2 Corinthians 8:16-24

¹⁶ But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. ¹⁷ For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. ¹⁸ And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, ¹⁹ and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, ²⁰ avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—²¹ providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. ²² And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. ²³ If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

Commentary
Vs. 16 "But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus."

The Apostle Paul was not the only one who had a deep concern for the Corinthians, Titus also exemplified the same Spirit of love and concern for them as well. And so here the Apostle not only makes the Corinthians aware of this, but gives God thanks for this, for His putting in Titus's heart the same earnest care for them as well. 

Vs. 17 "For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. " 

When the Apostle Paul told Titus of all of his concerns for them, Titus not only accepted the Apostles exhortation to go to them with this epistle, but he had already wanted to go them of his own accord, and so it was not the Apostle's exhortation that was bringing Titus to them in such a spirit of love and concern, it was Titus whose heart God had already moved, who was diligently coming to them of his own accord.

Vs. 18 "And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches" 

Titus though eagerly desiring to go to them would not be travelling alone. A certain brother, who is described as a one "whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches" would be travelling with Titus. Why the man is unnamed is not known, clearly by the description of him he was a man who had a very noble reputation amongst believers everywhere, and so maybe it was for security reasons, since he would be the one bearing the Corinthians gift (vs. 19). 

Vs. 19 "and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind" 

The Apostle Paul now commends to the Corinthians the noble brother mentioned in vs. 18, this man was chosen by the churches to be the one who would bear the Corinthians gift. The gift then would be administered (in accord with the Corinthians will) by the Apostle/s to the glory of the Lord, and so this gift was going to demonstrate the Corinthians own willing mind; that is their own willingness to help out the brethren in Jerusalem and Judea, just as Titus was willing to help them all out. 

Vs. 20-21 ²⁰ avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—²¹ providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

The Apostle Paul wanted to be above any reproach in regards to any sort of real or imagined conflict of interest in regards to Corinthians lavish gift. Therefore the Apostle Paul had taken steps to make sure that all of this would be done in way which would not only be honorable in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. This then is a very important principal that should mark each and every assembly in the Lord when it comes to all monetary collections and there distribution.

Vs. 22 "And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you."

Along with Titus and the brother chosen by the churches, the Apostle Paul was also sending another brother in the Lord. Apparently this man had proved a great help personally to the Apostle Paul in many ways, and so he is being sent here as an assistant to them as well. Now to put to rest any questions that may arise amongst the Corinthians as to why the Apostle would send him, Paul declares his own great confidence in them, and thus this should be understood by them as only being done to assist them (in whatever ways they would need assistance with their gift), but not to override them. 

Vs. 23-24 ²³ If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. ²⁴ Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

To make sure that Titus is received and treated well by the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul now says' of him, that "he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you." And so the Apostle Paul expects them to treat Titus just as they would treat himself. Same with the two men being sent with him, for these men are also fellow workers in the Gospel, and thus are described here as "messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ." Therefore they too should be received by the Corinthians in a manner worthy of their persons as trusted church workers, because what they do, and the manner in which they do it, also brings glory to Christ. Therefore the Apostle Paul's wants the Corinthians to show them the kind of hospitality and love of which he has already boasted about them having to them. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

2 Corinthians 8:8-15

⁸ I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. ⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. ¹⁰ And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; ¹¹ but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. ¹² For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. ¹³ For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; ¹⁴ but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. ¹⁵ As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

Commentary

Vs. 8 "I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others."

From the outset the Apostle Paul wants the Corinthians (and us all) to know that giving in the New Covenant era is a free will activity. It is something that we as the redeemed children of God want to do, not something that we have to do. For having received the grace of God for ourselves, we also want to be a people of the same, blessing others as we have the means and opportunity to do so. That said, the Apostle Paul says that through Titus he is testing the Corinthians love and sincerity by having him diligently seek their promised offering from them. For through this offering much needed relief for many brethren was going to be secured, and so the Apostle Paul wants them to keep their word, so that such things can take place. For no doubt there where brethren who were also living in expectation of it. And so the Apostle's word here is meant to encourage them to perform that which they have already promised to do; thus it is not given as a commandment; but rather it is an appeal for them to show their love and concern for those in need (consider 1 John 3:16-17).    

