2 Corinthians 7:8

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, etc..] His former epistle, relating to the incestuous person: I do not repent, though I did repent; not of writing the letter, which was wrote by divine inspiration; but of the sorrow occasioned by it, though now he did not repent of that: for I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though it were but for a season; inasmuch as the sorrow was true, hearty, and genuine, though it was but for a time, the apostle was entirely satisfied, and the more pleased, because of its brevity, since it was sincere.”

“with a letter--Greek, "in the letter" namely, the first Epistle to the Corinthians. I do not repent, though I did repent--Translate, "I do not regret it, though I did regret it." The Greek words for regret and repent are distinct. Paul was almost regretting, through parental tenderness, his having used rebukes calculated to grieve the Corinthians; but now that he has learned from Titus the salutary effect produced on them, he no longer regrets it. for I perceive, &c.--This is explanatory of "I did repent" or "regret it," and is parenthetical ("for I perceive that that Epistle did make you sorry, though it was but for a season").”

“For though I made you sorry ... - That is, in the First Epistle which he had sent to them. In that Epistle he had felt it necessary to reprove them for their dissensions and other disorders which had occurred and which were tolerated in the church. That Epistle was suited to produce pain in them - as severe and just reproof always does; and Paul felt very anxious about its effect on them. It was painful to him to write it, and he was well aware that it must cause deep distress among them to be thus reproved. I do not repent - I have seen such happy effects produced by it; it has so completely answered the end which I had in view; it was so kindly received, that I do not regret now that I…”

“I did repent - That is, I felt a tender sorrow for having grieved you, till I saw the happy effect of it. 2 Corinthians 7:10”

“7:8-13a Paul was sorry at first that he had sent his previous letter (see 2:3-4). Now he was not sorry, realizing that the pain had been worthwhile, for the severe letter had brought the church in Corinth to repentance. They had rebuked the offending person—perhaps too strongly (see 2:6-11).”

“though I made: Co2 7:6, Co2 7:11, Co2 2:2-11; Lam 3:32; Mat 26:21, Mat 26:22; Luk 22:61, Luk 22:62; Joh 16:6, Joh 21:17; Heb 12:9-11; Rev 3:19 though I did: Exo 5:22, Exo 5:23; Jer 20:7-9 2 Corinthians 7:9”