes the punishment and the required forgiveness and comfort of the offender—shows the context and aftermath of the painful letter mentioned in 7:8.
- 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (thematic): Explains the positive outcome of sorrow: godly sorrow produces repentance and salvation, justifying Paul’s causing of grief by the letter.
- 1 Corinthians 5:2-5 (thematic): Paul’s earlier disciplinary instructions in a letter (and their severe tone and intended corrective effect) parallel the use of painful exhortation to bring about repentance and restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not repent—though I did regret it; for I see that the same letter made you sorrowful, though only for a while.
- For even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter made you sorrowful, though only for a while.
2Cor.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- νυν: ADV
- χαιρω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ουχ: PART,neg
- οτι: CONJ
- ελυπηθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- αλλ᾽οτι: CONJ
- ελυπηθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- μετανοιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ελυπηθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- κατα: PREP
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- ζημιωθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εξ: PREP
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 7:10 (verbal): Directly parallels and completes v.9's thought: contrasts 'godly sorrow' that produces repentance and salvation with worldly sorrow that does not—closely echoing the idea that their sorrow was 'according to God.'
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 (structural): Earlier in the letter Paul describes writing a severe letter out of 'affliction and anguish of heart' with many tears; provides the immediate contextual background for the sorrow that led to repentance in 7:9.
- Psalm 51:17 (allusion): Speaks of a 'broken and contrite heart' as the acceptable sacrifice to God; resonates with the concept of godly sorrow/contrition that leads to repentance in 2 Cor 7:9.
- Luke 22:62 (thematic): Peter 'wept bitterly' after denying Jesus and is later restored—an example of penitential sorrow that precedes repentance and restoration, paralleling the experiential pattern in 2 Cor 7:9.
- Hebrews 12:11 (thematic): States that discipline is painful but produces 'peaceable fruit of righteousness' for those trained by it—parallels the idea that sorrow/discipline can yield positive spiritual results (repentance, benefit rather than loss).
Alternative generated candidates
- Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to God, that you might suffer no loss at our hands.
- Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance; for you were made sorry according to God, so that you suffered no loss from us in anything.
2Cor.7.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- κατα: PREP
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λυπη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μετανοιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- σωτηριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αμεταμελητον: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- εργαζεται·η: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λυπη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- θανατον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κατεργαζεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 2:37-38 (thematic): The crowd is 'cut to the heart' and asks what to do; Peter calls them to repent and be saved—illustrates godly sorrow producing repentance and salvation.
- Luke 22:62 (thematic): Peter 'wept bitterly' after denying Jesus but later is restored—contrasts despairing/worldly sorrow with sorrow that leads to repentance and restoration.
- Matthew 27:3-5 (thematic): Judas's remorse ends in suicide (death) rather than true repentance—an example of worldly sorrow producing death rather than salvation.
- Psalm 51:17 (verbal): David's 'broken and contrite heart' language parallels the idea that humble, godly sorrow is acceptable to God and effects restoration.
- 1 John 1:9 (thematic): Confession and repentance bring forgiveness and cleansing—echoes the promise that repentance (born of godly sorrow) leads to salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, without regret; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
- For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation without regret; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
2Cor.7.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδου: PART
- γαρ: PART
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κατα: PREP
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λυπηθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- ποσην: ADV
- κατειργασατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- σπουδην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- απολογιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- αγανακτησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- φοβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- επιποθησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- ζηλον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- εκδικησιν·εν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- συνεστησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- αγνους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πραγματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul contrasts worldly sorrow with godly sorrow and explains that godly sorrow produces repentance and practical effects — vv.8-10 set up the list of responses in v.11.
- Psalm 51:17 (allusion): The motif of contrition leading to inward purity echoes David’s ‘a broken and contrite heart’ as the true sacrifice God desires, paralleling the purifying outcome in 2 Cor 7:11.
