Teks -- 2 Corinthians 7:11 (NET)

7:11 For see what this very thing, this sadness as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - This selfsame thing

This selfsame thing ( auto touto ).

"This very thing,""the being made sorry according to God"(to kata theon lupēthēnai , articular first aorist passive infinitive with which auto touto agrees and the proleptic subject of the verb kateirgasato .

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - Earnest care

Earnest care ( spoudēn ).

Diligence, from speudō , to hasten. Cf. Rom 12:11.

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - Yea

Yea ( alla ).

Not adversative use of alla , but copulative as is common (half dozen examples here).

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - Clearing of yourselves

Clearing of yourselves ( apologia ).

In the old notion of apologia (self-vindication, self-defence) as in 1Pe 3:15.

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - Indignation

Indignation ( aganaktēsin ).

Old word, only here in N.T. From aganakteo (Mar 10:14, etc.).

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - Avenging

Avenging ( ekdikēsin ).

Late word from ekdikeō , to avenge, to do justice (Luk 18:5; Luk 21:22), vindication from wrong as in Luk 18:7, to secure punishment (1Pe 2:14).

Robertson: 2Co 7:11 - Pure

Pure ( hagnous ).

Kin to hagios (hazō , to reverence), immaculate.

Vincent: 2Co 7:11 - Sorrowed

Sorrowed ( λυπηθῆναι )

Rev., correctly, were made sorry . The verb is in the passive voice, and is so rendered by the A.V. in 2Co 7:9, but, inconsistently, sorrowed in the next clause.

Vincent: 2Co 7:11 - Carefulness

Carefulness ( σπουδήν )

See on diligence , Rom 12:8. Rev., earnest care .

Vincent: 2Co 7:11 - Clearing of yourselves

Clearing of yourselves ( ἀπολογίαν )

See on 1Pe 3:15. Exculpation or self-defense from complicity with the incestuous person by their neglect and refusal to humble themselves.

Vincent: 2Co 7:11 - Indignation

Indignation ( ἀγανάκτησιν )

Only here in the New Testament. Compare the kindred verb ἀγανακτέω to be indignant , Mat 20:24; Mar 10:14, etc.

Vincent: 2Co 7:11 - Revenge

Revenge ( ἐκδίκησιν )

An unfortunate rendering, because of the personal feeling of vindictiveness which attaches to the popular usage. Rev. avenging is little, if any, better. It is rather meting out of justice ; doing justice to all parties . See on Luk 18:3; see on Luk 21:22. The word has, however, the sense of requital (see on Rom 12:19; compare 2Th 1:8), and carries with it, etymologically, the sense of vindication , as Luk 18:7, Luk 18:8. Bengel remarks that the six results of godly sorrow fall into pairs: clearing and indignation relating to the disgrace of the Church; fear and longing (vehement desire) to the apostle; zeal and avenging to the offender.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - How great diligence it wrought in you

Shown in all the following particulars. Yea, clearing of yourselves - Some had been more, some less, faulty; whence arose these various affections. Hence their apologizing and indignation, with respect to themselves; their fear and desire, with respect to the apostle; their zeal and revenge, with respect to the offender, yea, and themselves also.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - Clearing of yourselves

From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - Indignation

That ye had not immediately corrected the offender.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - Fear

Of God's displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - Vehement desire

To see me again.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - Zeal

For the glory of God, and the soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge - Ye took a kind of holy revenge upon yourselves, being scarce able to forgive yourselves.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - In all things ye

As a church.

Wesley: 2Co 7:11 - Have approved yourselves to be pure

That is, free from blame, since ye received my letter.

JFB: 2Co 7:11

Confirmation of 2Co 7:10 from the Corinthians' own experience.

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - carefulness

Solicitude, literally, "diligence"; opposed to their past negligence in the matter.

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - in you

Greek "for you."

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - yea

Not only "carefulness" or diligence, but also "clearing of yourselves," namely, to me by Titus: anxiety to show you disapproved of the deed.

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - indignation

Against the offender.

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - fear

Of the wrath of God, and of sinning any more [SCLATER and CALVIN]; fear of Paul [GROTIUS], (1Co 4:2, 1Co 4:19-21).

