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.
Parallel translations
- WEB For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.
- BSB Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—
- NLT I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul does not regret his sorrowful letter, even though it grieved the Corinthians, because the grief was temporary and produced good. Loving correction, though painful, can be worth the cost.
Overview
Paul reflects on a previous painful letter that caused the Corinthians sorrow. Though he briefly regretted causing them pain, he no longer does, since their grief was for a season and led to repentance. The verse shows the wisdom and cost of faithful, loving rebuke.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- John 16:6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
- Rev 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
- Heb 12:9–11Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
- 2 Cor 2:2–11For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
- Jer 20:7–9O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
- Exod 5:22–23And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
- John 21:17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
- 2 Cor 7:11For 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 Cor 7:6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- Luke 22:61–62And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
- Lam 3:32But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
- Matt 26:21–22And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Resources, by level
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 7:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.