II CORINTHIANS 7

This chapter can be outlined as follows:

    A. Paul boasts in the Corinthians (7:2-5)

    “I have great pride in you”

            B. Paul is comforted (7:5-12)

    A'. Paul boasts in the Corinthians (7:13-16)

    “I have complete confidence in you”

The root Greek word for “console/consolation” appears exactly seven times in this chapter. Supporting evidence for such a three-fold division is seen in the vocabulary unique to each literary unit.

Words appearing only in A and A' include “boast,” “heart(s)” and panta (“all/every”). Section B contains “grieve/grief” exactly seven times; “eager longing” twice; “zeal” four times; and “earnestness” twice. The phrase “on behalf of” in vv. 7 and 12 serves as an inclusio for B.

7:2 Hughes states that “it seems likely that it is in fact a three-fold repudiation of charges which had been made against him, and the tenor of which had been conveyed by Titus when he and Paul met in Macedonia (cf. vv. 5ff).”

7:2-3 The phrase “have said before” probably refers back to 6:11-13, according to Clines.

7:3 The word die precedes live “to emphasize this bond with the Corinthians through identification with Christ's death and life.” (Wann) Other explanations have been given for this order by different scholars.

7:4 The themes of boasting, affliction and consolation were first introduced in 1:3-7.

7:5-13a Clines and others note that these verses continue the story of Paul's trip to Macedonia (see 2:13-14).

7:5 See Acts 20 for more background information.

7:6 The Greek word alla, translated as “not only” or “what,” appears six times in this verse. Hughes says that this repetition “powerfully conveys the impression that Paul is at this moment writing in a mood of exalted delight.”

7:7 The emphasis on their response is seen in the three-fold repetition of “your,” as pointed out by several scholars.

“Previously the longing, lamentation and eagerness had been Paul's, and it was a delight to his emissary to find similar feelings in the Corinthians.” (Plummer)

7:8 Hughes feels “it is both reasonable and satisfactory to identify the letter” mentioned here and in 2:1-4 with I Corinthians. Others such as Tasker disagree and think that it was a letter of which we have no copy.

7:9 “It was not their sorrow but the fruit of their sorrow that gave him joy.” (Clines)

7:10 See the contrast between Peter (godly sorrow in Matthew 26:75) and Judas (worldly sorrow in Matthew 27:3-5). Hillyer explains the difference between the two as follows: “Worldly grief is merely remorse; it has no place for hope, forgiveness, or grace and simply produces death and despair because it cannot result in positive action.”

7:11 Porter: “Although Paul may be referring here to fear of God, the context of Paul's commendation of the Corinthians' change of heart makes it likely he is referring to their fear of him as an apostle, whether as God's comforter or punisher.”

7:12 If the harsh letter referred to I Corinthians, then “the one who did the wrong” was the man mentioned in I Corinthians 5:1-2 who committed incest. But if it refers to an unknown letter instead, then the one who was wronged was perhaps Paul himself and we have no information on the one who wronged him. (Wan)

Several commentators point out that the thought here is best expressed by translating the repeated phrase as “it was not entirely on account of the one...”

7:13 A double comparative is used here by Paul meaning literally “more overflowing more.” (Barth and Blanke)

7:15 “Titus had grown to love the Corinthians during his stay.” (Hillyer)   Hodge explains the phrase fear and trembling as “solicitous anxiety lest love should fail in doing all that is required.”

7:16 It is generally felt that this chapter was intended to prepare the Corinthians for the appeal to aid the Jerusalem church which he makes in chapters 8-9.