2 Corinthians 7:8
What does 2 Corinthians 7:8 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 7:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 7:8 means
Paul acknowledges that his previous letter caused the Corinthians grief. He felt a momentary regret because he dislikes causing pain. Yet he does not ultimately regret writing, since the sorrow it produced was temporary and purposeful. This pastoral tension is instructive: love sometimes must wound to heal. Paul does not relish severity, but he is grateful that the hurt was not an end in itself. It awakened consciences without crushing hope. The pain served a redemptive aim—turning the church back to God and back to the apostle who sought their good. Good shepherds may grieve over necessary rebukes, even as they stand by the truth that brings restoration.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For though my letter gave you pain, I have no regret for it now, though I had before; for I see that the letter gave you pain, but only for a time.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not repent--if even I did repent--for I perceive that the letter, even if for an hour, did make you sorry.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For although I made you sorrowful by my epistle, I do not repent. And if I did repent, seeing that the same epistle (although but for a time) did make you sorrowful,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret [it], if even I have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even [it were] only for a time, grieved you.
Context
With Titus’s good report in view, Paul reexamines the effect of his stern epistle. This sets up the crucial distinction in the next verses between godly and worldly sorrow. Verse 8 acknowledges the initial sting; verses 9–10 will celebrate the healing outcome—repentance leading to salvation—while verse 11 will catalog the practical fruits that proved the genuineness of the Corinthians’ response.
v.7and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more.
v.8This passage
v.9I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 21:17
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
- John 16:6
But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
- Exodus 5:22
And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou dealt ill with this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
- 2 Corinthians 7:11
For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6
Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
- Hebrews 12:9
Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
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