Vs. 9 "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

Now to help the Corinthians see the importance of their giving, and just how this manifests the grace of God, the Apostle Paul turns to the greatest example of sacrificial giving ever; and that is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. For it was God's Son who in accord with the grace of God laid aside His own rights and privileges, took on human flesh and suffered Crucifixion death for us all, so that we through His poverty might be made eternally rich when we believe in Him (John 3:16). Therefore in citing our Lord and Savior, the Apostle Paul wants the Corinthians (and us all) to see that looking out for the welfare and well-being of others is part and parcel of following Christ (consider Phil 2:5-11). 

Vs. 10-12 ¹⁰ And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; ¹¹ but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. ¹² For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

A year before the writing of this epistle the Corinthians had heard about the needs of the brethren in Jerusalem and began a collection for them, yet somewhere along the way this good work that they had begun stalled. And so here the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthians to not only be about gathering this offering, but also to be about completing it; that is gathering it all up and getting it in order, so that Titus (or whomever they send it through) can bring it to those who are in need of it (vs. 10-11). Now to encourage them to complete this good work the Apostle Paul says that it is to their own advantage to be doing this, because what we do down here has a great impact on not only the quality of life that we will have down here, but also the quality of life that we will enjoy up there (consider Prov 19:17; 22:9; 28:27; Luke 16:1-13; vs. 9-13). Now unless the Corinthians feel that their delay may have disqualified them from participating in this ministry to the saints (that is to God's people), or that some may not be able to match the giving of others, and thus fear be shamed for not being able to do so, the Apostle now says in verse twelve: "For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have." Notice then that there are two parts in Paul's statement, which is setting forth a godly principal for us all to follow. The first part being that there must be a willing mind if it is to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who willingly gave of Himself for us all. Not commandment, not compulsion, but a willing mind in order for any gift too be accepted in the sight of God in the New Covenant. For again God didn't order Jesus to cross, instead the Father let the Son choose for Himself what He would do. And so even though Jesus Himself would still be in perfect relationship with the Father if He choose not too, Jesus choose the cross, because He knew apart from that there could be no redemption for us. 
Next then there is what is being given. No mention of percentages or amounts, nothing then to compare oneself to another; and thus become puffed up with vain pride, or be shunned over for not giving as much as the other guy; for again gifts of grace are accepted "...according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have." And so just as the poor widows two mites, though seemingly an insignificant offering in the sight of man, was a gift of great noteworthiness in the sight of the Lord (see Luke 21:1-4). So do our gifts when we also freely and bountifully give according to what we have, and not according to what we don't have. For Godly giving is not meant to impoverish the one and enrich the other, but rather to enrich both giver and receiver. For if it doesn't do that, then it has arguably failed to accomplish what God intends to do through it. 

Vs. 13-15 ¹³ For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; ¹⁴ but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. ¹⁵ As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

And so unless some misunderstand the Apostle's appeal to them to complete this good work, Paul makes it clear that he is not trying burden the Corinthians, so that other churches have ease, and they themselves become impoverished. For that would profit neither in the long term. Instead the principal here is that as one has abundance now one should share with those in need (consider Luke 3:8-11; 1 Tim 6:17-19). Now this is not a one way street, for one congregation or assembly of believers may now have an abundance in one area, while another may be impoverished in that very same area; (and so the principal transcends not just material needs, but moves into the realm of manpower, or skills, or talents etc.) and so where I now have abundance and you lack I can supply you in that area, similarly in those areas where you now have abundance and I now lack you can now can supply me, that's the fundamental principal that the Apostle is getting at when he cites the O.T. Israelites gathering of the manna the day before the Sabbath, and then distributing it equally amongst themselves (Exodus 16:18). For only then will brethren have a mutual sharing and caring for one another, as each one seeks to relieve the burdens of others, where and when they can. Now there will be those who will try to exploit these principals for their own personal gain, but they will be quickly exposed for what they are as they do (2 Cor 11:13-15; Phil. 3:17-19; 1 Tim 6:5; 2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-17; Jude 11, 16-19; also 2 Thess. 3:10-15). Therefore we should not let such people detract us from doing what is good and right and sound in the sight of the Lord. For following Christ entails caring and giving, giving of time, talents, money, so as to show ourselves true people of the King, and thus true servants of the Kingdom of heaven here on earth. And that is my desire that all who name Jesus Christ as Lord look out not only for their own interests, but also the interests of those around them (Phil 2:4).

