Consolation (Series: Lessons On 2 Corinthians) Series

September 18, 2014

Tom Lowe

The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians

Lesson II.C.2.c: Consolation. (7:13-16)

2nd Corinthians 7:13-16 (NKJV)

13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Introduction

The apostle Paul was not disappointed with the believers in Corinth, which he indicated to Titus; and though they faced an uncertain future, he could joyfully declare the confidence he had in them for the time to come. Included in this short passage are the duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the troubles of the pastor, by showing him respect and obedience; the former must demonstrate his care of them, and cherish the flock by giving testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness

Commentary

13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

Therefore we were comforted in your comfort

Since my Epistle led you to express your true feelings towards me, "we have been comforted;" and in addition to our comfort, we rejoice at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by all you. That was a new source of happiness for Paul. The intense sympathy of his nature would have made him share the disappointment of his representative, and in like manner he now shares his joy. The messenger had shown himself to be his true son in the faith.

The phrase "your comfort," seems to mean the happiness which they had, or might reasonably be expected to have by obeying the instructions of Paul, and in the repentance which they had displayed by the changes made in their lives. Paul had spoken of no other consolation or comfort than this, and the idea seems to be that they were happy people and would continue to be happy by obeying the commands of God. This fact gave Paul additional joy, and he could not help but rejoice that they had removed from their lives, the cause of the offense, and, as the result, they would not be exposed to the displeasure of God. Had they not repented and put away the evil, the consequences to them would have been deep distress. As it was, they would be blessed and happy.

The comfortable situation that the church was currently enjoying, was the effect of a godly sorrow; by which it appeared that their repentance was genuine and that they were no longer guilty in the matter that had given them so much trouble; and that Paul’s epistle had been well received and acted upon for the welfare and more comfortable condition of the church in the future.

Yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy of Titus"

It was not only the repentance of the Corinthians, and the blessed effects which it brought that gave rise to joy in the apostle; but what added to it, and increased it, was the joy of Titus, which came upon his understanding of your affairs, and your ready obedience to the Epistle which I wrote to you. Titus had been kindly received, and hospitably entertained, and had become very attached to them. To Paul, this was another occasion for joy—“and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” (2 Corinthians 7:7). Such is the union between the true members of Christ that they are comforted by one another’s comforts and afflicted by one another’s sorrows and grief. Paul’s joy resulted from the joy that Titus felt during the time he spent with the believers in Corinth.

Because his spirit was refreshed by you all

“Because his spirit was (has been, and is) refreshed by you all,” not by one only, or a few, but by all the members of the church; Titus was received by them with great respect, provided for in a liberal manner, treated with all humanity and courteousness; and, above all, his mind was eased and filled with unexpected pleasure, to find them in such an agreeable frame of mind; so aware of their neglect of duty, so ready to reform, so united in themselves, so concerned about the apostle, and so determined to abide by the directives, ordinances, and truths of the Gospel, against the teaching of all false teachers.