- James 4:8-10 (thematic): Calls for drawing near to God, cleansing, mourning and humility (‘humble yourselves… mourn and weep’)—a picture of repentance and moral cleansing like the fruits of godly sorrow in 2 Cor 7:11.
- Acts 3:19 (thematic): Peter’s summons to ‘repent…and be converted’ with promise of refreshment links repentance’s turning effect to the salutary results Paul attributes to godly sorrow.
- Luke 22:62 (thematic): Peter’s bitter weeping after denial illustrates personal godly sorrow that leads to repentance and restoration, echoing the transformative emotions and actions listed in 2 Cor 7:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what carefulness, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what vindication— in every way you proved yourselves blameless in the matter.
- For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you: what diligence, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! In everything you proved yourselves pure in the matter.
2Cor.7.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αρα: PART
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- εγραψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουχ: PART,neg
- ενεκεν: PREP,gen
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αδικησαντος: VERB,aor,act,ptc,gen,m,sg
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ενεκεν: PREP,gen
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αδικηθεντος: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,gen,m,sg
- αλλ᾽ενεκεν: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- φανερωθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- σπουδην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- υπερ: PREP
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Cor 7:8-11 (structural): Immediate context: Paul explains that his previous severe letter produced godly sorrow and repentance, showing the earnestness (σπουδὴ) and proving the Corinthians' concern toward him.
- 2 Cor 2:6-11 (structural): Same episode about the offending brother: Paul describes the punishment by the majority and urges forgiveness and reconciliation—background for why he wrote and for revealing the church's care.
- 1 Cor 5:2-5 (thematic): Example of apostolic corrective action and disciplinary writing aimed at communal purity and ultimate restoration—parallels motive of writing to address wrongdoing for the sake of the church's welfare.
- Gal 6:1 (thematic): Instruction to restore a person overtaken in a fault with gentleness: echoes the pastoral aim behind correction—to restore and disclose genuine repentance, not to punish vindictively.
- 1 Cor 4:5 (verbal): Paul's appeal to final divine judgment ('then each will receive praise from God') parallels the present verse's formula 'in the sight of God'—both frame human actions and motives as ultimately revealed before God.
Alternative generated candidates
- So although I wrote to you, it was not for the one who did the wrong, nor for the one wronged, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you before God.
- So although I wrote to you, it was not for the one who did the wrong, nor for the one who suffered the wrong, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you before God.
2Cor.7.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- παρακεκλημεθα: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- Επι: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρακλησει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- περισσοτερως: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- εχαρημεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χαρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Τιτου: PROPN,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- αναπεπαυται: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- υμων·: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Cor 7:6-7 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul speaks of God’s comfort and the resulting encouragement and joy—same vocabulary of consolation (παρακαλέω/παράκλησις) and joy that appears in v.13.
- 2 Cor 2:12-13 (structural): Related travel/mission context: Paul describes distress because Titus did not meet him, which sets up the relief and joy when Titus later brought good news (cf. the comfort of Titus’ spirit in 7:13).
- 2 Cor 7:9-10 (verbal): Close thematic continuation: contrasts godly sorrow leading to repentance and joy with mere worldly sorrow—part of the same argumentative unit explaining why Paul rejoices over Titus’ restored spirit.
- 1 Thess 3:6-7 (thematic): Paulic parallel: Paul rejoices and is comforted by a fellow worker’s report about the believers (Timothy in Thessalonica; Titus in Corinth)—both passages link news from an envoy to the strengthening/refreshing of Paul’s spirit.
- Philemon 1:7 (thematic): Similar language of joy and consolation: Paul speaks of receiving great joy and encouragement from the love shown by the recipient, paralleling the motif of personal comfort and joy derived from others’ faithful conduct (cf. Titus’ comforting report).
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore we were comforted; and besides our own comfort we rejoiced still more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
- Therefore we were comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced still more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
2Cor.7.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- υπερ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- κεκαυχημαι: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- κατησχυνθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- αλλ᾽ως: ADV
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- αληθεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ελαλησαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουτως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- καυχησις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- Τιτου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αληθεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εγενηθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 (verbal): Both passages stress Paul's consistency and truthfulness in his words—'as God is faithful, our word toward you was not Yes and No'—paralleling 'we spoke all things to you in truth.'
