Second Corinthians 7 Part 2 God Looks On Those Who Have Humble Hearts

Paul's loyal love for the Corinthians reflects Christ's loyal love for us.

2 Corinthians 7:1-3  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2)  Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3)  I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. 

The Holy Spirit guided Paul to constantly remind us of our need to know Jesus Christ and His doctrines because God's promises are the foundation of our hope.

Because we have this great hope we must daily dedicate ourselves to living for the glory of God.

Then, the apostle shared his heart that was full of love and joy for the Corinthian Christians. 

He poured his heart and soul into their lives even though the church had many issues to correct. He always showed them God's will so that they might submit and enjoy a life of blessing.

Paul freely and frankly dealt with their sins and gave needed correctives.

2 Corinthians 7:4-5  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5)  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 

Paul felt completely free to be open and honest with the Corinthians. 

He could speak frankly with them about their sins. With cheerful courage Paul  could exhort them to follow hard after Christ.

The idea is that he would not hold anything back so that sin could be addressed and the people set back on track spiritually.

In a good sense, Paul had spiritual pride and great love for the Corinthians. 

He spent about 2 years laboring among them when the church at Corinth was planted. He knew many of them on an intimate, personal level.

Thus, he cared deeply about their spiritual wellbeing. 

Paul's joy and love for the Corinthians was never deterred or diminished by external pressures or hard circumstances.

Trouble and fear give way to comfort and consolation from God.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 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. 

One key aspect of Paul's ministry as an apostle was how he kept informed about the churches that he started.

The apostle would frequently send Timothy, Titus, Silas or one of his other co-workers to a specific church.

These men would stay at a church Paul specified and then later return to the apostle with a detailed report of their spiritual condition.

In this manner, Paul would know the state of each church, their problems and their progress in walking with the Lord.

The Spirit of God guided Paul to speak about the trouble and afflictions that he experienced. 

Any retelling of Paul's troubles was not to put him on a pedestal. Rather, it was given so that the Corinthians would not be discouraged if they faced similar circumstances.

In this section Paul reaches back to something he shared earlier with the Corinthians.

The Spirit of God led Paul through Troas to take the gospel of Christ into Europe.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13  Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13)  I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. 

Paul helped establish the church at Ephesus and when he left that city, he arrived at Troas to preach the gospel.

Troas was an important city located on a Roman highway. It was known for being a seaport and a hub of trade activity. 

Paul took the gospel of Christ from Asia to Europe by way of Troas.

While at Troas preaching the gospel Paul was troubled because he could not find Titus, a close companion and fellow minister of the gospel.

As he traveled from Troas to Macedonia, the gospel began to spread into Europe. However, Paul faced many troubles and trials.

Paul and his coworkers were continually fatigued with preaching the gospel, disputing with pagans and philosophers. 

They had to contend with false teachers and endure violent attacks, such as when he was cast into jail at Philippi. 

The idea is that Paul and the others had no rest in their bodies though they enjoyed spiritual consolation and comfort from the Lord.  

Paul comforted by the Corinthian's response to his first letter.

2 Corinthians 7:6-7  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. 

However troubled and weary the apostle may have been while in Macedonia, his spirit was lifted by Titus' arrival. 

The word "comforted" is the idea of God coming alongside us during times to hardship, in order to encourage, console, strengthen, and encourage us.

Those who are "cast down" are those who are crushed by adversity, oppressed  by evil doers or weighed down by grief.

Those with humble hearts and contrite spirits are ones to whom God looks. 

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

The contrite in heart are those who have been literally crushed or ground to powder by the hardship and  afflictions of life.

Family troubles, financial hardship, health issues or persecution are some of things that crush people in this life.

God's promise through Isaiah, is that He will dwell with those who suffer such afflictions. He will revive those who are humble and contrite in heart.

God looks to the humble of heart and the contrite in spirit to dwell with and revive their hearts. He cheers their drooping spirits, and fills them with comfort. 

Paul experienced this comfort and refers to God as the author of it, calling him "the God of all comfort."

Paul's heart was stirred with restlessness because he wanted to know if his first letter to the Corinthians had the desired impact.

Thus, Titus brought back to Paul a full report of the church at Corinth and God used this to greatly comfort the apostle.

John Gill was a pastor, Bible scholar and theologian (1697-1771 AD) and his careful commentary on this text is very helpful.

"The church at Corinth received Titus with all respect and reverence. They treated him in the most kind and tender manner and satisfied him in the affair of the incestuous person." 

"They greatly refreshed his spirits with an account of their faith in Christ, experience of the grace of God, and their regard and close attachment to the honour of religion [Christianity], and the interest of Christ the Redeemer."

"Many comfortable opportunities had he [Titus] with them, in preaching among them, and conversing with them, and his account added to the apostle's consolation." 

"The joys and comforts of one believer yield a considerable pleasure, and are matter of joy and comfort, to another."

Thus, Paul was satisfied that the Corinthians dealt with the sin of sexual immorality (See 1 Corinthians 5). 

They mourned over this sin and the reproach it brought upon the name of Jesus Christ. 

They were sorrowful that their failure led to so many troubles in the church.

He rejoiced that they began to deal with false teachers and the rifts that they caused in the church.

Paul was also blessed because they had a fervent mind toward him. They vindicated Paul's integrity, upright behavior, God given doctrine and his conduct among them.

Thus, the apostle was overflowing with joy and rejoiced greatly when Titus gave him his report.

Sorrow that brings repentance is good for our soul.

2 Corinthians 7:8-9  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. 

Paul did not apologize for having to confront their sins. He knew that Christ's church is called to holiness and that sin must be dealt with in each local church (See Acts 5).

Paul was sorry that he had to use his authority as Christ's apostle to rebuke them so strongly, but he knew it was necessary and would benefit them.

Paul encouraged the Corinthians because the sorrow over their sins would only last for a short while, as they confessed sin and forsook it as God commands (See 1 John 1:7 to 2:2).

Sorrow over our sin is meant to lead us to repentance, where we turn away from our sin and turn to Jesus Christ by faith, to receive cleansing and full forgiveness. 

Sorrow experienced by the Corinthians issued in true repentance and this was the ground of Paul's rejoicing. 

Just as there is joy in heaven among the angels, at the repentance of a sinner, so there is joy in the church among saints and pastors when sinners or backsliders return by repentance.

God does not overlook sin and He will judge if we do not repent. 

Acts 5:1-11  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2)  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3)  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4)  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5)  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6)  And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7) And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8)  And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9)  Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10)  Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11)  And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 

True repentance prevented the exercise of Paul's apostolic duty, which would have consigned their bodies to destruction, that your souls might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

A clear example of what Paul means by saying the Corinthians did not receive damage from the apostle is noted in the passage above. 

A husband and wife conspired to retain some of the money from selling land. They lied to the apostle Peter about it, and they forfeited their lives. 

The apostle previously wrote to the Corinthians about defiling the Lord's table and for that reason, some were sick and some had died. 

God chastened them for desecrating the communion observance of Christ's sacrifice for us. 

Let us seek to be a holy people who are set apart for God's kingdom purposes.

Let us live our lives as examples of godliness to encourage others along the way.

Let us take up God's Word anew and ask Him to guide and direct our steps as He has promised to do.

Bob