Intro
Myers-Briggs - I'm a feeler.
But I sometimes tend towards Stoicism because I value perspective.
Look at the long term view...will I be crying about it then?
This is a common view, even in the first century
Josephus on Moses:
Antiquities Of The Jews, Book 4 Chapter 8.39(327) :
Now Mosesl ived in all one hundered and twenty years; a third part of which timme, abating one month,
he was the people's ruler; and he died on the last month of the year, which is called by the Macedonians Dystrus, but
by us Adar on the first day of the month. He was one that exceeded all men that ever were in undersatnding, and made
the best useof what that understanding suggested to him. He had a very graceful way of speaking and addressing himself
to the multitude; and as to his other qualifications, he had such a full command of his passions, as if he hardly had
any such in his soul, and only knew them by their names, as rather perceiving them in other men than in himself.
Paul was depressed, and that's ok. Sadness isn't sin.
2 Cor 7:6 "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus"
Paul says that he was depressed.
Paul's depression was caused by an external focus, not an internal focus.
Paul's depression ended when he heard from the Corinthians, indicating that it was this concern that made him depressed.
Paul was depressed because of concern for the Corinthians (v5's 'conflicts without'? v5. also 2:4) and over regret for his letter
(v5's "fears within"?).
:
See also 2:4 ("out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears") and 7:8 ("though I caused you
sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it")
:
Specifically, Paul was sad until the Corinthians became sad.
Compassion does this to us...
The Corinthians were sorrowful when told of their sin.
2 Cor 7:7 [Titus] reported to us...you morning...so that I rejoiced even more.
regret; fear and sadness.
the talking heads, "my god what have i done"
the tretyakov's ivan the terrible painting by ilya repin.
Paul calls this "Godly sorrow" because it gives way to repentance.
2 Cor 7:10 "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation,
but the sorrow of the world produces death."
- you will sin.
- this should cause you sorrow.
- sorrow is an expression of a desire for righteousness.
david at nathan's confrontation...2 sam 12
israel at ezra's confrontation.
1. "Tough" People: Go on and cry.
Jesus is much more balanced than you are, and he cried. He's also much tougher than you are, but he still cried.
It's a cliche, but there's nothing wrong with being sad.
- If you have sinned, you should 'feel' sadness (ashcloth, etc is a Biblical pattern)
- Put on compassion for others ("rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep", 1 Cor 12:26)
2. "Empathetic" People: Know when to let it go.
Paul is depressed about the Corinthinas.
He's not always like that; when discipline is needed, he does it (1 Cor 5). When the cause is closed, he lets it go (2 Tim 4:14).
3. "Emotional People": Turn your sorrow into repentance.
Move towards repentence and earnestness. Our sorrow should show our sadness at violating our desires to be obedient, and should
motivate us to greater innocence.
4. Everyone: Notice that none of this is selfish.
We're not talking about a selfish pouting here. We're talking out an emotional concern for others, or a deep seated regret at sin.
Questions :
Are there any guidelines for how long we should be sad before moving to "repentance without regret" (7:10)? Or should we view these as stages at all?
Paul calls God the "God of all comfort" in 1:3; How does God comfort Paul in 2 Cor 7? How do we receive comfort from God?
What limits (if any) should we put on our ability to be "depressed" due to the actions/attitudes of another?