2 Corinthians 7:8
New International Version
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—

New Living Translation
I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.

English Standard Version
For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.

Berean Standard Bible
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it—for I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time—

Berean Literal Bible
For if also I have grieved you in the letter, I do not regret it. For even if I did regret it, I see that the letter grieved you, even if for an hour.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.

New American Standard Bible
For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—

NASB 1995
For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it— for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—

NASB 1977
For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—

Legacy Standard Bible
For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—

Amplified Bible
For even though I did grieve you with my letter, I do not regret it [now]; though I did regret it —for I see that the letter hurt you, though only for a little while—

Christian Standard Bible
For even if I grieved you with my letter, I don’t regret it. And if I regretted it—since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a while—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For even if I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it—even though I did regret it since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a little while.

American Standard Version
For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it ( for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),

Contemporary English Version
I don't feel bad anymore, even though my letter hurt your feelings. I did feel bad at first, but I don't now. I know that the letter hurt you for a while.

English Revised Version
For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it, though I did regret; for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If my letter made you uncomfortable, I'm not sorry. But since my letter did make you uncomfortable for a while, I was sorry.

Good News Translation
For even if that letter of mine made you sad, I am not sorry I wrote it. I could have been sorry when I saw that it made you sad for a while.

International Standard Version
If I made you sad with my letter, I do not regret it, although I did regret it then. I see that the letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while.

Majority Standard Bible
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it?For I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time?

NET Bible
For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time).

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 was but for a season.

Weymouth New Testament
For if I gave you pain by that letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it then. I see that that letter, even though for a time it gave you pain, had a salutary effect.

World English Bible
For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not regret—if even I regretted—for I perceive that the letter, even if for an hour, made you sorry.

Berean Literal Bible
For if also I have grieved you in the letter, I do not regret it. For even if I did regret it, I see that the letter grieved you, even if for an hour.

Young's Literal Translation
because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do not repent -- if even I did repent -- for I perceive that the letter, even if for an hour, did make you sorry.

Smith's Literal Translation
For if I also grieved you in the epistle, I regret not, and if I did regret: for I see that that epistle, if also for a time, grieved you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For although I made you sorrowful by my epistle, I do not repent; and if I did repent, seeing that the same epistle (although but for a time) did make you sorrowful;

Catholic Public Domain Version
For though I made you sorrowful by my epistle, I do not repent. And if I did repent, but only for a time, having realized that the same epistle made you sorrowful,

New American Bible
For even if I saddened you by my letter, I do not regret it; and if I did regret it ([for] I see that that letter saddened you, if only for a while),

New Revised Standard Version
For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly).
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For even though I made you feel sorry with the epistle, I do not regret, even though it has caused sorrow: for I can see that though that very epistle has made you feel sorry, the sorrow was only for an hour.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For although I grieved you by an epistle, I have no regret, even though I was sorry, for I saw that the same epistle, though it grieved you for an hour,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For although I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that the same letter gave you sorrow, though but for a short time.

Godbey New Testament
But if I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret it, if indeed I did regret it; for I see that, if that letter indeed grieved you for an hour,

Haweis New Testament
For if I grieved you by a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that this letter made you sorry, though but for a season.

Mace New Testament
For tho' I was sorry my letter gave you some uneasiness, I do not repent of it, perceiving, that the uneasiness you had from that letter, did not dwell upon your minds.

Weymouth New Testament
For if I gave you pain by that letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it then. I see that that letter, even though for a time it gave you pain, had a salutary effect.

Worrell New Testament
because, even if I did make you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it; for I see that that letter made you sorry, though but for a season.

Worsley New Testament
For though I grieved you by my letter, I do not repent, though I did repent; for I perceive that that epistle grieved you, though it was but for a little while.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Joy in the Corinthians
7and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more. 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time. 9And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 2:4
For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? / Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. ...

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

Galatians 4:19-20
My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, / how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

1 Corinthians 4:14
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

2 Corinthians 1:23-24
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. / Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.

2 Corinthians 2:1-3
So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. / For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved? / I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

2 Corinthians 12:21
I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

2 Corinthians 13:10
This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Romans 9:2
I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

Acts 20:31
Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Psalm 30:5
For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Isaiah 57:18
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,


Treasury of Scripture

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same letter has made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

though I made.

2 Corinthians 7:6,11
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; …

2 Corinthians 2:2-11
For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? …

Lamentations 3:32
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

though I did.

Exodus 5:22,23
And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? …

Jeremiah 20:7-9
O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me…

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Caused Effect Epistle Grieved Hour Hurt Letter Pain Perceive Regret Regretted Repent Season Sorrow Sorry Time
2 Corinthians 7
1. He proceeds in exhorting them to purity of life;
2. and to bear him like affection as he does to them.
3. Whereof lest he might seem to doubt, he declares what comfort he took in his afflictions
6. by the report which Titus gave of their godly sorrow,
8. which his former epistle had wrought in them;
13. and of their loving-kindness and obedience toward Titus, answerable to his former boastings of them.














