2 Corinthians 7:11 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Yea, what revenge?— What punishment!—namely, of the incestuous person. Heylin. The word clear in this verse answers very well to the word αγνος in the Greek: but then, "to be clear," in English is generally understood to signify, "not to have been guilty;" which could not be the sense of the Apostle, he having charged the Corinthians so strongly in his first epistle. His meaning must therefore be, that they had now resolved on a contrary course, and were so far clear; that is, were set right, and in a good disposition again, as he describes it in the former part of this verse; and therefore the expression εν τω πραγματι, which we render in this matter, might perhaps better be rendered in fact; that is, "by your sorrow, your fear, &c." It cannot well be translated in this matter, understanding thereby the punishment of the fornicator,—for that was not the matter of which St. Paul had been speaking; but the Corinthians siding with the false apostle against him, had been the subject of the preceding part of this, and of the three or four foregoing Chapter s, wherein he justifies himself against their slanders, and invalidates the pretences of the adverse party. This is what lay chiefly upon his heart, and what he labours both in this and the former epistle to rectify, as thefoundation of all the disorders among them; and consequently is that wherein he rejoices to find them all set right. Indeed, in the immediately following verse he mentions his having written to them concerningthe fornicator, but it is only as an argument of his kindness and concern for them; but that which was the great cause of his rejoicing, was the breaking the faction, and the reuniting them all to himself in Christ; which he expresses in the word all, emphatically used, 2 Corinthians 7:13; 2 Corinthians 7:15 and thence he concludes thus; I rejoice, therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things, 2 Corinthians 7:16. His mind was now at rest: the partisans of his opposer having forsaken that leader in whom they had so much gloried, and being all through the blessing of God now come over to him, he doubted not but all would go well, and therefore here drops the subject.

2 Corinthians 7:11

11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.