Verse 1
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Repent from all kinds of sin—whether in action, in thought, or in word.
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Understanding the fear of God will help you to live holy, so seek this understanding.
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Verses 2-7, 13-16
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Verses 2-3. If you want people to be open and honest with you, integrity and love are essential.
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Love your fellow believers so deeply that you would never wrong them, and that you would want to be by their side your whole life, even to dying together.
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Be bold to correct other believers when you must, as this is love, but never desire to condemn them or do them harm (verse 3-4a).
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Paul describes a great love and care that he has for the church here (2 Corinthians 2:4), and we do well to emulate this love for our churches.
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Verses 4-7, 13-16. And even during times when he endured great hardship and trouble, he found exceeding joy, which was largely influenced by the comfort he received from his friend, Titus, and in good reports from Titus about the Corinthians, who had genuinely repented and were growing!
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Understand that having a love for believers will bring great joy to you when you are around them, and especially when you see them growing (3 John 1:4). Love the church, and the church will bring you rest, comfort, and joy!
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Verses 8-11
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Receiving correction or rebuke for our sin can be painful and can cause sorrow. But this sorrow is godly because it motivates change—repentance from sinful actions.
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Sorrow that leads to repentance is gain, not loss (verse 9) (Hebrews 12:10)! Be thankful for godly sorrow!
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As such, don't despise or shy away from correction or the sadness that comes from it. It is a healthy pain that produces many godly qualities (verse 11).
Verse 12
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Paul corrected the Corinthians (especially in his first letter to them [1 Corinthians)]) because he cared for them, and correcting them showed that he cared.
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In any correction, the purpose is to love and help people.
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Have this attitude when you have to give or receive correction. See rebuke as a loving hand, not an attack.
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