2 Corinthians 7 vs 1 - 16 - Corps-31
Publication Date: May 18, 1983
Walter J. Cummins graduated from the Power for Abundant Class in 1962.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Ohio State University in 1968 and his Master of Education degree in Secondary School Administration in 1978 from Wright State University.
He was ordained to the Christian by The Way International in 1968. He has studied at The Way International under Victor Paul Wierwille and K.C.Pillai. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he was director of the Research department of the Way International and served as assistant to the president.
May 18, 1983
Thirty-second Corps Night
UII Cor. 7:1
What promises? Cannot be O.T. promises because those were to Israel and not to the
Church. They are those promises that are given in vs. 16-18, that are UlikeU those O.T.
promises because we do have God in Christ in us. We are to come out from among the
unbelievers, not to associate with them, but to be separate. And God will welcome us, and
then we are sons and daughters of God, because we are all a part of this big edifice - the
Temple of God. Those are the promises, not the O.T. promises addressed to Israel, but
those that are similar and yet they are to the Body of the Church, the Temple of God.
To "cleanse," is to purify. "filthiness," Aramaic word is tamutha, and is related to the word
"unclean," in II Cor. 6:17. We are to cleanse ourselves from all uncleanness.
Flesh and spirit - the FOS where the part of a thing is used for the whole. USynecdocheU.
The flesh and spirit are put for the whole man. It is impossible for God's gift of holy spirit
to be cleansed because it is already holy, it is already pure, it is already clean. You do not
need to clean something that is already clean. That is why it cannot mean to cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of holy spirit. The flesh and spirit is that figure where these
two parts are used for the whole man.
"holiness," = related to the normal word for "holy," but this particular word used here is
only used three times in the N.T. Rom. 1:4; II Cor. 7:1; I Th. 3:13. This word indicates an
ethical purity in the walk - in this context. We are to perfect holiness in reverence of God
in our walk. We are already perfect spiritually. We are sanctified, set apart. This fits real
good with II Cor. 6:17 where he tells us to be separate, not to associate with the unclean
unbelievers. After you have it spiritually, you need to get it into your walk, according to
the standard, by putting on pure thoughts in your heart and not associating with unbelievers
- that gives holiness in your walk.
II Cor. 7:1 Literal according to usage:
Therefore, beloved, because we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from
every unclean association of flesh and spirit, and let us work to be set apart in holiness
with reverence to God.
This summarizes what we read in the last section. II Cor. 6:11-18.
UII Cor. 7:2
"receive," - In Aramaic, it gives you a number of meanings, like endure, hold, to contain.
The simple form of this word means to think, or to hold as true, or supposed. However,
this particular form used here indicates a deeper thinking. That is why they translate it
endure, wait, contain. The Greek word literally means to make room for someone, in your
heart. In II Cor. 6:11, "mouth," - they told them everything that was necessary and their
hearts were enlarged. They wanted them to open their hearts, to repay what they owed,
their love. So that their hearts would be relieved. That is why "open your hearts," right
here would be a great translation. It fits with the context.
"no man," - really begins each of these phrases in the Greek. So, it is the FOS, UanaphoraU,
which is the repetition of the same words at the beginning of successive clauses.
This FOS points out three things:
178 II Corinthians
1) Wronged - really means to cause injustice to. Or to treat unjustly. It can also mean to
injure or harm. "Injustice," would cover the whole situation of the Corinthians because it
was not a matter of hurting someone physically, but causing injustices.
2) Corrupted - used of the Temple - If anyone defiles or corrupts the Temple, God would
defile or corrupt him. Used also of corrupting with erroneous teaching.
3) Defrauded - Means to take advantage of, in both the Greek and Aramaic. Or to
greedily defraud. The Greek word is related to the word for covetousness which is a
greedy desire for more and more. This is the word used in II Cor. 2:11. Lest Satan should
get an advantage of us . . . This word is only used 5 times in the N.T. . Four of them are in
II Cor.: 2:11; 7:2; 12:17 & 18; and the 5th in I Th. 4:6.