Even if I caused you sorrow
The phrase "caused you sorrow" is rooted in the Greek word "λυπέω" (lypeō), which means to grieve or distress. In the context of Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church, this sorrow is not merely emotional pain but a spiritual conviction. Paul acknowledges the discomfort his previous letter brought, yet he understands that true repentance often begins with sorrow. Historically, this reflects the pastoral heart of Paul, who, like a shepherd, is willing to inflict temporary pain for the sake of long-term spiritual health.

by my letter
The "letter" refers to what is often called the "severe letter," a correspondence from Paul to the Corinthians that is not preserved in the New Testament. This letter was a necessary rebuke, addressing issues within the church. The historical context here is crucial; the early church faced many challenges, including moral and doctrinal errors. Paul's letters were instrumental in guiding and correcting these early believers, emphasizing the authority of apostolic teaching.

I do not regret it
The Greek word for "regret" is "μεταμέλομαι" (metamelomai), which implies a change of mind or feeling remorse. Paul asserts that he does not regret sending the letter because it served a higher purpose. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of standing firm in truth, even when it is uncomfortable. The ultimate goal is the spiritual growth and maturity of the believers.

Though I did regret it
Here, Paul admits to a moment of human emotion, where he felt "μεταμέλομαι" (metamelomai) or regret. This duality shows Paul's deep empathy and love for the Corinthians. It reflects the tension every Christian leader faces: the balance between truth and love. Historically, this moment of vulnerability is significant, as it shows that even the apostles experienced inner conflict, yet they remained committed to God's will.

I see that my letter hurt you
The word "hurt" is again related to "λυπέω" (lypeō), indicating that the letter caused pain. This pain, however, was not without purpose. In the scriptural context, godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Paul’s acknowledgment of their hurt demonstrates his awareness of the impact of his words and his pastoral concern for their well-being.

but only for a little while
This phrase reassures the Corinthians that the sorrow was temporary and purposeful. The Greek "πρὸς ὥραν" (pros hōran) suggests a limited time frame. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the transient nature of earthly suffering compared to eternal joy. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, it underscores the belief that trials and corrections are momentary and serve to refine and strengthen faith.

(8) For though I made you sorry with a letter.--Better, For even if, and, as the Greek has the article, with my letter. This Titus had told him; and commonly to have caused pain to others would have been a source of grief to him, but he cannot bring himself now to say, I regret. (This is, perhaps, better than repent. On the words, see Notes on Matthew 21:29; Matthew 27:3.) He owns, however, that there had been a moment, either on first hearing of their grief or in his previous anxiety, when he had half regretted that he had written so strongly. Now he sees that that grief was but transient, and he trusts that the good wrought by it will be abiding.

Verse 8. - With a letter; rather, with my Epistle. Probably the First Epistle, though some suppose that the allusion is to a lost intermediate letter. I do not repent, though I did repent; better, I do not regret it. Every one has experienced the anxiety which has followed the despatch of some painful letter. If it does good, well; but perhaps it may do harm. The severity was called for; it seemed a duty to write severely. But how will the rebuke be received? Might we not have done better if we had used language less uncompromisingly stern? As St. Paul thought with intense anxiety that perhaps in his zeal for truth he may have irrevocably alienated the feelings of the Corinthians, whom, with all their grave faults, he loved, a moment came when he actually regretted what he had written. He himself assures us that he had this feeling. Those who try all kinds of fantastic hypotheses and tortuous exegesis to explain away this phrase as though it were inconsistent with St. Paul's inspiration, go to Scripture to find there their own a priori dogmas, not to seek what Scripture really says. The doctrine of inspiration is not the fetish into which it has been degraded by formal systems of scholastic theology. Inspiration was not a mechanical dictation of words, but the influence of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of men who retained all their own natural emotions. For I perceive, etc. There are various ways of taking this clause. Nothing, however, is simpler than to regard it as a parenthetic remark (for I see that that Epistle, though it were but for a time, saddened you). Though it were but for a season. (For the phrase, see Philemon 1:15; Galatians 2:5.) He means to say that their grief will at any rate cease when they receive this letter, and he can bear the thought of having pained them when he remembers the brevity of their grief and the good effects which resulted from it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

I caused you sorrow
ἐλύπησα (elypēsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3076: To pain, grieve, vex. From lupe; to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[my]
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

letter,
ἐπιστολῇ (epistolē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1992: A letter, dispatch, epistle, message. From epistello; a written message.

I do not regret [it].
μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3338: From meta and the middle voice of melo; to care afterwards, i.e. Regret.

Although
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I did regret [it],
μετεμελόμην (metemelomēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3338: From meta and the middle voice of melo; to care afterwards, i.e. Regret.

I now see
βλέπω (blepō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

[my]
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

letter
ἐπιστολὴ (epistolē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1992: A letter, dispatch, epistle, message. From epistello; a written message.

[caused]
ἐκείνη (ekeinē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

sorrow,
ἐλύπησεν (elypēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3076: To pain, grieve, vex. From lupe; to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad.

but only
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

for
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

a short time.
ὥραν (hōran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 7:8 For though I made you sorry (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 7:7
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