For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 CORINTHIANS 7:10KJV
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2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 7:10 mean?

2 Corinthians 7:10 contrasts two kinds of sorrow. Paul says sorrow connected with God leads a person to a change of heart and direction, ending in salvation, or rescue. By contrast, sorrow belonging to the world produces death.

Paul is explaining why he was glad that his earlier letter had caused the Corinthians sorrow. After describing their response in verse 9, he gives the reason in verse 10: the outcome of their sorrow matters.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 7:10

  • “godly” — θεός (theos) and κατά (kata): These words carry the sense of “according to God.” The phrase describes sorrow in relation to God, rather than merely saying that the sorrow is intense.
  • “repentance” — μετάνοια (metanoia): The word often means a change of mind or heart. Here it names the change that godly sorrow brings about.
  • “not to be repented of” — ἀμεταμέλητος (ametamelētos): The word carries the sense of “not regretted.” The KJV places this phrase after “salvation,” marking the outcome as one that brings no regret.

Why 2 Corinthians 7:10 matters

  • The verse distinguishes the result of sorrow from sorrow itself. The Corinthians’ response showed “carefulness” and a desire to clear themselves, as verse 11 explains.
  • Paul’s contrast gives weight to the phrase “of the world.” He sets that sorrow against sorrow “according to God” and describes its end as “death.”
  • Paul’s words also explain his concern for the Corinthians. In verse 12, he says his letter was meant to make their care for Paul and his companions clear to them before God.

Where else these words appear

“of” Greek G278 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

“sorrow” Greek G3077 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
  • John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
  • 2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

“worketh” Greek G2716 · used in 23 verses

  • Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
  • Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:11 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.

“repentance” Greek G3341 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
  • Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.