\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 7\\

This chapter begins with an inference deduced, from what is said in
the latter part of the foregoing chapter, engaging to holiness of
heart and life, in opposition to filthiness of flesh and spirit,
\\#2Co 7:1\\ and the apostle, in order to prevail upon the Corinthians
kindly to receive his exhortations, observes his own conduct, and
that of his fellow ministers towards them; as that they had done
them no injury by the advice they had given them, nor had they
corrupted them by unsound doctrine, or had coveted their worldly
substance, \\#2Co 7:2\\ not that by so saying he would insinuate as if
they had been guilty of injury, corruption, and covetousness; it was
far from his thoughts to suggest anything of that kind concerning
them, for whom he had so great an affection, as never to separate
from them, but living and dying to continue the same regards unto
them, \\#2Co 7:3\\ and which he expresses, and had shown everywhere, by
the freedom of speech he had used concerning them, and his boasting
of them, and the joy and comfort he had in the midst of his
troubles, by the good news he had received of them, \\#2Co 7:4\\, which
he had in the following manner; for though when in Macedonia he had
no rest, partly through outward troubles, and partly through inward
fears, \\#2Co 7:5\\ yet meeting with Titus, who had been with them, and
had brought an account of their state, it was a means God made use
of for the comfort of him, \\#2Co 7:6\\ and it was not merely the sight
of Titus that yielded him this consolation, but the comfortable
reception he had met with at Corinth; and also the good effect the
apostle's letter written to them had upon them, as related by Titus;
what a desire they had to see him, what grief that they should sin,
and by it distress him, and what a fervent affection they had for
him \\#2Co 7:7\\ for which reason he did not repent of the letter he sent
them, though it did produce sorrow in them, since that was of the
right kind, and was but for a time, \\#2Co 7:8\\ yea, he was so far from
it, that he was glad, not merely on account of their sorrow, but
because their sorrow was a godly one, and issued in repentance; and
so they were no losers, but gainers by the epistle, it producing
such good effects, \\#2Co 7:9\\ which leads him to distinguish between a
true right godly sorrow, and a worldly one, and that by their
consequences; repentance and salvation following upon the one, and
death upon the other, \\#2Co 7:10\\ the fruits and evidences of which
godly and true repentance he makes mention of in seven particulars,
by which it appeared that their sorrow and repentance were sincere
and genuine, \\#2Co 7:11\\ when the apostle proceeds to observe to them
the end he had in view in writing to them, upon the account of the
incestuous person, in which he had used great plainness and
faithfulness; and this was not merely on account of him that
offended, nor only on account of the person injured by him, but
chiefly to testify his care of, and concern for their welfare, as a
church of Christ, \\#2Co 7:12\\ and inasmuch as though they had been
grieved, yet were now comforted, it added to the consolation of the
apostle and his companions, and the more delighted they were, when
they understood what a reception Titus had among them, what
reverence he was had in, what respect was shown him, and care was
taken of him, \\#2Co 7:13\\ and the rather, seeing the apostle had
boasted of the liberality, generosity, and affectionate regard of
the Corinthians to the ministers of the Gospel, Titus found it to be
all true what he had said; so that he had no reason to be ashamed,
as he must have been, had they behaved otherwise, \\#2Co 7:14\\ and still
it gave him further pleasure, that by their behaviour to Titus, they
had gained his heart, and increased his affection towards them;
which he could not but express, whenever he called to mind, or made
mention of the great respect, veneration, and obedience, they
yielded to him, \\#2Co 7:15\\ and indeed it was not only in this
instance, but in all others, the apostle had confidence concerning
them, which heightened his joy and pleasure in them, \\#2Co 7:16\\.