What is godly sorrow according to 2 Corinthians 7:10?
Godly sorrow is a godly regret over wrong done, which works repentance—a change of mind—unto salvation, with no lasting regret. In this context that salvation dealt with the individual sin situation, not eternal soul salvation, and worldly sorrow works death without saving grace.
Les explains that godly sorrow is a godly regret over something done that is wrong. It works repentance, or a change of mind, to salvation, and it is not something a true believer will ever be sorry for. He notes he has never met a genuine believer who wished he had never become a Christian. In the situation being addressed, this salvation was not the eternal saving of the soul but the correction of the individual sin situation; it had to be dealt with, and it was. By contrast, the sorrow of the world works death if no saving grace is involved. The Corinthians looked at the matter after a godly sort—as God would look at it—realized its sinfulness, and it produced carefulness, clearing of themselves, indignation, fear, desire, zeal, and revenge.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
More Questions
What does 'salvation' mean in 2 Corinthians 7:10?
In this passage, the 'salvation' connected to the individual sin situation was not the eternal saving of the soul but the salvation of the time or situation, which had to be corrected and was corrected.