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

2 Corinthians 8:1–7

¹ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: ² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. ³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, ⁴ imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵ And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. ⁶ So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. ⁷ But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

Preamble

Though this section begins a new chapter, it is continuing the Apostles thoughts from the previous chapter. And so here the Apostle Paul is wanting to encourage and inspire the Corinthians to excel in their sharing with, and caring for, all those brethren in need. 

Commentary

Vs. 1-2 ¹ Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: ² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

The Macedonian churches refers to the churches in Philipi, Thessalonica, and Berea. These congregations were born out of the Apostle Pauls' preaching the Gospel, recorded for us in Acts 16:12-40 (Philipi); Acts 17:1-9 (Thessalonica); Acts 17:10-15 (Berea). Now these believers were not unlike many other early believers in that they too would suffer for their faith; enduring not only hostility and persecution; but also material poverty as well. And yet it was in while in the midst of all these things that their joy and giving abounded. For they sought not only to obey the Gospel of God, but also to provide relief for other believers who were in greater need even then themselves. Now the Apostle Paul attributes this generosity and joy of spirit in them to the grace of God, something which they themselves had first received with their own reception of and belief in the Truth, which is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and thus salvation by faith in His Person alone (Acts 4:12). 

Vs. 3-5 ³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, ⁴ imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ⁵ And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 

And so here the Apostle Paul commends their liberal giving and sharing as a godly example for the Corinthians (and us all) to follow. Notice then the manner in which they gave when they heard of the dire straits of those churches who were in deep need, they implored the Apostle Paul to receive their gift to try to bring relief to them. Thus rather than focusing on their own plight and poverty, their hearts were concerned for those brethren who they felt were in a greater need even then themselves. Now by their doing so they became partakers of "the fellowship of the ministering to the saints." That is they themselves willingly joined with all those believers everywhere who were also providing material aid and support to those churches and congregations in need. And so Godly giving is never based upon how much you can give, it's that in giving, you show yourselves to care (1 John 3:17).  Now Macedonian believers generosity even exceeded Paul's own hope's for this; that is that they could contribute some much needed material relief for the suffering brethren in Jerusalem (vs. 5), which again exceeded even what he could have hoped for. Now the Apostle Paul attributes this generosity of theirs to their first having giving themselves to the Lord, then their also giving themselves to the Apostle Paul, which as Paul says here was "by the will of God." That is by their doing so they were obeying the will of God for them. And so their mention here is not only for their own commendation, but also to serve as an example for the Corinthians to follow as well. 

Vs. 6-7 ⁶ So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. ⁷ But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

Having had a such a positive experience with the Macedonian churches, the Apostle Paul therefore urged Titus to instruct the Corinthians to exemplify the same spirit of generosity and giving. Thus as Titus had begun to do so on his first visit with them, encouraging then to give support to those brethren in need, now with his bringing this second epistle to them Paul wants the Corinthians to know that he has instructed Titus to encourage them to complete this grace as well. For feelings of empathy for others must be accompanied by deeds and actions to be genuine. And so the Apostle Paul says in verse seven, But (ἀλλά) as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. The grace of giving then is something which we all must practice and hopefully excel in as well. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

2 Corinthians 7:13–16

¹³ Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. ¹⁴ For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. ¹⁵ And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. ¹⁶ Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.

Commentary

Vs. 13 "Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all."

The Apostle Paul now tells the Corinthians how much joy they brought not only to Titus, but also to himself, by their receiving both Titus, the Lord's servant, and Paul's epistle to them, in a manner worthy of both. Indeed the Apostle Paul was not only comforted in hearing how diligently they obeyed his epistle, but also in the manner which they treated Titus, who told him all of the good things that were born out of it, and his time there. 

