2 Corinthians 7:10

2 Corinthians 7:10 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
• New Living Translation (NLT)For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

Context of 2 Corinthians 7:10

8Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.

2 Corinthians 7:10 word by word

ἡ γὰρ κατὰ θεὸν λύπη μετάνοιαν εἰς σωτηρίαν ἀμεταμέλητον ἐργάζεται, ἡ δὲ τοῦ κόσμου λύπη θάνατον κατεργάζεται.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ·κατάkata · according toG2596
• godlyθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• sorrowλύπηlupē · griefG3077
• workethκατεργάζομαιkatergazomai · to workout/produceG2716
• repentanceμετάνοιαmetanoia · repentanceG3341
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• salvationσωτηρίαsōtēria · salvationG4991
• not to be repented ofἀμεταμέλητοςametamelētos · irrevocableG278
• butδέde · thenG1161
• of the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• deathθάνατοςthanatos · deathG2288

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 7:10

• 2 Corinthians 12:21I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
• 2 Samuel 12:13Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.
• 1 Kings 8:47and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly’;
• Job 33:27And they will go to others and say, ‘I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved.
• Jeremiah 31:9They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.
• Ezekiel 7:16The fugitives who escape will flee to the mountains. Like doves of the valleys, they will all moan, each for their own sins.
• Ezekiel 18:27But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.
• Jonah 3:8But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
• Matthew 21:28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
• Matthew 26:75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
• Luke 15:10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
• Luke 18:13“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
• Acts 3:19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
• Acts 11:18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
• 2 Timothy 2:25Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
• Genesis 4:13Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 7:10

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10For godly sorrow - That which has the breach of God's holy law for its object. Worketh repentance - A thorough change of mind unto salvation, because the person who feels it cannot rest till he finds pardon through the mercy of God. But the sorrow of the world worketh death - Sorrow for lost goods, lost friends, death of relatives, etc., when it is poignant and deep, produces diseases, increases those that already exist, and often leads men to lay…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10For godly sorrow - “Sorrow according to God” ( ̔ ̀ ̀ ̀ ́ Hē gar kata Theon lupē). That is, such sorrow as has respect to God, or is according to his will, or as leads the soul to him. This is a very important expression in regard to true repentance, and shows the exact nature of that sorrow which is connected with a return to God. The phrase may be regarded as implying the following things: (1) Such sorrow as God approves, or such as is suitable to. or…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-11Verses 5-11 There were fightings without, or continual contentions with, and opposition from Jews and Gentiles; and there were fears within, and great concern for such as had embraced the Christian faith. But God comforts those who are cast down. We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, to God, as the author of all the consolation and good we enjoy. Sorrow according to the will of God, tending to the glory of God, and wrought by the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10There are two types of sorrow: Worldly sorrow, which does not include repentance, leads to spiritual death (for example, see Matthew 27:3–6; Hebrews 12:16–17). Sorrow that turns us away from sin leads to salvation, as demonstrated when the church in Corinth responded positively to Paul's criticism.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. worketh ... worketh--In the best Greek reading the translation is, "worketh (simply) ... worketh out." "Sorrow" is not repentance, but, where it is "godly," "worketh" it; that is, contributes or tends to it (the same Greek word is in Ro 13:10). The "sorrow of the world" (that is, such as is felt by the worldly) "worketh out," as its result at last, (eternal) death (the same Greek verb is in 2Co 4:17; also see on 2Co 4:17). repentance ... not to be…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 7:10

• Repentance
• Righteousness
• Salvation
• Sorrow
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Boldness
• Clearing
• Confidence
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Defraud
• Fighting
• Filthiness
• Indignation
• Repentance
• Salvation

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings