Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

2 Corinthians 7:11 For 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.

The word “revenge” means “vindication, vengeance”, wrong was made right. The Corinthian church dealt with sin in their midst by the identifying, meting out just rebuke for the offender. Peace was restored in the church. The Apostle Paul was thankful to God to know that his letter to them was taken seriously.

He saw that they have not let sin fester but sin was repented and put away. By their action, the Apostle Paul could see their sincere desire to walk rightly with God. They may be described as the picture of the blessed man given in Psalm 1 who walk not, nor stand nor sit with partakers of sin.

2 Corinthians 7:11 For 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.

When sin was dealt with as the Apostle Paul had pointed out, God’s peace came to God’s people. As the Apostle Paul puts it in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

When doctrine is taught, God’s principle enunciated, bringing about reproof, resulting in correction, then the zeal to follow the instruction of righteousness puts the man of God on track toward spiritual maturity.

2 Corinthians 7:11 For 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.

What great longing, what earnest desire, translated “vehement desire” here, referring their longing to see the Apostle Paul visiting them again. The visit of Titus as a representative of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church and the conveying of their affection toward the Apostle Paul brought comfort to his heart.

2 Corinthians 7:7 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.

The Apostle Paul’s rejoicing can be clearly understood as a picture of the prodigal son returning to the father in Luke 15, as it were, there was an earnest desire for the son to seek a right way with God, to the rejoicing of the father.

2 Corinthians 7:11 For 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.

Hendriksen observed well, “Paul uses the word fear five times in this epistle, of which four are in this chapter (v. 1, 5, 11, 15; 5:11). He uses “fear” in the sense of reverence and respect for God and man, so that we may conclude that the word signifies reverence for God and respect for Paul. That is, the Corinthians respect Paul as God’s representative and bringer of divine revelation.”¹

The church in Corinth had a deep regard for the Apostle Paul as such, his letter was serious read, considered and heeded. It was heartening for him to know that. He has been seeking the Lord that the church may make progress, maturing in the ways of God. The good report from Titus confirmed the church received well his letter of admonition. A letter that was needful. Yet there could be a possibility that the hearts have been turned away from God so that his admonition will be spurned.

2 Corinthians 7:11 For 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.

Rather than condoning their sins, the Corinthian church was upset that they allowed themselves to be led astray from their steadfastness in the Lord. They were unhappy with themselves for yielding to temptation. They were upset with themselves for their lack of vigilance.

When Israel was in the conquest of the Promised Land, they did not consult the Lord but made an alliance with the Gibeonites.

2 Corinthians 7:11 For 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.

The phrase “clearing of yourselves” is the word “ἀπολογία” (apologia), from which we get the word “apologetics”. It means “a speech in defence”. The Corinthian Christians were eager to repent and make redress for every wrong committed. It does not mean they were eager to defend their wrongdoing rather they were eager to seek a right way to correct their wrongdoing.