2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it worked in you, yes… The Bible says a deal about repentance. 1. Its nature (Job 42:5; Psalm 51:1.; Ezekiel 36:35; Matthew 26:24; Luke 15:35; 18:13; 2 Corinthians 7:9). 2. Its necessity (Ezekiel 14:6; Matthew 3:1; Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:13; Acts 3:19; Revelation 2:5, &c.). 3. Its internal working as here. I. SOLICITUDE. "What carefulness!" Men who have repented are no longer unconcerned about spiritual matters, but are cautious, careful, diligent. The necessity of carefulness may be argued from — 1. The corrupting influences of social life. 2. The agency of tempting spirits. 3. The remaining depravity of our own nature. This is tinder for the devil's fire, a fulcrum for the devil's lever. Hence be careful. II. DEPRECATION. "What clearing of yourselves" — how anxious to show your disapproval of the evil of which you have been guilty. Thus genuine repentance ever works. III. ANGER. "What indignation!" Repentance generates a deadly hatred to evil. We have little faith in the moral excellency of those who cannot go into flames of indignation whenever the wrong appears before them: Strong love for the thing loved necessitates strong hatred for the thing hated. "Dante, who loved well because he hated, hated wickedness because he loved." When a repentant soul muses not only on the sins of others, but on his own, the fires of indignation kindle into a blaze. IV. DREAD. "What fear!" Fear, not of suffering but of sin. This fear is the highest courage, and also love dreading to displease the object of its affection. V. EARNESTNESS. "What vehement desire!" — what longing for a higher life! "What zeal!" — what intense desire to eschew the wrong and to pursue the right! "What revenge!" What a craving to crush the wrong! All these expressions mean intense earnestness about spiritual matters which is rare and praiseworthy. Genuine repentance is antagonistic to indifferentism. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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