How Can Joy Come From Sorrow?

If you remember from last week, we looked at the passage where we are not to be unequally yoked. That's the idea of the wooden beam you put on oxen to direct them. The Apostle Paul says, don't be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Don't join in a relationship that's difficult to get out of, because it requires compromise or changing your beliefs. The unbeliever won't change without salvation.

Don't get into lifelong committed relationships with unbelievers—in friendships, romance leading to marriage, or business partnerships. Paul now explains why, and it relates to repentance: changing your mind about sin to change your actions. Being yoked with an unbeliever hinders repentance, as it leads to compromise and sin.

The big idea of this passage is peculiar: Christians can get joy from sorrow. There's a sadness that's profoundly important, a huge advantage. The world seeks comfort and happiness by avoiding pain, accumulating things and people. But true, permanent joy for Christians starts with a specific kind of sadness.

1. Understanding the Difference Between Ministry and Meanness

Paul demonstrates his authentic apostleship: "We have wronged no one. We have corrupted no one. We have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for you are in our hearts to die together and to live together."

Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you. I have great pride in you. I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction I am overflowing with joy. For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

2 Corinthians 7:2-6

Paul faced false apostles at Corinth who took advantage of people. He showed his genuine ministry through suffering for them. His bold, stern tone in 1 Corinthians seemed harsh amid rampant sin—like a man sleeping with his mother, drunkenness at communion. Paul refocused them on Christ crucified, fighting for them, not against them.

Real ministry exposes sin, causing sadness. Distinguish it from meanness. At my former church, a man arrested for resisting police was angry we advised submission to authorities. We fought for his soul, not against him. Paul fought for the Corinthians to repent from immorality and refocus on the cross.

To derive joy from sorrow, fellowship with God's Word and those who deliver it—pastors, brothers and sisters confronting sin tenaciously. Real ministry makes you sad over sin, leading to repentance and lasting joy. Ministries offering only happiness avoid exposing sin, leaving you without desperate need for Christ's grace.

2. Understanding the Difference Between Repentance and Regret

For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I did not regret it. Though I did regret it—for I see that the letter grieved you, but only for a while—as it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10

Paul grieved them with his letter but rejoiced because it led to repentance. Godly grief produces repentance leading to salvation without regret; worldly grief produces death. Regret here means sorrow over losing the sin, not the sin itself—like regretting getting caught or no longer enjoying drunken weekends.

True repentance hates the sin and rejoices in being free from it. Examine your response: Are you sad because exposed, or sick of the sin and eager to be rid of it? Godly grief leads to salvation without regret for holiness; worldly grief regrets losing the pleasure of sin.

3. Understanding the Difference Between Sin and Suffering

Joy in this passage ties to repentance from godly grief. We often see sin as good and its absence as suffering. But Jesus, sinless, was the "man of sorrows" (Isaiah 53), suffering in a sinful world, yet endured with joy (Hebrews 12).

Therefore we have been comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

2 Corinthians 7:13-16

Suffering without sin—being sad over sin and repenting—produces joy, like Christ. Paul's "suffering" for them dealt with sin; sin promises comfort but ruins.

4. The Seven Marks of Effective Repentance

Godly grief from gospel ministry (like 1 Corinthians) produces repentance. Verse 11 lists seven marks, all emotional pain over sin, aided by gospel exposure and accountability:

For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

2 Corinthians 7:11

1. Earnestness: Swift diligence to forsake sin immediately—ditch temptations now.
2. Eagerness to clear yourselves (apologia): Defend with Christ's blood; reject Satan's guilt, embrace innocence.
3. Indignation: Godly anger and annoyance at sin—no longer fun or freeing.
4. Fear: Healthy fear of God's discipline, proving sonship (Hebrews 12:3-10).
5. Longing: Desire to be rid of sin, more like Christ.
6. Zeal: Intense positive interest in God's Word and apostles' teaching.
7. Punishment: Readiness for discipline as loving father's proof of family.

A gospel-saturated church exposes sin, making people sad to produce repentance and joy. Come to church to confront sin weekly, worship, and glorify God. Sadness over sin turns to joy through repentance.