II Cor. 7:2 Literal according to usage:
Open your hearts to us. We have done injustice to no one. We have corrupted no one
through erroneous teaching. We have greedily taken advantage of no one.
They could trust Paul and the other leadership. They opened their hearts to the Corinthians,
always behaved justly, never taught anything erroneous that corrupted or defiled them, and
he never took advantage or tried to exploit anyone materially, or in any other way.
UII Cor. 7:3
This verse is pretty self-explanatory, except the last part.
"die and live with you," - Remember the FOS, UsynecdocheU, in verse 1? This is not that
figure, but there is another FOS, UmerismosU, where you divide a whole into parts. For
example, the manifestations of the spirit - you could list all nine - that would be giving all
the parts of the whole. Could do the same with the fruit of the spirit and the gift ministries.
Listing the parts or dividing a whole into its parts.
This is not in Bullinger's FOS, but in a Journal of Biblical Literature, 1952 issue, a man
called Honeyman, talked about Upolar merismosU, where you divide the whole into parts.
Polar means the poles - the extremes - it is where you give the two extremes, two opposites
in dividing it up into parts. Instead of listing every part you just give the two ends. This
was a common Hebrew expression, idiom. It expresses totality by using these two opposite
extremities.
In Genesis 1, it says the evening and the morning were the first day. It gives the two
extremes for the whole day; the totality.
In Is. 33, as well as in Eph., it talks about those who are far off and those who are near -
meaning everybody.
In Gen. 8, it talks about seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and
night.
God, Jesus Christ and an angel have spoken, "I am the first and the last, the alpha and the
omega." Does not make Jesus Christ or the angel, God - it means he is the total, one and
only. Such as the only messenger in the situation.
The two extremes of death and life show the totality of the commitment that the Apostle
Paul had for the Corinthians. Whatever we do, we do together. We are with you, together.
II Cor. 7:3 Literal according to usage:
I am not speaking to condemn you, for I have told you already that you are in our
hearts. Whatever we do, we are together with you.
UII Cor. 7:4
"boldness of speech," = the normal word for boldness that is used so often, parrhēsiaU.U It is
interesting it is used in the first verses of this long section. In this section through chapter
12, there is a lot along this line of boldness and boasting, etc. Boasting is used a lot. He
boasts about the Corinthians as well as some of his own achievements spiritually. Boast
(verb) kauchaomai.
Tharreo, means to be of good courage; of cheer.
Pepoithēsis, means confident trust.
Tolmaō, means dare, more of an overt action which corresponds with tharreo, which is an
inner action.
These five words come up a lot between here and II Cor. 12. There is a lot of focus on
boldness, confidence, being of good cheer, confident, and trust.
[If Walter were to label this section, because of his boasting in the Corinthians, and he
believing in the Corinthians, and his really building them up, he would call this "You're the
Best" section.]
UII Cor. 7:4
"toward," = pros, with a view to or with respect to. He is bragging about them. He is using
boldness of speech with respect to the Corinthians. Great is my glorying (boasting) of you.
"comfort," = encouragement. Used seven times in this chapter.
"tribulation," = pressure. You don't get joy cause you've got so much tribulation, you get
joy in spite of it. Because you are able to stand and be bigger than all of it; the pressure.
II Cor. 7:4 Literal according to usage:
Great is my boldness of speech with respect to you, great is my boasting of you. I am
totally filled with encouragement. I superabound with joy in spite of our pressures of
life.
UII Cor. 7:5
"flesh," = UsynecdocheU - FOS - part put for the whole. Flesh, meaning the entire man.
"Had no rest," = used of the relaxing the custody of a prisoner.
"troubles," = verb form of pressured.
II Cor. 7:5 Literal according to usage:
For when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest but we had pressures
from all sides: conflicts, from the outside and anxiety from within.