Vs. 14 "For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true."

The Apostle Paul now reveals too the Corinthians that even before sending Titus to them, he had boasted about them to Titus, and so here the Apostle having heard of their obedience, and just how well they treated Titus, is pleased to report to them that his boasting of them (like his Word to them) was found true. 

Vs. 15 "And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. ¹⁶ Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything."

Indeed Titus' affections for the Corinthians had grown since his time with them, as he recalls the obedience of them all, and how with fear (φόβος) and trembling (τρόμος) they received him. Thus the Corinthians by doing so showed themselves to truly fear the Lord by responding to his servants presence amongst them in such a manner. And so though the Corinthians were still a people in transition from their previous ungodly lives; (where their cultures norms and values dictated their behavior, beliefs and conduct); they were now in their hearts a people set on wanting to do what was right in the sight of the Lord, by keeping His Word given through the Apostle Paul. Therefore Titus having had his own first hand experience with them all, now has his own affections for them all, which are even greater as he remembers just how the Corinthians received him with godly fear and reverence. And thus how they distinguished themselves from the small and disruptive minority who were exalting themselves and disparaging the Apostle Paul. And so the Apostle Paul wants the Corinthians to know that they not only brought joy to Titus and himself by their obedience to God's Word, but now he also has even more confidence in them all in their willingness and obedience to seek out and do what is right in the sight of the Lord as the manner of their new lives. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

2 Corinthians 7:2-12

² Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. ³ I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. ⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. ⁵ For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. ⁸ For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. ¹¹ For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. ¹² Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

Commentary

Vs. 2 "Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one." 

Again the Apostle Paul urges the Corinthians to open their hearts to him, just as he had opened his own heart towards them. For Paul didn't want the Corinthians to be guarded with their hearts and feelings towards him. Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that they could be open and honest with him, just as he was being with them, for he could be trusted. That is why he says, "We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one." For whatever his detractors were saying about him, the reality of Paul's ministry and life gave absolute evidence to the fact that he was not peddling the word of God for his own profit; nor was he manipulating people's opinions or feelings to make himself look better and others worse; nor did Paul break confidence by sharing those things spoken in confidence to the detriment of others; nor did Paul take advantage of anyone; or scheme things; Paul cheated no one. Paul was a man of integrity, not duplicity. And thus the Corinthians could trust him, just as he was trusting them with his own heart, life, and feelings.  

Vs. 3 "I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together." 

Now in stating these things the Apostle Paul was not wanting to condemn them for their having wronged him; for as he says here, "you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together." Meaning whether in life or in death, Paul's love for them was steadfast, and was not conditioned by whatever wrongs they had done to him. Thick skin with an absolute willingness to forgive and be reconciled to ones brethren when wronged then is not only a key part of being a Christian, but also being a shepherd of God's people (Matt 18:15-35; Luke 17:3-4; Eph. 5:30-32; also Lev 19:17-18). 

Vs. 4 "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation." 

The Apostle Paul's confidence, as well as his exuberance for them, is driven then by the fact that Titus has already reported to him the Corinthians repentance (vs. 6-11); and thus Paul could not only be boastful of them, but he could be filled with all comfort, and have all joy, even in his own tribulations, because the Corinthians having acknowledge their wrongs and offenses were now seeking to do what was right. 

Vs. 5-7 ⁵ For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. ⁶ Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, ⁷ and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

The Apostle Paul now recalls when the news of the Corinthians repentance came to him, and how positively it effected him. For it was during a very difficult time in his life and ministry (vs. 5). And so though in a state of despondency (or great discouragement), Paul recalls how God comforted him with the coming of Titus to him, whom he had been greatly concerned about (vs. 6, 2 Cor 2:12-13). That said, Paul goes on to say that not only was he comforted with Titus' coming to him, but also he received the consolation that Titus himself had, when Titus reported to him the Corinthians earnest desire to do what was right; their mourning for having down what was wrong; and now their zeal for Paul personally, and so with this news Paul rejoiced with Titus even more, because clearly God was at work not only amongst them, but also God was with and working through the Corinthians as well. 

