New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 7:10
10For 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.
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.
- New International Version (NIV)Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings 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.
Context of 2 Corinthians 7:10
8I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 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. 11Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 72 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 12:21Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
- 2 Samuel 12:13Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.
- 1 Kings 8:47But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’
- Job 33:27He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it.
- Jeremiah 31:9Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my oldest child.
- Ezekiel 7:16The survivors who escape to the mountains will moan like doves, weeping for their sins.
- Ezekiel 18:27And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives.
- Jonah 3:8People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.
- Matthew 21:28“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
- Matthew 26:75Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
- Luke 15:10In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
- Luke 18:13“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
- Acts 3:19Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
- Acts 11:18When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
- 2 Timothy 2:25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
- Genesis 4:13Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to 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
In the dictionaries
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
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