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—
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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.
- 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 told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.
- Rev 3:19As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
- Heb 12:9–11Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?
- 2 Cor 2:2–11For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?
- Jer 20:7–9Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded; you are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I have become a laughing-stock all day. Every one mocks me.
- Exod 5:22–23Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?
- John 21:17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
- 2 Cor 7:11For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
- 2 Cor 7:6Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- Luke 22:61–62The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”
- Lam 3:32For though he cause grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
- Matt 26:21–22As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
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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
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