2 Corinthians 7:8

2 Corinthians 7:8 Meaning and Explanation

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

King James Version (KJV)

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Though his earlier letter grieved them and he briefly regretted sending it, Paul no longer regrets it, since the sorrow it caused was only for a time.

What Does 2 Corinthians 7:8 Mean?

Paul reflects honestly on the hard letter he had sent -- a painful correction that grieved the Corinthians. For a moment he had second thoughts about causing them pain.

Now he sees the outcome and no longer regrets it. The sorrow was real but temporary, lasting only a season, and it accomplished something good. A faithful pastor will sometimes speak words that hurt, not to wound but to heal, trusting that grief which leads to restoration is worth the cost. The measure of correction is not the pain it brings but the change it works.

Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 7:8

What does 2 Corinthians 7:8 mean?

Though his earlier letter grieved them and he briefly regretted sending it, Paul no longer regrets it, since the sorrow it caused was only for a time.

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