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. ⁹ Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 

Previously the Apostle Paul had sent Titus with an epistle to the Corinthians to address some of the problems there, apparently the Apostle Paul had some concerns about the sternness of his letter (vs. 8). Yet now seeing the fruits of it, Paul can now say that though he initially regretted making them sorrowful, yet seeing and hearing from Titus the Corinthians earnest desire and zeal to do what was right once their wrong was exposed, and thus though they were made sorrowful by it for a season, yet that very same sorrowfulness led them to their repentance. And so Paul can rightly say that they were made sorrowful in godly manner (and thus he didn't berate them for it, or simply shame them into feeling bad about themselves, rather Paul brought to light their sin in such a way so as to make them confront it head on, and so seeing it for what it was, and the harm it caused others and themselves, they themselves wanted to repent of it). And so having brought about their repentance in a godly manner; though sorrow initially accompanied that; Paul could now look on it and say that this was done so that they might suffer loss from Titus and himself in nothing. For Paul could've just as easily overlooked their sin, or downplayed it, and in time this would've only led to worse and worse things for them, and so like a loving and wise parent who takes corrective action when their own children's behavior gets out of line, so Paul did here. So that Corinthians could go forward in faith and not backward into sin, and thus suffer loss from either Paul or Titus in nothing. For again the absolute worse thing to do when sin arises amongst a congregation is to do, or saying nothing at all. Now regarding this consider the terrible Old Testament example of Eli the high priest, and how much his own inaction cost not only him, and his own household, but also the people of God who would loose the Ark of Covenant for twenty years to the Philistines. For when Eli found out his own sons were sleeping with women in the congregation, he did nothing to restrain them, and thus God removed both him as well as His descendants from being before Him forever (see 1 Samuel 2:11-4:22). 

Vs. 10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." 

If there is anything that lacks in this world it is godly sorrow, for godly sorrow is what drove the revivals of old, bringing people to repentance and faith before God through Christ; while the sorrow of this world is only sorrow over the consequences of ones sin, but it is not sorrow over the sin itself. Godly sorrow then starts by agreeing with God and what God's Word says about ones sin, and then seeking the mercies and help from God to have His salvation and deliverance from ones sins and transgressions (see James 4:8-10). In contrast the sorrow of this world is only to be in remorse over the consequences and losses from ones sins and transgressions. It does not seek God or even submit too God, in fact it only resists God and deny's God; and thus is not a change of mind about either oneself, ones sins, or even God Himself to whom we are all accountable too; and thus the sorrow of this world is born by oneself apart from God, and thus does not bring people to repentance before God which will lead to their salvation. In fact people will often blame God for their own wayward ways, or even hate God for the judgments that He renders against their sins; rather then acknowledge God and repent of them (consider Prov 19:3; Rev 9:20-21; 16:8-9). And so just as godly sorrow produces repentance, so the sorrow of the world only produces death. Death because the "wages of sin is death" (Rom. 3:23), but the free gift of God is eternal life by faith in Christ (Rom 6:23). And so rather then hardening your heart too God (Job 9:4), or turning back to your sins and transgressions, turn to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, because with Christ there is not only the remission of your and everyones sins and transgressions who believes; but there is everlasting life (John 3:16). 

Vs. 11 "For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter." 

Now the fruits of Godly sorrow were self-evident amongst the Corinthians, as the Apostle Paul states here. And so Godly sorrow produced seven very good things in them beginning with diligence. For though the Corinthians initially were indifferent or inattentive to the sin amongst them, when Godly sorrow took hold of their hearts they became very proactive in dealing with it. Something which takes place in us as well when we see the sins in our own persons and lives for what they are and we repent and likewise take Godly action against them. Next then was the clearing of themselves, that is the Apostle Paul though previously charging them with great error in not dealing with the sin and the sinner amongst them, now commends them for having done so. Now their indignation may have been initially directed at the sinner and his sin, but here Paul is likely commending their own Godly indignation at having allowed such things to carry on for so long (consider Jeremiah 31:19). Fear here is a reverential fear, a fear of the Lord and His Word given them through the Apostle. As well there was now a reverential fear of the Apostle, since Paul not only bore the Word of the Lord to them, but he bore Christ's authority as His Apostle, and it seems the Corinthians were now acknowledging that. Their vehement desire to do what was right then was born out of their repentance and Godly, reverential fear. While zeal indicates the manner in which they did it. That is they weren't slack about it, they took immediate action. There vindication then before God and the Apostle was that they gave justice to the one who had suffered the wrong (see Louw Nida 56.35). And so with that the Apostle Paul could now boldly and confidently reaffirm them all by saying, "In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter." That is having done what was right to bring about a just end to it all, the Apostle could now confidently say they were clear in this matter. 

