Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 7:11
Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, cataloging the specific behavioral outcomes that follow their response to his previous correction.
The words — κατὰ θεὸν λυπηθῆναι (kata theon lupēthēnai) literally means "to be grieved according to God."
The thread — The pattern of divine correction yielding observable moral accountability appears in the call to present oneself approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15) and to serve Christ in a manner that earns divine approval (Romans 14:18).
Why it lands — It demands that a reader measure their response to rebuke by its tangible results, verifying that it produces concrete action rather than passive regret.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Romans 14:18 For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
- 1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
- 2 Timothy 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
- Psalms 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
- Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
- 1 Corinthians 5:13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
- 2 Corinthians 7:7 and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.
- Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
- Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,