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - vehement desire

Longing for restoration to Paul's approval [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. "Fear" is in spite of one's self. "Longing desire" is spontaneous, and implies strong love and an aspiration for correction [CALVIN]. "Desire" for the presence of Paul, as he had given them the hope of it (1Co 4:19; 1Co 16:5) [GROTIUS and ESTIUS].

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - zeal

For right and for God's honor against what is wrong. Or, "for the good of the soul of the offender" [BENGEL].

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - revenge

Translate, "Exacting of punishment" (1Co 5:2-3). Their "carefulness" was exhibited in the six points just specified: "clearing of themselves," and "indignation" in relation to themselves; "fear" and "vehement desire" in respect to the apostle; "zeal" and "revenge" in respect to the offender [BENGEL]; (compare 2Co 7:7).

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - In all

The respects just stated.

JFB: 2Co 7:11 - clear

Greek, "pure," namely, from complicity in the guilty deed. "Approved yourselves," Greek, "commended yourselves." Whatever suspicion of complicity rested on you (1Co 5:2, 1Co 5:6) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.

Clarke: 2Co 7:11 - What carefulness it wrought in you

What carefulness it wrought in you - Carefulness of obeying my directions, 2Co 7:15; yea, what clearing of yourselves from guilt by inflicting censures on the guilty person, and putting away evil from among you, 1Co 5:13; yea, what indignation against him who had dishonored his profession, and defiled the Church; yea, what fear of my displeasure, and the rod which I threatened, 1Co 4:21; yea, what vehement desire to rectify what was amiss in this matter, 2Co 7:7; yea, what zeal for me; yea, what revenge in punishing the delinquent. See Whitby

Clarke: 2Co 7:11 - In all things, etc.

In all things, etc. - In the whole of your conduct in this affair since ye have received my letter, ye have approved yourselves to be clear, ἁγνους ; not only to be clear of contumacy and obstinate persistence in your former conduct, but to have done all in the compass of your power to rectify the abuses which had crept in among you. The Corinthians were not clear, i.e. innocent or void of blame in the fact, but they were clear of all blame in their endeavors to remove the evil.

Calvin: 2Co 7:11 - What earnest desire it produced in you // Yea, what clearing of yourselves // Yea, what indignation // Fear // Yea, what revenge

11.What earnest desire it produced in you I shall not enter into any dispute as to whether the things that Paul enumerates are effects of repentance, or belong to it, or are preparatory to it, as all this is unnecessary for understanding Paul’s design, for he simply proves the repentance of the Corinthians from its signs, or accompaniments. At the same time he makes sorrow according to God to be the source of all these things, inasmuch as they spring from it — which is assuredly the case; for when we have begun to feel self-dissatisfaction, we are afterwards stirred up to seek after the other things.

What is meant by earnest desire, we may understand from what is opposed to it; for so long as there is no apprehension of sin, we lie drowsy and inactive. Hence drowsiness or carelessness, or unconcern, ⁶⁴⁶ stands opposed to that earnest desire, that he makes mention of. Accordingly, earnest desire means simply an eager and active assiduity in the correcting of what is amiss, and in the amendment of life.

Yea, what clearing of yourselves Erasmus having rendered it satisfaction, ignorant persons, misled by the ambiguity of the term, have applied it to popish satisfactions, whereas Paul employs the term ἀπολογίαν , ( defense.) It is on this account that I have preferred to retain the word defensionem , which the Old Interpreter had made use of. ⁶⁴⁷ It is, however, to be observed, that it is a kind of defense that consists rather in supplication for pardon, than in extenuation of sin. As a son, who is desirous to clear himself to his father, does not enter upon a regular pleading of his cause, but by acknowledging his fault excuses himself, rather in the spirit of a suppliant, than in a tone of confidence, hypocrites, also, excuse themselves — nay more, they haughtily defend themselves, but it is rather in the way of disputing with God, than of returning to favor with him; and should any one prefer the word excusationem , ( excuse,) I do not object to it; because the meaning will amount to the same thing, that the Corinthians were prompted to clear themselves, whereas previously they cared not what Paul thought of them.

