Did Paul regret causing the Corinthians sorrow with his letter?
Paul did not regret causing the Corinthians sorrow by his first letter, even though it grieved them. He says he does not repent—better understood as regret—because the correction had to be done. The sorrow was necessary for addressing their problems, and Titus later brought good news of their affection for him.
Les explains that Paul had written the Corinthians a letter in which he had to dress them down severely, addressing their problems (the first Corinthian letter). Although it made them sorry, Paul says he does not repent—or, better, regret—because it had to be done. Titus brought good news from Corinth: the people still loved Paul and held him in high esteem, and Paul rejoiced all the more. Les notes how human Paul was, and how much a word of compliment mattered to him, but the correction itself was necessary and not regretted.
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
Which letter was Paul talking about when he said he made the Corinthians sorry with a letter?
Paul was talking about his first letter to the Corinthian congregation, written from Ephesus, in which he had to dress them down severely and address their problems, causing them sorrow. That letter is the first Corinthian letter, not the second, and Paul did not regret sending it because it was necessary.
What letter is Paul talking about in 2 Corinthians 7:8?
Paul is referring to his first letter to the Corinthians—the first Corinthian letter. He had to address their problems and make them sorry, but he did not regret or repent of sending it to them because that correction was necessary.
More Questions
Why did Paul not regret making the Corinthians sorry with his letter?
Even though Paul made the Corinthians sorry with his first letter, he did not repent of it — better rendered regret — because it had to be done.