屬天的難過已經轉化為了悔改 — 哥林多後書讀經隨筆 第7章

哥林多後書第七章 保羅說他了解到，哥林多的弟兄們讀了他的上一封信後感到很難過。保羅說他曾為此感覺到懊悔，但是他現在不再為此懊悔了，而是歡喜。這是因為弟兄們的難過是屬天的，是暫時的，並且已經轉化為了悔改，這悔改讓弟兄們歸向了耶穌基督，從而受益而不是虧損。可見，保羅寫信的目的是造就弟兄們，堅固弟兄姐妹們的福音，而不是無端難為或責備弟兄們。

林後7:8 我先前寫信叫你們憂愁．我後來雖然懊悔、如今卻不懊悔．因我知道那信叫你們憂愁、不過是暫時的。
For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.
 林後7:9 如今我歡喜、不是因你們憂愁、是因你們從憂愁中生出懊悔來．你們依著 神的意思憂愁、凡事就不至於因我們受虧損了。
I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.
 林後7:10 因為依著 神的意思憂愁、就生出沒有後悔的懊悔來、以致得救．但世俗的憂愁、是叫人死。
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.
 林後7:11 你看、你們依著 神的意思憂愁、從此就生出何等的殷勤、自訴、自恨、恐懼、想念、熱心、責罰．〔或作自責〕在這一切事上你們都表明自己是潔淨的。
For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
 林後8:2 就是他們在患難中受大試煉的時候、仍有滿足的快樂、在極窮之間、還格外顯出他們樂捐的厚恩。
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
 林後8:3 我可以證明他們是按著力量、而且也過了力量、自己甘心樂意的捐助．
For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
 林後8:4 再三的求我們、準他們在這供給聖徒的恩情上有分．
begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
 林後8:5 並且他們所作的、不但照我們所想望的、更照 神的旨意、先把自己獻給主、又歸附了我們。
This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.