What Does 2 Corinthians 7:11 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Sorrow turned toward God does not end as pain; it works itself into a chain of accountable action.
THE MEANING
Here, sorrow turned toward God moves beyond pain into urgency, an answer, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and redress. Its fruit becomes visible in your response: the matter no longer rests in feeling alone, but can be faced with clarity.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that remorse itself makes things right.
THE ROOT
κατειργάσατο
kateirgasato
GROWS FROM
ἐργ-
erg-
work, deed, activity
“wrought” in this verse is kateirgasato. The work-root makes the list a result, not just an inventory of emotion: sorrow does something in you. Its effect takes shape as responses that can be seen in the matter at hand.
ALSO GROWS
ergon: work, deed
ἔργον
This noun from the same word-family makes the outcome concrete: the verse describes sorrow issuing in deeds, not remaining a feeling.
ergazomai: work, produce
ἐργάζομαι
This verb shares the work-root and echoes the verse’s claim that sorrow brings something about in you.
σπουδήν
spoudēn
GROWS FROM
σπευδ-
speud-
hasten, press forward, be eager
Carefulness can sound like caution, while this word-family carries earnestness and urgency. The sorrow described here moves you toward addressing the matter rather than leaving it as private concern.
ALSO GROWS
speudō: hasten, be eager
σπεύδω
This related verb reveals the forward movement inside the earnestness named here.
spoudazō: be diligent, make an earnest effort
σπουδάζω
This related verb shows the same eagerness becoming sustained effort.
ἀπολογίαν
apologian
GROWS FROM
λογ-
log-
word, speech, account
“clearing of yourselves” in this verse is apologian. This word carries the sense of an answer or defense, so the clearing here is more than an inward feeling of innocence: it is an account given about the matter. The verse places that answer among concrete responses, alongside indignation and redress.
ALSO GROWS
logos: word, speech, account
λόγος
This is the speech-root inside the word for a defense, revealing an answer that can be put into words.
apologeomai: answer in defense, defend oneself
ἀπολογέομαι
This related verb shows the same answer-making movement expressed as an action.
THE PATTERN
An inward turning becomes visible through the concrete fruit it brings forth.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.THE THREAD
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.Verse 10 uses λύπη (lupē, sorrow or grief), and verse 11 uses λυπέω (lupeō, grieve), words from the same family. Verse 10 names the different directions sorrow can take; verse 11 opens up the fruits of sorrow turned toward God.
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