- 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (structural): Contains extended material about Titus and the collection; like 7:14, it defends Titus' integrity and presents him as proof of Paul's faithful ministry and boasting being vindicated.
- Galatians 2:1-3 (allusion): Mentions Titus's presence with Paul in the context of Gentile mission; connects to the role of Titus in corroborating Paul's actions and ministry referenced in 2 Cor 7:14.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11-12 (thematic): Paul defends his apostolic authority and boasting by appeal to observable proof—'the signs of an apostle were wrought among you'—echoing the theme of boasting being validated in 7:14.
- 1 Corinthians 9:2 (thematic): Paul appeals to the Corinthians themselves as the proof of his apostleship—'are you not my work in the Lord?'—a parallel motif of boasting grounded in verifiable results, like the vindication mentioned in 7:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if I have boasted anything to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved true.
- For if I have boasted anything to him about you, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things to you before God, so our boasting to Titus also proved to be the truth.
2Cor.7.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- σπλαγχνα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- περισσοτερως: ADV
- εις: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αναμιμνησκομενου: VERB,pres,mid,part,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- υπακοην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- μετα: PREP
- φοβου: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- τρομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εδεξασθε: VERB,aor,mid,ind,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:12 (verbal): Uses the distinctive phrase 'fear and trembling' in connection with active obedience—paralleling the moral/attitudinal description of the Corinthians' reception.
- Ephesians 6:5 (verbal): Employs 'with fear and trembling' about obedient behavior (bondservants to masters), echoing the same language linking obedience and reverent attitude.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16-17 (structural): Same letter and context: praises Titus' eagerness and God's disposition in Titus toward the Corinthians—directly related to Paul’s comment here about Titus' affection because of their obedience.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (thematic): Speaks of the Thessalonians' receptive acceptance of Paul's message 'as God's word' and resulting obedience—a thematic parallel about how a community receives and obeys apostolic ministry.
Alternative generated candidates
- And his affection for you is greater; he has more comfort because of you, remembering the obedience of you all—how with fear and trembling you received him.
- His affection for you is even more abundant, because he remembers the obedience of you all—how with fear and trembling you welcomed him.
2Cor.7.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χαιρω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- θαρρω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Romans 15:14 (verbal): Paul uses the same idea and Greek vocabulary of being confident/satisfied about a congregation (πεποιθὼς/πεπιστευκὼς) — a close verbal parallel to 'I am confident in you.'
- 2 Corinthians 7:4 (verbal): Earlier in the same chapter Paul expresses joy/pride and confidence in the Corinthian believers; this verse echoes and closes that theme within the letter.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (thematic): Paul speaks of the church as his hope, joy, and crown of boasting — the same pastoral motif of rejoicing and confidence in a congregation’s standing before the Lord.
- Philippians 1:25-26 (thematic): Paul affirms his confidence that the believers’ progress and joy in the faith will abound, paralleling the motif of rejoicing in and confidence about the churches’ faithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- I rejoice, for I have confidence in you in everything.
- I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you all.
Receive us; we have wronged no one, corrupted no one, defrauded no one.
I do not say this to make you ashamed; for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die with us and to live with us.
Great is my boldness of speech toward you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
For when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side—fights without, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted concerning you, when he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more.
For though I caused you sorrow by the letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it; for I perceive that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance; for you were grieved according to God, that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, without regret; but worldly sorrow produces death.
For behold what earnestness this godly sorrow worked in you: a zeal to set things right, a readiness to clear yourselves, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vindication— in every respect you proved yourselves blameless in the matter. So although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of the one who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who had been wronged, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be known to you before God.
Therefore we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed; for as we spoke all things to him in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved true. And his affection toward you is even greater, because he remembered the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
I rejoice, because I have confidence in you in everything.