2 Corinthians 7 and 8 — Encouragement With Titus
Introduction: Titus had gone to Corinth while Paul was in Macedonia, and he was well received by the Corinthians. Paul was very pleased when Titus was reunited with him, but even more so because of the good report Titus brought back from Corinth. As Paul continued preparing his letter, he commended Titus and other workers who were partners with him in spreading the gospel of Christ; and expressed the joy that both he and Titus had in the report brought back from Corinth.
NOTE: Bible passages are from the American KJV.
A — Titus Brought a Report from Corinth That Encouraged Paul
2 Corinthians 7 “1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God… 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fights, within were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more… 10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort… In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
Comments: Paul made reference to the comfort of knowing God will receive those who have separated themselves in body and spirit from the fleshly desires of the world because of the faith they have in Christ. When Paul had gone into Macedonia he had outward fights and inward fears that were troubling him, but the news that Titus brought to him was a blessing from God, who comforts those who are cast down. Paul was blessed to hear that the Corinthians were eager for Paul to make a return visit to them, because he had been concerned about any lasting negative effect of part of his previous letter. But Godly sorrow for a season can work repentance to salvation; but the sorrow of the world works death. Paul wrote that they sorrowed after a godly sort, and thereby in all things they had approved themselves to be clear in this matter.
B — Titus Had Been Well Received by the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 7 “12 Why, though I wrote to you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. 13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yes, 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 spoke 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 remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.”
Comments: Paul stated that he had written not so much for the one who suffered wrong, or for the one who had done the wrong; but that they would know Paul had care in the sight of God for those at Corinth. And Paul saw the joy in Titus as he returned to give his report, and what Titus had seen in the Corinthians verified the boasting Paul had made about them in the Lord. Paul took the opportunity to state that as he had spoken to the Corinthians in truth, it was now evident that what he had told Titus about them was also true — which gave Titus a strong affection in his heart for them, and Paul rejoiced at his own confidence in them.
C — Paul Wrote about the Liberal Sharing by the Churches of Macedonia
2 Corinthians 8 “1 Moreover, brothers, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yes, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves… 7 Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich… 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”
Comments: Paul wanted to share how the churches of Macedonia gave evidence of the grace of God even in the midst of a great trial of affliction — they had abundance of joy and gave generously beyond what could have been expected from their resources. Paul said he knew it was not really necessary to ask the Corinthians to help supply the needs of other saints since they had already demonstrated some preparation; but he still wanted to encourage them to follow through. This follows the example of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. Paul referred to the time God gave just the right amount of daily supply of Manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:15–18): those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no lack.
D — Paul Gave Commendation to Titus and to His Other Fellow Workers
2 Corinthians 8 “16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went to you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches… 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men… 23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brothers be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Why show you to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.”
Comments: Paul wrote that he was thankful that God had put warm care into the heart of Titus for the Corinthians, because Titus did not need to be persuaded by Paul to go to them. And Paul sent another unnamed brother in the Lord with Titus, well known by many of the churches as a fervent minister of the gospel of Christ. Paul expressed the sending of these fellow workers as an abundance of sharing on his part with great confidence in the Corinthians, providing honest things not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. Paul gave assurance that if any at Corinth had questions about the men he sent: Titus was his partner and fellow helper concerning them, and the other brothers were the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for these passages which display some of the personal feelings of the Apostle Paul for the value he placed on his own need for loving fellowship with other believers. He desired to be set apart from the world, but not from the affection that followers of Christ need to share with each other. From the example of an apostle, may I have humility as I use whatever gifts you have graciously given to me for your glory, as I interact with others who also know your unsurpassable gift of salvation. Paul had good things to say about the Corinthians, and his spirit was lifted by the way Titus reported about the warm reception he had received as he visited Corinth in Paul’s behalf. Paul wrote in very complimentary fashion about Titus and other companions who were dedicated to the work of the Lord; and he was confident that the Corinthians would receive them warmly. Help me Lord to work with others in the body of Christ to promote love and service to each other. Amen, and amen.
Published 21 January 2021