2 Corinthians 7:11

“For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, etc..] The apostle proceeds to describe godly sorrow by its effects, which are so many evidences of the sincerity and genuineness of it; some of the things mentioned are peculiar to the case of the Corinthians, and others common to evangelical repentance in any: what carefulness it wrought in you; to remove the incestuous person from communion with them, which they were very negligent of before; to sin no more after this sort; to keep up, for the future, a more strict and regular discipline in the church; to perform good works in general, and not to offend God: yea, what clearing of yourselves; not by denying the fact, or…”

“Confirmation of Co2 7:10 from the Corinthians' own experience. carefulness--solicitude, literally, "diligence"; opposed to their past negligence in the matter. in you--Greek "for you." yea--not only "carefulness" or diligence, but also "clearing of yourselves," namely, to me by Titus: anxiety to show you disapproved of the deed. indignation--against the offender. fear--of the wrath of God, and of sinning any more [SCLATER and CALVIN]; fear of Paul [GROTIUS], (Co1 4:2, Co1 4:19-21). vehement desire--longing for restoration to Paul's approval [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. "Fear" is in spite of one's self. "Longing desire" is spontaneous, and implies strong love and an aspiration for correction…”

“For behold this self-same thing - For see in your own case the happy effects of godly sorrow. See the effects which it produced; see an illustration of what it is suited to produce. The construction is, “For lo! this very thing, to wit, your sorrowing after a godly manner, wrought carefulness, clearing of yourselves,” etc. The object of Paul is to illustrate the effects of godly sorrow, to which he had referred in 2 Corinthians 7:10. He appeals, therefore, to their own case, and says that it was beautifully illustrated among themselves. What carefulness - (σπουδήν spoudēn). This word properly denotes “speed, haste;” then diligence, earnest effort, forwardness. Here it is evidently used to…”

“How great diligence it wrought in you - Shown in all the following particulars. Yea, clearing of yourselves - Some had been more, some less, faulty; whence arose these various affections. Hence their apologizing and indignation, with respect to themselves; their fear and desire, with respect to the apostle; their zeal and revenge, with respect to the offender, yea, and themselves also. Clearing of yourselves - From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin. Indignation - That ye had not immediately corrected the offender. Fear - Of God's displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod. Vehement desire - To see me again. Zeal - For the glory of God, and the soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge -…”

“that: Co2 7:9; Isa 66:2; Zac 12:10-14; Co1 5:2 carefulness: Co2 7:7; Co1 12:25; Tit 3:8 clearing: Gen 44:6, Gen 44:7; Co1 5:13; Eph 5:11; Ti1 5:21, Ti1 5:22 indignation: Sa2 12:5-7; Neh 5:6-13, Neh 13:25; Job 42:6; Jer 31:18-20; Dan 6:14; Mar 3:5; Eph 4:26 fear: Co2 7:1; Psa 2:11; Pro 14:16, Pro 28:14; Rom 11:20; Phi 2:12; Heb 4:1, Heb 12:15, Heb 12:16; Pe1 1:17; Jde 1:23 vehement: Psa 38:9, Psa 42:1, Psa 130:6, Psa 145:19; Sol 8:6; Isa 26:8; Pe1 2:2 zeal: Co2 9:2; Psa 69:9, Psa 119:139; Joh 2:17; Act 17:16 revenge: Psa 35:13; Mat 5:29, Mat 5:30; Mar 9:43-48; Rev 3:19 approved: Co2 6:4, Co2 13:7; Rom 14:18; Ti2 2:15 2 Corinthians 7:12”