Vs. 12 "Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you."

The Apostle Paul's chief concern then was for the Corinthians as a whole, and not just the individual/s involved in the unfortunate incident, and so here Paul wants them all to know his care for them all in the sight of God is real and genuine and ongoing.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 556). New York: United Bible Societies.

2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1

¹¹ O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. ¹³ Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. ¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” ¹⁷ Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” ¹⁸ “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” ¹ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Commentary

Vs. 11-13 ¹¹ O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. ¹³ Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Having told the Corinthians all of the incredible things that he has been enduring for them and Gospels sake, the Apostle Paul now says that he has not only spoken openly to them, but he wants them to know that his heart is open to them all (vs. 11). And so here we see, as well in many other places in his epistles', Paul wasn't writing to them out of some cold and calculated "theologic", as the Greek philosophers would do. Nor was he a dogmatic fanatic who strictly held to "the letter" and yet knew nothing of God's grace and love, as the Pharisees and Sadducee's would do. Rather Paul knew God's love, specifically Christ's love for himself and all believers everywhere, and thus in that love Paul could not only endure whatever tribulations came his way, but he could also rejoice and minister the Gospel in that same Spirit love and joy as well. That all said, the Apostle Paul now invites the Corinthians in verses twelve and thirteen to open their own hearts to him as well. For Paul the Gospel wasn't just preaching and teaching, and thus receiving and declaring the great truths found in it and born out of it; but it is love, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit. Something which requires our receiving one another, and having fellowship with one another as one would with one's own mother or brother or father or sister. And thus create relationships and environments where one can not only feel safe and secure, but also be able express ones own heart as one would with ones best friend or spouse. That is what the Apostle is wanting to see in us all, a relationship openness, honesty, transparency and accountability that not only accepts and receives, but also guides and leads, and when necessary corrects, or provides comfort, consolation, sustenance for those in need, and thus leads to us all growing up into Christ-likeness. Therefore the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians to be open with himself, for he himself has not only been open with them, but he also cares deeply for them all.