Yea, what indignation ⁶⁴⁸ This disposition, also, is attendant on sacred sorrow — that the sinner is indignant against his vices, and even against himself, as also all that are actuated by a right zeal ⁶⁴⁹ are indignant, as often as they see that God is offended. This disposition, however, is more intense than sorrow. For the first step is, that evil be displeasing to us. The second is, that, being inflamed with anger, we press hard upon ourselves, so that our consciences may be touched to the quick. It may, however, be taken here to mean the indignation, with which the Corinthians had been inflamed against the sins of one or a few, whom they had previously spared. Thus they repented of their concurrence or connivance.

Fear is what arises from an apprehension of divine judgment, while the offender thinks — “Mark it well, an account must be rendered by thee, and what wilt thou advance in the presence of so great a judge?” For, alarmed by such a consideration, he begins to tremble.

As, however, the wicked themselves are sometimes touched with an alarm of this nature, he adds desire This disposition we know to be more of a voluntary nature than fear, for we are often afraid against our will, but we never desire but from inclination. Hence, as they had dreaded punishment on receiving Paul’s admonition, so they eagerly aimed at amendment.

But what are we to understand by zeal? There can be no doubt that he intended a climax. Hence it means more than desire Now we may understand by it, that they stirred up each other in a spirit of mutual rivalry. It is simpler, however, to understand it as meaning, that every one, with great fervor of zeal, aimed to give evidence of his repentance. Thus zeal is intensity of desire.

Yea, what revenge What we have said as to indignation, must be applied also to revenge; for the wickedness which they had countenanced by their connivance and indulgence, they had afterwards shown themselves rigorous in avenging. They had for some time tolerated incest; but, on being admonished by Paul, they had not merely ceased to countenance him, but had been strict reprovers in chastening him, — this was the revenge that was meant. As, however, we ought to punish sins wherever they are, ⁶⁵⁰ and not only so, but should begin more especially with ourselves, there is something farther meant in what the Apostle says here, for he speaks of the signs of repentance. There is, among others, this more particularly — that, by punishing sins, we anticipate, in a manner, the judgment of God, as he teaches elsewhere, If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged by the Lord. (1Co 11:31.) We are not, however, to infer from this, that mankind, by taking vengeance upon themselves, compensate to God for the punishment due to him, ⁶⁵¹ so that they redeem themselves from his hand. The case stands thus — that, as it is the design of God by chastising us, to arouse us from our carelessness, that, being reminded of his displeasure, we may be on our guard for the future, when the sinner himself is beforehand in inflicting punishment of his own accord, the effect is, that he no longer stands in need of such an admonition from God.

But it is asked, whether the Corinthians had an eye to Paul, or to God, in this revenge, as well as in the zeal, and desire, and the rest. ⁶⁵² I answer, that all these things are, under all circumstances, attendant upon repentance, but there is a difference in the case of an individual sinning secretly before God, or openly before the world. If a person’s sin is secret, it is enough if he has this disposition in the sight of God; on the other hand, where the sin is open, there is required besides an open manifestation of repentance. Thus the Corinthians, who had sinned openly and to the great offense of the good, required to give evidence of their repentance by these tokens.

TSK: 2Co 7:11 - that // carefulness // clearing // indignation // fear // vehement // zeal // revenge // approved

that : 2Co 7:9; Isa 66:2; Zec 12:10-14; 1Co 5:2

carefulness : 2Co 7:7; 1Co 12:25; Tit 3:8

clearing : Gen 44:6, Gen 44:7; 1Co 5:13; Eph 5:11; 1Ti 5:21, 1Ti 5:22

indignation : 2Sa 12:5-7; Neh 5:6-13, Neh 13:25; Job 42:6; Jer 31:18-20; Dan 6:14; Mar 3:5; Eph 4:26

fear : 2Co 7:1; Psa 2:11; Pro 14:16, Pro 28:14; Rom 11:20; Phi 2:12; Heb 4:1, Heb 12:15, Heb 12:16; 1Pe 1:17; Jud 1:23

vehement : Psa 38:9, Psa 42:1, Psa 130:6, Psa 145:19; Son 8:6; Isa 26:8; 1Pe 2:2

zeal : 2Co 9:2; Psa 69:9, Psa 119:139; Joh 2:17; Act 17:16

revenge : Psa 35:13; Mat 5:29, Mat 5:30; Mar 9:43-48; Rev 3:19

approved : 2Co 6:4, 2Co 13:7; Rom 14:18; 2Ti 2:15

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Co 7:11 - What carefulness it wrought in you! // What clearing of yourselves! // What indignation! // What fear! // What vehement desire! // What zeal! // What revenge! // In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter

The apostle having showed the mischievous effects of worldly sorrow, all which he comprehended under the word death, here showeth the blessed effects of that sorrow which is according to God.

