King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 7:11 Mean?

2 Corinthians 7:11 in the King James Version says “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clear... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

2 Corinthians 7:11 · KJV


Context

9

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. after: or, according to God

10

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

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.

12

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

13

Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in youIdou 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:

(1) Apologian (ἀπολογίαν, "clearing of yourselves/defense")—not self-justification but vindication through corrective action. (2) Aganaktēsin (ἀγανάκτησιν, "indignation")—moral outrage at sin they previously tolerated. (3) Phobon (φόβον, "fear")—holy reverence for God and perhaps concern for Paul's apostolic authority. (4) Epipothēsin (ἐπιπόθησιν, "vehement desire/longing")—restored affection for Paul. (5) Zēlon (ζῆλον, "zeal")—passionate commitment to righteousness. (6) Ekdikēsin (ἐκδίκησιν, "revenge/punishment")—church discipline against the offender (2:6).

In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matterEn 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which of these seven evidences of repentance am I most tempted to skip when convicted of sin?
  2. How does 'indignation' toward my own sin differ from worldly self-hatred or shame?
  3. What does the church's corporate repentance teach about communal responsibility for tolerating sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
ἰδού,1 of 34

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

γὰρ2 of 34

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

αὐτὸ3 of 34

selfsame thing

G846

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

τοῦτο4 of 34

this

G5124

that thing

τὸ5 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατὰ6 of 34

after

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

θεὸν7 of 34

a godly sort

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

λυπηθῆναι8 of 34

ye sorrowed

G3076

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

ὑμᾶς,9 of 34

that

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

πόσην10 of 34

what

G4214

interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)

κατειργάσατο11 of 34

it wrought

G2716

to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion

ὑμῖν12 of 34

in you

G5213

to (with or by) you

σπουδήν13 of 34

carefulness

G4710

"speed", i.e., (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness

ἀλλ'14 of 34

yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἀπολογίαν15 of 34

what clearing of yourselves

G627

a plea ("apology")

ἀλλ'16 of 34

yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἀγανάκτησιν17 of 34

what indignation

G24

indignation

ἀλλ'18 of 34

yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

φόβον19 of 34

what fear

G5401

alarm or fright

ἀλλ'20 of 34

yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐπιπόθησιν21 of 34

what vehement desire

G1972

a longing for

ἀλλ'22 of 34

yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ζῆλον23 of 34

what zeal

G2205

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'24 of 34

yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐκδίκησιν25 of 34

what revenge

G1557

vindication, retribution

ἐν26 of 34

! In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

παντὶ27 of 34

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

συνεστήσατε28 of 34

things ye have approved

G4921

to set together, i.e., (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to co

ἑαυτοὺς29 of 34

yourselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἁγνοὺς30 of 34

clear

G53

properly, clean, i.e., (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect

εἶναι31 of 34

to be

G1511

to exist

ἐν32 of 34

! In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ33 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πράγματι34 of 34

this matter

G4229

a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 7:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 7:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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