Vs. 14-16 ¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

Having affectionately addressed the Corinthians as "children"; referring not just to their understanding in the faith, but also their levels of discernment and conduct, which at times reflected something more like squabbling, self-centered, spoiled, pouting children than mature adults who have not only learned how to discern good from evil (Heb. 5:14), but also how to work through the inevitable relationship conflicts that often arise when men and women from different backgrounds come together in one house. And so the Apostle Paul now moves from declaring his affections for them, to getting very serious in his instructing them; just as a father does when he charges his children not to be led away and astray by those who live in unbelief (consider 2 Peter 3:17). Now to do that, to protect their purity in the faith, the Apostle Paul now charges us all by saying: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" vs. 14 
The metaphor here of being unequally "yoked" is simply that of differing farm animals being hitched together to pull a plow, or cart, or turn a milestone etc. and is very illustrative if you think about it. For too unequally yoke differing animals together would only create much tension and imbalance as the majority would inevitably pull the minority in it's direction and at it's pace. And so just as you wouldn't hitch three oxen and a horse to pull a plow, so believers must manage their relationships and activities with unbelievers with wisdom and discernment. Because to be unequalled yoked together with them will inevitably mean that you will be pulled in the direction of life that they are traveling! Which will not be the narrow road, as Jesus says we all must stay on if we wish to follow Him as His disciple, but it will be the broad and wide road that ends in destruction (see Matt 7:13-14). Therefore the Apostle says in the second half of the verse; ..."For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" Now the Apostle's questions are meant to awaken our discernment and senses to not only perils of doing so, but specifically of seeing where our hearts loyalties truly now rest. For if with Christ then with righteousness (that is what God's Word declares to be righteousness), and thus not with the degenerating morals of this world which they codify for themselves in their laws. And thus not with lawless transgender (Deut 22:5), homosexual marriage (Lev. 18:22), marijuana legitimizing and legalizing agenda that pervades the prevailing moral conscience of this day and age. For it's not climate change that will be the ruin of humanity, its the degenerating moral change! For once a society (or individual) lowers the bar, they will just keep lowering it! Therefore we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are to have no communion with them, lest by our having "communion" with them while they live in error, we validate their wayward ways, or worse become ensnared by them (consider 1 Cor 5:9-13; 6:9-11). 
"And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?" 
Strengthening his exhortation the Apostle Paul makes it clear that Christ has no part with Belial (i.e. Satan), and thus neither should any believer have any fellowship with an unbeliever when they are following the same, that is doing his works and deeds. From righteousness then being contrasted with lawlessness, too light being contrasted with darkness, and now to Christ having no accord with Belial, and thus a believer having no part with unbeliever, all these stark contrasts are meant to invoke in us a strong response to follow the same pattern of separation. 
¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”
The Apostle Paul's finial exhortation here in form of a rhetorical question, though aimed squarely at the heart of the Corinthian culture with it's pagan temples, rituals, and idols, still has an application for us now. Since their are temples and idols that also exit in our day and cultures. Therefore as the Lord's redeemed people indwelt by God by His Spirit within us; and thus as both individual believers, as well as a collective body of believers, being the Temple of living God (see 1 Cor 3:16, 17, 19; Eph 2:21) we should not then out of love for and loyalty too the One true God have any agreement ("joint arrangement", "mutual agreement"; Louw Nida 31.18) with idols. For we can live peaceably with our neighbors while not embracing their wayward beliefs and practices. And so let us have no agreement with those who do not worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24), and thus worship God or "god's" through their idols. For they worship demons, not God (1 Cor 10:20; Rev. 9:20). Something if you do not already know pervades the spiritual beliefs and practices of Catholicism (1 Tim 4:1-5). Indeed in the realm of the Great Harlot every moral and spiritual abomination is found there, for there is a different spirit there which is not the Holy Spirit (see Rev 17-18:1-5). 

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” ¹⁸ “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” 

The Apostle's exhortation here then is simple, “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord..." Separation then from all that is spiritually and morally evil is what we as disciples of Christ are commanded to do. And thus we are not to touch what is unclean; that is we are to steer clear of it all, so that God may receive us as His sons and daughters. For though we want to see all people believe and receive the truth, and thus come to freedom and life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not do so at the risk of our own (or anyone else's) well being. 

Vs. 7:1 ¹ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

Therefore having the promises of God of His receiving us, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. For there is a cleansing which God does when He washes and renews us by the Holy Spirit at the time of our salvation (Titus 3:4-7), and thus gives us a justified standing with Himself through Christ. That said, there is a also a cleansing that we as Gods' now reborn children are responsible for doing. For we are commanded to also cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit so that we might be perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Therefore there will be things then that we once did, and thoughts and attitudes that we once held, and even places that we once went in ignorance, that we must now steer clear of (Rom 12:1-2). Now to do this one must be Scripturally knowledgable so as to know what is good and evil (consider Heb 5:12-14). For that is where the mind of God is found. So don't rely on others for this, you must be proactive in your own faith, not only for your own growth, but also your own spiritual well being.  For if you surrender this solemn duty to others you may be brought into the bondage of the doctrines and commandments of men under the guise of pursuing holiness (consider Col 2:20-23); or the flip side of that is that you are ignorant of them, and thus in listening to others come into all kinds of wild ideas and notions which only ruin the faith of those who adhere to them (consider Heb 13:8-9). Either which is a very real possibility given the vast amount of stuff that is out there (both published, as well as simply spoken and shared as if it were Scriptural truth, both from the pulpit, as well as on the street). Therefore don't surrender your freedom In Christ, nor your Spirit discernment to others, use your God given discernment to seek and search out God's truth for yourselves (consider Acts 17:11).  

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.