2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Original Language Analysis
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κατὰ
G2596
κατὰ
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
3 of 17
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
θεὸν
godly
G2316
θεὸν
godly
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μετάνοιαν
repentance
G3341
μετάνοιαν
repentance
Strong's:
G3341
Word #:
6 of 17
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κατεργάζεται·
worketh
G2716
κατεργάζεται·
worketh
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
10 of 17
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
of the world
G2889
κόσμου
of the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
14 of 17
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
Cross References
Acts 11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;2 Samuel 12:13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.Luke 18:13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.Luke 15:10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.Jonah 3:10And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.Hebrews 12:17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.Proverbs 17:22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.Jonah 4:9And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.1 Samuel 30:6And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
Historical Context
Ancient Stoicism taught apatheia (freedom from passion)—suppressing grief as weakness. Epicureanism pursued pleasure and avoided pain. Paul presents a third way: embrace appropriate grief (over sin's offense to God) that produces life-giving repentance. The contrast with 'worldly sorrow' may also reference pagan remorse over ritual pollution (fixable through temple ceremonies) versus covenantal repentance requiring transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- How can I identify whether my sorrow over sin is 'godly' (leading to repentance) or 'worldly' (producing only shame, fear, or despair)?
- What sin am I grieving the consequences of rather than its offense against God's holiness?
- How do I counsel others in conviction—toward 'salvation not to be regretted' or toward crushing condemnation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of—Hē gar kata Theon lypē metanoian eis sōtērian ametamelēton katergazetai (ἡ γὰρ κατὰ θεὸν λύπη μετάνοιαν εἰς σωτηρίαν ἀμεταμέλητον κατεργάζεται, "godly sorrow produces repentance unto salvation not to be regretted"). Katergazomai (κατεργάζομαι, "to produce/work out/accomplish") suggests active, effective causation—not mere emotion but transformative power. Ametamelēton (ἀμεταμέλητον, "without regret") modifies either 'repentance' (repentance one never regrets) or 'salvation' (salvation that needs no reversal).
But the sorrow of the world worketh death—Hē de tou kosmou lypē thanaton katergazetai (ἡ δὲ τοῦ κόσμου λύπη θάνατον κατεργάζεται, "worldly sorrow produces death"). Worldly sorrow grieves consequences, not sin's offense against God. It produces despair (Judas, Mt 27:3-5), self-pity, or mere behavior modification without heart change. Godly sorrow drives toward God; worldly sorrow drives away from God. This is Paul's most crucial pastoral distinction: not all conviction leads to life—some grieves itself into spiritual death.