The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 7:7 Explained

2 Corinthians 7:7

KJV: And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

YLT: and not only in his presence, but also in the comfort with which he was comforted over you, declaring to us your longing desire, your lamentation, your zeal for me, so that the more I did rejoice,

Darby: and not by his coming only, but also through the encouragement with which he was encouraged as to you; relating to us your ardent desire, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I the more rejoiced.

ASV: and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  not  by  his  coming  only,  but  by  the consolation  wherewith  he was comforted  in  you,  when he told  us  your  earnest desire,  your  mourning,  your  fervent mind  toward  me;  so  that I  rejoiced  the more. 

What does 2 Corinthians 7:7 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 7:5-16 - The Joyous Effect Of Godly Sorrow
After dispatching his first Epistle, with the strong words of 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 and elsewhere, Paul's tender heart had been rent with anxiety lest the Corinthian church should resent its terms and be alienated from his friendship. But when Titus joined him in Macedonia, bringing the assurance of their deep repentance and unabated affection, he was profoundly comforted and gladdened. He felt also that their sorrow was of the true and genuine sort, which does not consist of mere mortification at being found out or of the dread of punishment, but which implies a profound hatred of sin as grieving the Holy Savior and unworthy of His precious blood. This sorrow does not need to be repented of; these tears do not require to be cleansed. Godly sorrow accepts rebuke meekly, puts away the wrong, and with chastened steps comes again into the way of the sacred Cross.
Titus had imbibed much of Paul's spirit. It is interesting to notice that though he was a companion and messenger of the Apostle, even his spirit could be in need of refreshment, 2 Corinthians 7:13; and Paul was pleased that his own anticipations had been realized in the response of his friends at Corinth. Here beats the heart of a true pastor, whose whole soul is wrapped up in the interests of his charge! [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 7

1  He proceeds in exhorting them to purity of life;
2  and to bear him like affection as he does to them
3  Whereof lest he might seem to doubt, he declares what comfort he took in his afflictions
6  by the report which Titus gave of their godly sorrow,
8  which his former epistle had wrought in them;
13  and of their loving-kindness and obedience toward Titus, answerable to his former boastings of them

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 7:7

Wherewith [ηι]
Either locative case with preceding εν — en or instrumental of the relative with παρεκλητη — pareklēthē (first aorist passive indicative). “The manner in which Paul, so to speak, fondles this word (παρακαλεω — parakaleō) is most beautiful” (Vincent). [source]
In you [επ υμιν]
Over you, upon you. Your longing (την υμων επιποτησιν — tēn humōn epipothēsin). Late word from επιποτεω — epipotheō (επι — epi directive, longing towards, yearning). Only here in N.T. Mourning Old word from οδυρομαι — oduromai to lament. Only here in N.T. So that I rejoiced yet more (ωστε με μαλλον χαρηναι — hōste me mallon charēnai). Result expressed by ωστε — hōste and the second aorist passive infinitive of χαιρω — chairō with accusative of general reference. [source]
Your longing [την υμων επιποτησιν]
Late word from επιποτεω — epipotheō Only here in N.T. [source]
Mourning [οδυρμον]
Old word from οδυρομαι — oduromai to lament. Only here in N.T. So that I rejoiced yet more (ωστε με μαλλον χαρηναι — hōste me mallon charēnai). Result expressed by ωστε — hōste and the second aorist passive infinitive of χαιρω — chairō with accusative of general reference. [source]
So that I rejoiced yet more [ωστε με μαλλον χαρηναι]
Result expressed by ωστε — hōste and the second aorist passive infinitive of χαιρω — chairō with accusative of general reference. [source]
Comfort []
The manner in which Paul, so to speak, fondles this word, is most beautiful. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:4-6. [source]
Mourning [ὀδυρμόν]
Only here and Matthew 2:18. It implies a verbal expression of grief. Cebes, a disciple of Socrates, in his Pinax represents Λύπη LupeSorrow, as a woman, with her head bowed upon her breast; Ὁδύνη Oduneconsuming Grief, follows, tearing her hair. By her side is Ὁδυρμός OdurmosLamentation, a revolting, emaciated figure, whose sister is Ἁθυμία AthumiaDespondency. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 7:7

