Kress Biblical Resources :: A Christ-Sufficient Ministry Is Characterized by Divine Comfort, Joy, and Holy Optimism—Not Pessimism and Defeat (2Co 7:4-16)

Detailed Outline of 2 Corinthians

Defending the New Covenant Gospel Ministry of Grace and the Sufficiency of Christ

II. Gospel ministry and the sufficiency of Christ (2Co 1:3-7:16)

B. A Christ-Sufficient ministry explained and defended (2Co 2:12-17; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7)

6. A Christ-Sufficient ministry is characterized by divine comfort, joy, and holy optimism—not pessimism and defeat (2Co 7:4-16)
   1. Confidence in the face of questions (2Co 7:4)
   2. Comfort from God in the wake of confrontation (2Co 7:5-16)
      1. Conflicts and concern are a reality in relationships (2Co 7:5)
      2. Comfort can come through providence (2Co 7:6)
      3. Comfort can come through confrontation (2Co 7:7-13a)
         1. The report that brought joy—a longing and a zeal for Paul (2Co 7:7)
         2. The repentance that brought joy³ (2Co 7:8)
            • The confrontation via a sorrowful letter (2Co 7:8)
            • The contrast between worldly and godly sorrow (2Co 7:9-10)
              • Sorrow producing repentance and salvation (2Co 7:9-10a)
              • Sorrow producing death (2Co 7:10b)
            • The contrition/repentance produced by godly sorrow (2Co 7:11)
              • Diligence to make a defense [of Paul as God’s representative; cf. 2Co 7:7]
              • Displeasure [over being complicit in the offense against Paul as God’s representative]
              • Dismay [over allowing the offense against Paul as God’s representative to go unchecked]
              • Desire [for Paul as God’s representative to be honored]
              • Devotion [to Paul’s reputation as God’s representative]
              • Determination [to see the injustice against Paul as God’s representative rectified]
              • Demonstration of innocence [in regard to the offense against Paul as God’s representative]
            • The concern for others—not vengeance or self-vindication (2Co 7:12)
            • The comfort of reconciliation and repentance (2Co 7:13a)
      4. Confidence and joy through affectionate fellowship and obedience to God’s truth (2Co 7:13b-16)
         1. Fellowship and obedience bring spiritual refreshment (2Co 7:13b)
         2. Fellowship and obedience affirm sanctified optimism (2Co 7:14)
         3. Fellowship and obedience increase spiritual affection (2Co 7:15)
         4. Fellowship and obedience supply joy and further confidence (2Co 7:16)

³The expositor must be careful to note the context of this passage on repentance and not simply make it a blanket template for all repentance. The qualities used to describe the Corinthians’ repentance as a church, or a large portion of the church are corporate and somewhat specific to the nature of the offense. Not all sin demands the exact same nuances of repentance—but rather repentance should be specific to the offense committed. Examples here include “defense” and “demonstration of innocence” in the matter (evidently of not appropriately disciplining a member who challenged Paul’s Apostolic authority). There seems to be a “defense” of Paul and a “demonstration” they had not actually agreed with the one who had been slandering him, though they were at first complicit by not rebuking the man.

A change in thinking will result in changed attitudes and actions. God ultimately evaluates repentance and certainly there will be evidence of repentance seen by the church. But to strictly apply every quality listed here in order to evaluate or even self-evaluate one’s repentance was not likely the Apostle Paul’s purpose in writing this section.