Joy Found in Sorrow

II Corinthians 7:6-12 – Joy Found in Sorrow

In a sin-filled world, sorrow is ever present, in believers and unbelievers alike. But is sorrow in believers a Biblical concept? The book of II Corinthians proves that it is. The Apostle Paul had much sorrow concerning the church in Corinth. In fact, after Paul’s second visit to Corinth, a painful trip due to the Corinthians’ rejection of him and his apostolic authority, he wrote a third letter to them. This letter was a warning, a call for discipline. This situation caused sorrow both for Paul and for the Corinthian believers. II Corinthians 2:1 informs the reader that Paul had come to them in sorrow on that second visit, and II Corinthians 7:8 informs the reader that the Corinthians were made sorrowful by that third letter. And while Paul said that he did not write that letter in order to make them sorrowful but to show them the love he had for them, sorrow resulted. Paul was so concerned about the Corinthians’ response to this letter that he was unable to minister in Troas and had to go to Macedonia in search of Titus. It was there in Macedonia that Titus brought Paul the Corinthians’ response to the letter, and it was there in Macedonia that Paul wrote II Corinthians. In II Corinthians 7:6-12 Paul’s reaction to the Corinthians’ response to this third letter is explained. The word sorrow is mentioned eight times in these verses, yet Paul’s reaction is one of great joy. How can joy be found in the midst of such great sorrow? How can Paul’s reaction be joyful if his intent was to not cause them sorrow in his letter? There are several reasons why Paul found joy within this sorrow: the situation provided Paul with a “teachable moment,” the sorrow that the Corinthians felt was God’s sorrow as opposed to the world’s sorrow, and just as Paul’s painful letter was meant to show his love for the Corinthians, the Corinthians’ sorrow shows their love for Paul.

“Teachable moments” are opportunities that a teacher has to put what he or she has been teaching into action or to clearly explain the application of what he or she has been teaching. For Paul, this moment came when Titus arrived in Macedonia with the Corinthians’ response to Paul’s third letter as well as in Titus’ example. In II Corinthians 1:3-7, Paul had explained that God was the God of all comfort, that we are comforted in order to share comfort with others, and that God’s comfort is just as abundant as our suffering. II Corinthians 7:6-7 is the application of that teaching. This application makes Paul’s teaching consistent. Even as he mentions in II Corinthians 7:5 that he was afflicted on every side, the very next words that come out of Paul’s mouth are, “But God, who comforts.” Additionally, the fact that we are comforted in order to share comfort with others played out with the Corinthians involved. They comforted Titus, and Paul mentions that he was comforted not only by God and the coming of Titus but by the comfort that the Corinthians gave to Titus. So despite the sorrow that had taken place, Paul was able to find joy in this “teachable moment” with the Corinthians.

More importantly, however, than a “teachable moment” is the fact that the sorrow that the Corinthians felt was God’s sorrow, not the world’s sorrow. Not all sorrow is bad; it can produce positive results. II Corinthians 7:8-12 is an example of positive sorrow. In other words, it is an example of God’s sorrow. There’s a difference between God’s sorrow and the world’s sorrow. God’s sorrow results in repentance while the world’s sorrow results in death. Paul states in II Corinthians 7:9 that he did not rejoice that they were made sorrowful but that they were made sorrowful to the point of repentance, and in II Corinthians 7:11 he refers to this sorrow as a godly sorrow. Godly sorrow is able to bring about joy because of its result. In the Corinthians’ case it produced a desire to right their wrongs, to turn from their ways; it produced repentance. And this repentance led to their salvation. This salvation is not referring to justification because Paul is writing to the Corinthian believers. This fact is evident in how Paul refers to his audience, such as when he calls them “brethren” in II Corinthians 8:1. It is also evident in the content of the letter. He speaks of repentance of action and discipline. Neither of these concepts has any effect on an unbeliever. If Paul were speaking to unbelievers, his message would be for them to put their faith in Christ. So in the case of the Corinthians, their sorrow led to repentance which led to salvation, referring to their sanctification and possibly glorification. Regarding their sanctification, they were no longer hindered in their fellowship with God. They were delivered, free to grow in their relationships with the Lord. Paul even mentions this fellowship as he closes the letter of II Corinthians: “…and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (II Corinthians 13:14). Regarding their glorification, they were no longer neglecting the great salvation mentioned in Hebrews 2:3, the sharing with the Son of God in the enjoyment of his final victory over all enemies and his glorious inheritance in His future kingdom over the earth (Richards). Paul had touched on this salvation before in his second letter to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 6:2). So while Paul’s third letter did produce sorrow, it was a godly sorrow which ultimately did show his sincere care, concern, and love for the Corinthians (Hodgdon). Therefore, joy could be found in this success.

But Paul’s love was not the only love that was made evident within this sorrow. The Corinthians’ sorrow shows their love for Paul as well. It is clear from II Corinthians 7:8 that the sorrow was caused by the letter from Paul. One does not often feel sorrow for disappointing someone that they have no feelings for. Despite the pain and problems that had come from Paul’s previous visits and letters, it is evident from this passage (II Corinthians 7:6-12) that they loved Paul. They cared for and respected him so deeply that his disappointment of them brought them to a point of sorrow. Therefore, joy could once again be found.

Prior to studying II Corinthians 7:6-12, I had considered sorrow negatively, and while to the world the word still has negative connotations, I can find comfort in the truth. As a Christian, I can have sorrow and joy at the same time. This is a radical idea in a world where being happy is the focus. But in Christ, I can experience worldly pain and sadness with hope and joy. This truth is important for my individual walk with God as well as my testimony to others. Remembering the positive results of Paul and the Corinthians’ sorrow can keep me from getting bogged down in my own afflictions and fears. And as I appropriate this truth, I may have a “teachable moment,” an opportunity to be a witness to others who are watching how I react to the circumstances of life. If one person is able to come to Christ because of my sorrow, then it is well worth it.