Matthew 24:3 Coming [παρουσίας]
Originally, presence, from παρεῖναι , to be present. In this sense in Philemon 2:12; 2 Corinthians 10:10. Also arrival, as in 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Peter 3:12. Of the second coming of Christ: James 5:8; 1 John 2:28; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:15. [source]
John 16:13 Will shew [ἀναγγελεῖ]
Better, as Rev., declare. Compare Mark 5:14, Mark 5:19; Acts 20:27; 2 Corinthians 7:7. Also to rehearse; Acts 14:27. Used of the formal proclamation of the Christian religion (Acts 20:20; 1 Peter 1:12; 1 John 1:5). See on Acts 19:18. [source]
Romans 1:8 Is proclaimed [καταγγέλλεται]
The different compounds of the simple verb ἀγγέλλω toannounce, are interesting. The simple verb occurs only at John 20:18. Ἁναγγέλλειν is to report with the additional idea of bringing tidings up to or back to the person receiving them. So John 5:15. The impotent man brought back information to the Jews. Compare Mark 5:14. So Christ will send the Comforter, and He will bring back to the disciples tidings of things to come. John 16:13-15. See Acts 14:27; 2 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Peter 1:12. Ἁπαγγέλλειν is to announce with a reference to the source from ( ἀπό ) which the message comes So Matthew 2:8; Acts 12:14. Compare Luke 7:22; Luke 8:34, Acts 5:22. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Καταγγέλλειν is to proclaim with authority, as commissioned to spread the tidings throughout, down among those that hear them, with the included idea of celebrating or commending. So here. Compare Acts 16:21; Acts 17:3. Thus in ἀναγγέλλειν therecipient of the news is contemplated; in ἀπαγγέλλειν thesource; in καταγγέλλειν the relation of the bearer and hearer of the message. The first is found mostly in John, Mark, and Acts; the second in the Synoptists and Acts; the third only. in the Acts and Paul. [source]

Romans 15:23 A longing [επιποτειαν]
A hapax legomenon, elsewhere επιποτησις — epipothēsis (2 Corinthians 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:11), from επιποτεω — epipotheō as in Romans 1:11. These many years (απο ικανων ετων — apo hikanōn etōn). “From considerable years.” So B C, but Aleph A D have πολλων — pollōn “from many years.” [source]
2 Corinthians 7:6 The lowly [τους ταπεινους]
See note on Matthew 11:29. Literally, low on the ground in old sense (Ezekiel 17:24). Low in condition as here; James 1:9. In 2 Corinthians 10:1 regarded as abject. In this sense in papyri. “Humility as a sovereign grace is the creation of Christianity” (Gladstone, Life, iii, p. 466). By the coming (en tēi parousiāi). Same use of parousia as in 1 Corinthians 16:7 which see. See also 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 10:10. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:6 By the coming [en tēi parousiāi)]
Same use of parousia as in 1 Corinthians 16:7 which see. See also 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 10:10. [source]
Galatians 4:15 Your own eyes [τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὑμῶν]
Better, your eyes. Eyes, as most treasured possessions. Comp. Psalm 17:8; Proverbs 7:2; Zechariah 2:8. Some have found here evidence that Paul was afflicted with disease of the eyes. See Dr. John Brown's Horae Subsecivae. Accordingly they explain these words, “You would have given me your own eyes to replace mine.” But ὑμῶν is unemphatic, your. All attempts to connect the passage with Paul's “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 7:7) are to be dismissed as fanciful. [source]
Philippians 4:1 Longed for [ἐπιπόθητοι]
Only here in the New Testament. Compare I long for you, Phlippians 1:8; and for kindred words see 2 Corinthians 7:7; Romans 15:23. [source]
Hebrews 10:27 Fiery indignation [πυρὸς ζῆλος]
For ζῆλος see on James 3:14. The radical idea of the word is ferment of spirit ( ζεῖν toboil; see Acts 18:25; Romans 12:11). This idea takes on different aspects in ζῆλος , as indignation, Acts 5:17; zeal, John 2:17; Romans 10:2; 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Philemon 3:6; envy, Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 5:20. In the last sense often with ἔπις strifeThe phrase fiery indignation, lit. indignation of fire (N.T.o) is an adaptation from Isaiah 26:11. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 7:7 mean?

not only now by the coming of him but also comfort with which he was comforted as to you relating to us - your earnest desire - mourning zeal for me so as for me the more to rejoice
οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ παρακλήσει παρεκλήθη ἐφ’ ὑμῖν ἀναγγέλλων ἡμῖν τὴν ὑμῶν ἐπιπόθησιν τὸν ὀδυρμόν ζῆλον ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ ὥστε με μᾶλλον χαρῆναι

μόνον  only 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μόνον  
Sense: only, alone, but.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
παρουσίᾳ  coming 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: παρουσία  
Sense: presence.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
παρακλήσει  comfort 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: παράκλησις  
Sense: a calling near, summons, (esp.
  with  which 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
παρεκλήθη  he  was  comforted 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: παρακαλέω  
Sense: to call to one’s side, call for, summon.
ἐφ’  as  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
ἀναγγέλλων  relating 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀναγγέλλω  
Sense: to announce, make known.
ἡμῖν  to  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑμῶν  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἐπιπόθησιν  earnest  desire 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐπιπόθησις  
Sense: longing.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὀδυρμόν  mourning 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὀδυρμός  
Sense: wailing, lamentation, mourning.
ζῆλον  zeal 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ζῆλος  
Sense: excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit.
ἐμοῦ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ὥστε  so  as 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὥστε  
Sense: so that, insomuch that.
με  for  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
μᾶλλον  the  more 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
χαρῆναι  to  rejoice 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: χαίρω  
Sense: to rejoice, be glad.