2 Corinthians 7:9

Authorized King James Version

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Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Original Language Analysis

νῦν Now G3568
νῦν Now
Strong's: G3568
Word #: 1 of 20
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
χαίρω I rejoice G5463
χαίρω I rejoice
Strong's: G5463
Word #: 2 of 20
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
οὐχ not G3756
οὐχ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 3 of 20
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 4 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐλυπήθητε ye sorrowed G3076
ἐλυπήθητε ye sorrowed
Strong's: G3076
Word #: 5 of 20
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
ἀλλ' but G235
ἀλλ' but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 6 of 20
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 7 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐλυπήθητε ye sorrowed G3076
ἐλυπήθητε ye sorrowed
Strong's: G3076
Word #: 8 of 20
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
εἰς to G1519
εἰς to
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 9 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
μετάνοιαν· repentance G3341
μετάνοιαν· repentance
Strong's: G3341
Word #: 10 of 20
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
ἐλυπήθητε ye sorrowed G3076
ἐλυπήθητε ye sorrowed
Strong's: G3076
Word #: 11 of 20
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
γὰρ for G1063
γὰρ for
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 12 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κατὰ after G2596
κατὰ after
Strong's: G2596
Word #: 13 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
θεόν a godly manner G2316
θεόν a godly manner
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 14 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 15 of 20
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 16 of 20
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
μηδενὶ nothing G3367
μηδενὶ nothing
Strong's: G3367
Word #: 17 of 20
not even one (man, woman, thing)
ζημιωθῆτε ye might receive damage G2210
ζημιωθῆτε ye might receive damage
Strong's: G2210
Word #: 18 of 20
to injure, i.e., (reflexively or passively) to experience detriment
ἐξ by G1537
ἐξ by
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 19 of 20
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἡμῶν us G2257
ἡμῶν us
Strong's: G2257
Word #: 20 of 20
of (or from) us

Analysis & Commentary

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance—Nyn chairō, ouch hoti elypēthēte alla hoti elypēthēte eis metanoian (νῦν χαίρω, οὐχ ὅτι ἐλυπήθητε ἀλλ' ὅτι ἐλυπήθητε εἰς μετάνοιαν, "now I rejoice, not that you were grieved but that you were grieved unto repentance"). Paul distinguishes pain as means from repentance as goal. Eis metanoian (εἰς μετάνοιαν)—the preposition indicates purpose/result: sorrow that leads to metanoia (μετάνοια, "change of mind/repentance").

For ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing—Elypēthēte gar kata Theon (ἐλυπήθητε γὰρ κατὰ θεόν, "you were grieved according to God"). Kata Theon means "in a godly way" or "according to God's will." Hina en mēdeni zēmiōthēte ex hēmōn (ἵνα ἐν μηδενὶ ζημιωθῆτε ἐξ ἡμῶν, "that you might suffer loss in nothing from us")—Paul's correction brought gain, not damage. False teachers wound to control; true shepherds wound to heal.

Historical Context

Greek culture valued honor and shame deeply. Public rebuke risked social humiliation and fractured relationships. Paul's letter caused temporary shame but avoided permanent spiritual 'damage' (zēmioō, financial/spiritual loss). The Corinthians' willingness to accept public correction over private compromise demonstrated genuine conversion from pagan honor-codes to gospel values.

Questions for Reflection

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