2 Corinthians 7:11
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 34
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αὐτὸ
selfsame thing
G846
αὐτὸ
selfsame thing
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
6 of 34
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
θεὸν
a godly sort
G2316
θεὸν
a godly sort
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 34
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
λυπηθῆναι
ye sorrowed
G3076
λυπηθῆναι
ye sorrowed
Strong's:
G3076
Word #:
8 of 34
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
πόσην
what
G4214
πόσην
what
Strong's:
G4214
Word #:
10 of 34
interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)
κατειργάσατο
it wrought
G2716
κατειργάσατο
it wrought
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
11 of 34
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
σπουδήν
carefulness
G4710
σπουδήν
carefulness
Strong's:
G4710
Word #:
13 of 34
"speed", i.e., (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness
ἀλλ'
yea
G235
ἀλλ'
yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
14 of 34
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀλλ'
yea
G235
ἀλλ'
yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
16 of 34
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀλλ'
yea
G235
ἀλλ'
yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
18 of 34
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀλλ'
yea
G235
ἀλλ'
yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
20 of 34
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀλλ'
yea
G235
ἀλλ'
yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
22 of 34
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ζῆλον
what zeal
G2205
ζῆλον
what zeal
Strong's:
G2205
Word #:
23 of 34
properly, heat, i.e., (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of god), or
ἀλλ'
yea
G235
ἀλλ'
yea
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
24 of 34
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
συνεστήσατε
things ye have approved
G4921
συνεστήσατε
things ye have approved
Strong's:
G4921
Word #:
28 of 34
to set together, i.e., (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to co
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
29 of 34
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἁγνοὺς
clear
G53
ἁγνοὺς
clear
Strong's:
G53
Word #:
30 of 34
properly, clean, i.e., (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect
Cross References
Romans 14:18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.2 Timothy 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.Psalms 2:11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.2 Corinthians 7:7And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Hebrews 4:1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.Acts 17:16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.Ephesians 4:26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:Ephesians 5:11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.Romans 11:20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Historical Context
The specific 'matter' (pragma) likely involved the offender from 2:5-11, possibly the incestuous man (1 Cor 5) or another challenger to Paul's authority. The church's initial complicity or passivity made them culpable. Their seven-fold response—earnestness, defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, discipline—demonstrated comprehensive repentance. Ancient shame-honor cultures avoided public admission of wrongdoing; the Corinthians' transparency showed gospel transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- Which of these seven evidences of repentance am I most tempted to skip when convicted of sin?
- How does 'indignation' toward my own sin differ from worldly self-hatred or shame?
- What does the church's corporate repentance teach about communal responsibility for tolerating sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you—Idou gar auto touto to kata Theon lypēthēnai posēn kateirgasato hymin spoudēn (ἰδοὺ γὰρ αὐτὸ τοῦτο τὸ κατὰ θεὸν λυπηθῆναι πόσην κατειργάσατο ὑμῖν σπουδήν, "behold this very thing—your godly grief—what earnestness it produced in you"). Spoudē (σπουδή, "earnestness/diligence/zeal") implies urgent action, not passive remorse. Paul lists seven evidences of genuine repentance:
In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter—En panti synestēsate heautous hagnous einai en tō pragmati (ἐν παντὶ συνεστήσατε ἑαυτοὺς ἁγνοὺς εἶναι ἐν τῷ πράγματι, "in everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure/innocent in the matter"). Hagnous (ἁγνούς, "pure/innocent") doesn't mean they never sinned but that they dealt with sin decisively when confronted.
Repentance restores moral standing.