King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 7:8 Mean?

2 Corinthians 7:8 in the King James Version says “For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle ha...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.”

2 Corinthians 7:8 · KJV

Context

6

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

7

And 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.

8

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

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.

Read 2 Corinthians 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent—Hoti ei kai elypēsa hymas en tē epistolē, ou metamelomai, ei kai metelomēn (ὅτι εἰ καὶ ἐλύπησα ὑμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἐπιστολῇ, οὐ μεταμέλομαι, εἰ καὶ μετεμελόμην, "although I caused you sorrow with the letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it"). Paul uses metameleomai (μεταμέλεομαι, "to regret") not metanoeō (μετανοέω, "to repent")—he questioned his timing/harshness, not the truth spoken. Elypēsa (ἐλύπησα, "I caused sorrow") from lypeō (λυπέω, "to grieve/pain").

For I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season—Blepō gar hoti hē epistolē ekeinē ei kai pros hōran elypēsen hymas (βλέπω γὰρ ὅτι ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἐκείνη εἰ καὶ πρὸς ὥραν ἐλύπησεν ὑμᾶς, "I see that letter grieved you, though only for a while"). Temporary pain produced lasting gain—a pastoral calculus faithful leaders must embrace. Paul distinguishes method (the letter's severity, which he momentarily regretted) from message (confronting sin, which he never regretted).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'severe letter' (probably lost, though some identify it with 1 Corinthians or chapters 10-13) was delivered by Titus. Paul's anxiety (2:13) about its reception shows even apostles wrestle with doubt after difficult confrontations. His relief that the sorrow was 'for a season' (pros hōran, "for an hour") teaches that godly discipline may cause immediate pain but shouldn't produce permanent estrangement.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have I avoided necessary confrontation because I feared causing 'sorrow,' and what was the long-term cost?
  2. How do I distinguish between godly regret over my tone/timing (which Paul felt) versus compromise on truth (which he rejected)?
  3. If someone's correction causes me temporary sorrow, do I immediately dismiss them or wait to see if the pain produces spiritual fruit?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ὅτι1 of 25

“For”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

εἰ2 of 25
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

καὶ3 of 25
G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐλύπησεν4 of 25

“I made”

G3076

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

ὑμᾶς5 of 25

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐν6 of 25

“with”

G1722

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

τῇ7 of 25
G3588

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

ἐπιστολὴ8 of 25

“a letter”

G1992

a written message

οὐ9 of 25

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μετεμελόμην10 of 25

“I did repent”

G3338

to care afterwards, i.e., regret

εἰ11 of 25
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

καὶ12 of 25
G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μετεμελόμην13 of 25

“I did repent”

G3338

to care afterwards, i.e., regret

βλέπω14 of 25

“I perceive”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

γὰρ15 of 25

“for”

G1063

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

ὅτι16 of 25

“For”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἡ17 of 25
G3588

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

ἐπιστολὴ18 of 25

“a letter”

G1992

a written message

ἐκείνη19 of 25

“the same”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

εἰ20 of 25
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

καὶ21 of 25
G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πρὸς22 of 25

“for”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὥραν23 of 25

“a season”

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ἐλύπησεν24 of 25

“I made”

G3076

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

ὑμᾶς25 of 25

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

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 7:8 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 7:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 3:192 Corinthians 7:11Jeremiah 20:7-9Matthew 26:21-22Hebrews 12:9-11Lamentations 3:32

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