2 Corinthians 7:12-16 meaning

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended (v. 12a). Paul explains his purpose in writing what he described as a letter that produced sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8). He did not write it primarily for the sake of the one who accused him or to defend himself. His primary purpose in writing the letter leading to sorrow was for the integrity of the church and the Corinthian believers: But that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God (v. 12b).

Paul had affirmed earlier in this letter that his conscience was clear in regard to who he was and what his message was. He also commended the “manifestation of truth” unto “every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2). Now he is telling the Corinthians that because of their godly sorrow that led to repentance before God, their earnestness or devotion to Paul (on our behalf) was plain in the sight of God.

The grammar of this translation seems odd, in that your earnestness on Paul’s behalf might be made known to you. It would not seem that people would need their own earnestness to be shown to themselves. Another way of translating this verse follows:

“If, then, I also wrote to you -- not for his cause who did wrong, nor for his cause who did suffer wrong, but for our diligence in your behalf being manifested unto you before God” (Young’s Literal Translation).

This translation gives us insight to see that Paul’s desire in writing the letter that produced sorrow was not as much to solve the immediate problem. It was rather that Paul might properly exercise his stewardship as a mentor before God.

This is consistent with Paul’s admonition that everyone ought to prioritize how God views their actions above all else, and stop worrying either about how other people respond or what others think of us (1 Corinthians 3:7, 13, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Although Paul was exhilarated that the Corinthians repented and did the right thing, as evidenced in the prior passage, his primary aim was to be a good steward.

If being a good steward in the sight of God was Paul’s primary aim then why did he begin to doubt himself and wonder whether he should have sent the letter that led to sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8)? It would seem that he began to doubt whether his sending of the letter was proper stewardship, because if it led to further division he would not have been being a good mentor.

This can be encouraging to us, knowing that the great Apostle Paul struggled with knowing what action was best in leading, exhorting, encouraging and disciplining those entrusted to his care. A key application we can take is that all we can do is our best. But we can also take that our primary focus ought to be to do what is right in God’s sight.

Paul continues, saying: For this reason we have been comforted (v. 13a). The we would seem to primarily be him, but also would include Titus, Timothy, and Silvanus (2 Corinthians 1:1, 19).

The this reason would seem to tie back to Paul being comforted that he has been a good steward of his mentorship of his spiritual children in Corinth. This is in the perfect tense, signifying ongoing action, so he could mean he and his team are continually being comforted.

What was the reason for this comfort? Paul had exercised good stewardship of his gift. He knows this because his chastisement of the people in the church produced repentance. This led to deliverance from the adverse consequences of sin which will inevitably include division (2 Corinthians 7:10). Their pursuit of the truth further led to correction of the church controversy. In spite of Paul’s comfort, he is even happier for Titus:

And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all (v. 13b).

In 2 Corinthians 2:13, Paul had written, “I had no rest for my spirit” because Titus had not met him in Troas as originally planned. Paul had desired his encouragement and his report on the result of his letter to the Corinthians that “caused you sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:8).

Now, having received the positive report from Titus concerning the positive impact of his letter and their acceptance and care of Titus, Paul’s spirit, or his inner being, was comforted. When Paul saw that Titus’s spirit had been refreshed by his visit to Corinth, Paul went from being comforted to rejoicing: Paul rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus.

Titus was refreshed in his inner being. Perhaps this was because he watched and experienced the godly sorrow that led to repentance without regret from the Corinthian believers. The truth and justice in love that the church had embraced encouraged Titus. It also seems that their care spilled over to him.

We can imagine Titus had apprehensions as he carried the letter of Paul to the church. It is natural to be concerned about the prospect of conflict. He was only the messenger, but the one who had sent the message, Paul, would not be present. Therefore, