Tag: 25 April 2019

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.