What carefulness it wrought in you! The first he mentioneth is great carefulness, both to make our peace with God for our former violations of his law, (using all means he hath prescribed and directed thereunto), and also to preserve our peace, by avoiding the like breaches for the time to come.

What clearing of yourselves! The Corinthians’ sorrow might work in some of them a clearing or purging themselves of that guilt which other members of that church had incurred. But there is another clearing of ourselves, which true repentance worketh, not by denying the fact, but by confessing it, with taking shame to ourselves; which, though it be not a clearing of a person from the fact, yet, through Divine grace, joined with a reformation, it is a clearing him from the guilt thereof.

What indignation! What a displeasure against yourselves for your follies!

What fear! Not so much of the wrath of God, as lest you should again fall into the like temptations, and be overcome by them.

What vehement desire! What hearty prayers to God, that for the time to come you might be kept from the like temptations!

What zeal! What warmth and great degrees of all sanctified affections; love to God, hatred of sin, fear of offending God, desire to please him!

What revenge! What acts of discipline, fasting, denying of yourselves in some lawful things wherein you may have offended, or the too free use of which may have been to you occasions of offending.

In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter by these acts, though some of you have been to be blamed, yet the body of you have showed yourselves clear of this matter; or though all of you have been formerly too guilty of some things I have charged you with, yet you have cleared yourselves both to God, who imputeth no sin to him that confesseth his sin and forsaketh it, and to me, who am abundantly satisfied with your declared sorrow, repentance, and reformation.

Gill: 2Co 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

For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort,.... The apostle proceeds to describe godly sorrow by its effects, which are so many evidences of the sincerity and genuineness of it; some of the things mentioned are peculiar to the case of the Corinthians, and others common to evangelical repentance in any:

what carefulness it wrought in you; to remove the incestuous person from communion with them, which they were very negligent of before; to sin no more after this sort; to keep up, for the future, a more strict and regular discipline in the church; to perform good works in general, and not to offend God:

yea, what clearing of yourselves; not by denying the fact, or lessening, or defending it; but by acknowledging their neglect, praying it might be overlooked, declaring that they were not partakers of the sin; nor did they approve of it, but disliked and abhorred it, and were highly pleased with the method the apostle advised to:

yea, what indignation; not against the person of the offender, but against his sin; and not his only but their own too, in not appearing against him, and taking notice of him sooner; and particularly that they should act in such a manner, as to deserve the just rebuke of the apostle:

yea, what fear; not of hell and damnation, as in wicked men and devils, who repent not; but of God, and of grieving his ministers; and lest the corruption should spread in the church, as the apostle had suggested, "a little leaven leavens the whole lump";

yea, what vehement desire; of seeing the apostle; of giving him full satisfaction; of behaving in quite another manner for the time to come; and to be kept from evil, and to honour God by a becoming conversation:

yea, what zeal; for God and his glory; for restoring the discipline of the church: for the doctrines of the Gospel; for the ordinances of Christ's house; for the supporting the character of the apostle, and other ministers of the word, against the false apostles:

yea, what revenge; not of persons in a private way, vengeance belongs to God; but of all disobedience, particularly that of the unhappy criminal among them, which has shown in the punishment inflicted on him by many:

in all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter; of the incestuous person: it appeared plainly that they did not consent to, and approve of his sin; and though at first they were unconcerned about it, did not mourn over it as they ought, nor make such haste to deal with the offender as they should, yet having discovered true repentance for their sloth, negligence, and indulgence, they are acquitted, and stand, in the apostle's view of them, as if they had not offended.