2 Corinthians 7:8-9

Paul admitted that he had regretted sending the severe letter after he had done so. He had thought that it was too harsh. Fortunately his readers responded to it as he had hoped they would, though it had caused them some pain at first. Fortunately it had not led the church into excessive discouragement but genuine repentance. The Christians had changed their thinking and their behavior. Evidently the church decided to defend Paul against a vocal critic of his (2 Corinthians 7:12). The church’s failure to take this stand would have resulted in loss at the judgment seat of Christ if not immediately. Therefore Paul presently did not regret sending the severe letter.