_(E) 7:2-16. THE APOSTLE'S JOY IN THE CORINTHIANS' REPENTANCE_ St. Paul goes on to ask them to give him their affection, and renews his assurance of purity of deed and motive. He tells them of the suspense in which he had awaited their response to his 'severe' letter, and his joy at the return of T... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVE US] RV 'Open your hearts to us.' WE HAVE WRONGED.. CORRUPTED.. DEFRAUDED NO MAN] St. Paul is referring to charges that had been brought against him. For hints as to these, cp. 2 Corinthians 11:4; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 11:9; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 12:16; 2 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'Give us your affection; we have done no man any injury either in influence or in character or in pocket. (3) I am not returning to this subject to blame you again, for whether I live or die I have the deepest affection for you. (4) I speak freely to you as I boast of you freely to other... [ Continue Reading ]
GLORYING OF YOU] i.e. boasting about you: cp. 2 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 9:3. PARAPHRASE. '(5) For when I came to Macedonia looking for your answer to my letter, I was troubled both by conflicts with enemies and by forebodings about you. (6) But God, who comforts those who are in trouble, com... [ Continue Reading ]
'When I came to Macedonia': see Intro.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD, THAT COMFORTETH] cp. 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:4. TITUS] was the bearer of the letter to the Corinthians mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:8 : see Intro.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONSOLATION WHEREWITH, etc.] Titus was comforted by their repentance, and this comfort he passed on to St. Paul when he gave him the good news.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH I DID REPENT] The Apostle for a time feared his previous letter had been too severe. The letter was probably that of which 2 Corinthians 10-13 of the Second Epistle form the chief part: see Intro.... [ Continue Reading ]
GODLY SORROW, etc.] The contrast is between repentance and remorse, between sorrow for sin and sorrow for its consequences: cp. St. Peter and Judas. REPENTANCE TO SALVATION] cp. 'Heart-sorrow and a clear life ensuing' (Shakespeare). THE SORROW OF THE WORLD] i.e. grief that regrets not the sin, but... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HIS CAUSE THAT HAD DONE THE WRONG.. FOR HIS CAUSE THAT SUFFERED WRONG] The reference, of course, was obvious to the readers without particulars; but we are ignorant of some of the facts. It would seem that on the occasion of his brief visit St. Paul had been attacked and denounced by some leader... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'Now that all has ended well, I am thankful; and my joy is increased because Titus also rejoices at your attitude. (14) For all that I said to him in your praise has been justified, and I am not ashamed of my boasting; (15) and the affection of Titus for you has increased since he visite... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR BOASTING, etc.] Titus had evidently been rather despondent about the result of his mission with the letter when he started; but St. Paul had encouraged him by confident forecasts of the Corinthians' repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING] not dread of punishment, but anxiety to fulfil their obedience: cp. Philippians 2:12.... [ Continue Reading ]