They were getting closer to Corinth. When they were at Troas, Titus did not come. Now,
he moves over to Macedonia, they are getting closer to Corinth and they are wondering
where Titus is. No good report has come back. Now they were encouraged because they
had spoken what they needed to say, their hearts were relieved - but still, it is nice to hear it
and Titus hadn't come back yet.
UII Cor. 7:6
Titus came while they were in Macedonia.
180 II Corinthians
"comforted," = encouraged
"cast down," = it is one word both in the Greek and Aramaic.
It is the word that normally is used of humble or lowly people; meek to receive the Word.
It is also used of those that are down hearted, cast down, depressed. To an extent they
were down hearted here according to the context because Titus had not come yet. But,
they were also humble, because God does not guarantee that everyone who is down
hearted is going to get relieved. They also have to be humble to receive God's Word. Also,
if people are humble but not down hearted, then there would be no reason for God to
encourage them. They are already encouraged. That is why both ideas are in this word
that is used here in this context.
II Cor. 7:6 Literal according to usage:
But God, Who encourages the down-hearted who are humble, encouraged us by the
return of Titus.
UII Cor. 7:7
"consolation," = encouragement
"comforted," = encouraged.
"in," = by
"told," = reported, to bring a message to.
1) earnest desire
2) your mourning
3) fervent mind toward me. The Aramaic says concerning us, or on our behalf (not
just me, but us; Timothy was with him.)
All three of these ideas are all toward us.
"earnest desire," - Aramaic means love. The Greek means a longing, a longing to be with,
fond desire. It is also used in II Cor. 7:11 - "vehement desire." The related verb was used
in II Cor. 5:2, "earnestly desiring." The Corinthians longed to be with the man who taught
them the Word.
"mourning," = this isn't the normal word used for mourning. It is significant though, the
Corinthians lamented for Paul, in that they had put him through much grief, because of
their error. Yet, Paul assures them in II Cor. 2:4, that his purpose in writing was not to
cause more grief, but that they might know how much he loved them. When they knew
this from Titus it hit them in the heart and they were sorry and that is what Titus reported
back.
"fervent mind," = zēlos, = zeal - it is the word used for "earnestly desire" in I Cor. 12:31
and I Cor. 14:1. Having zeal towards Paul and Timothy, their leaders.
II Cor. 7:7 Literal according to usage: [Remember vs. 6]
Now it was not just by his physical return, but by his encouragement, whereby he was
encouraged by you, which he relayed to us when he reported how you love us, how
sorry you are, and how eager you are to stand with us. So, I rejoiced even more.
UII Cor. 7:8
"sorry," - a better word for this and the word sorrow used in the next verses is grief.
"season," = a short time.
Repent in verse 8 is not the same as repentance in vs. 9, although they are somewhat
related.
"Repent," in verse 8 is metamelomai. It does not have as far ranging meaning as the word
in verse 9 & 10, which is metanoeō. This is the normal word for repent in the N.T. . It
means to perceive afterward, hence, to change one's mind and purpose, repent is still a
good translation.
Metanoeō, is mainly used in the Bible of repentance unto salvation. However, there are
cases where it is used of a change in lifestyle or your walk after you have been born again.
Acts 8:22.
Metamelomai, (vs. 8), means to sorrow or regret of having done something. When Judas
regretted what he had done in Matt. 27:3, he returned the 30 pieces of silver, but that did
not result in a turn-around in his life-style.
Verse 10 does refer to salvation - for godly sorrow or grief, worketh repentance to
salvation, not to be repented of - cause it is irrevocable. But the grief of the world works
death. That is talking about salvation, and that is why verse 10 is also a parenthesis,
because it is right in the midst of this section that is dealing with the Corinthians changing
their minds.
II Cor. 7:8
I do not regret it. Same epistle = I Cor.
II Cor. 7:9
I didn't get excited and full of joy because you were sad. But, that you grieved to a change
in life-style . . . a change of heart . . . a change of mind.
II Cor. 7:10
Here he is using the greater principle of salvation, which in the context is applied to their
change of heart, because they were screwed up because they were not walking on the
Word. So, when Paul wrote them they were not too happy about it. They grieved, but it
was a godly grief, or literally, a grief according to God. But that doesn't mean God caused
the grief, because God does not cause grief. Their brief grief caused them to come back to
alignment and harmony with God.
"not to be repented of," - is irrevocable. The only other place this word is used is in
Romans 11:29. In contrast to this, the grief according to the world works death. Verse 10,
is indeed a parenthesis because it is a greater principle, talking about salvation in contrast
to the grief of the world, working death. And it is applied to getting back in fellowship. It
is possible to get out of fellowship again, but once you have experienced that grief and
have turned back to the fellowship you become stronger on the Word, your breaking points
become stronger, so nothing can tear you away from God. God wants you to be strong,
and to stand.
Verse 11 goes back to the walk, the fellowship.
II Cor. 7:8-11a Literals according to usage:
8. If I made you feel grieved by my letter, I do not regret writing it even if I did
regret it. For now I see that the letter only grieved you for a short time.
9. So now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because the grief lead you to
a change in heart. It was a grief leading back to alignment and harmony with
God. Thus, you were not injured by us in any way.
10. (For grief leading to God energizes repentance to salvation which is irrevocable,
but worldly grief produces death.)
11a So look at what this grief leading back to alignment and harmony with God has
produced in you:
UII Cor. 7:11b
It has produced:
1) Diligence - spoudē, - puts emphasis on the diligence or effort put forth. After they
were reproved, they diligently put forth effort to right the wrong, to get back on this Word.
This includes confessing. Your broken fellowship and taking the appropriate action to
correct the error.
2) Answer of truth in the face of accusation. The accusation is not the reproof, but it is
the condemnation, either from themselves or from Satan, which is a big part of this second
epistle. You must stand on the truth rather than defending your former actions or feelings
of condemnation.
3) An annoyance or indignation, displeasure, anger. But what are you annoyed with and
irritated with? The devil! His devices and the things he has tried to throw at you.
4) Fear = reverence - For God and wanting to walk for Him. They gained greater respect
for God, not fearing their leadership.
5) Longing - same as in vs. 7, and II Cor. 5:2. They longed to be in fellowship with God
and their father in the Word, rather that staying in their error and hate.
6) Earnest desire - zeal - spiritual walk, rather than their fleshly desires.
7) Wanting to see justice done - vengeance
II Cor. 7:11b Literal according to usage:
diligence [to correct your error,] an answer [of truth in the face of accusation,]
annoyance [with Satan's devices,] reverence [for God,] a longing [for the fellowship
with God and us,] earnest desire [for spiritual matters,] vengeance [against the devil.]
In every way you have established and commended yourselves to be pure in this affair.
The Corinthians are now showing their true colors by getting back in alignment and
harmony with the Word.
UII Cor. 7:12
He did not write because somebody had done something wrong or because somebody had
suffered a wrong. That was not Paul's purpose for writing. II Cor. 2:4. He cared for them.
"our care for you," is right - some mss really turn this phrase around.
UII Cor. 7:13
"comforted," = encouraged
"in," = by
"comfort," = encouragement
May 18, 1983 - Thirty-second Corps Night 183
"yea and," = but - and should come after the first four words. "Therefore we were
comforted but by your comfort exceedingly the more we joyed.
This fits with verse 7.
"spirit," = soul life.
UII Cor. 7:14
"him," = Titus
UII Cor. 7:15
"inward affection," = bowels, which is the Aramaic way-of saying affections, the seat of
the emotions.
"fear and trembling," = Aramaic expression meaning reverence and obedience.
"received," = accepted
UII Cor. 7:16
He was of good courage because of what he had seen in the Corinthians. You are the
Best!!!
End of Teaching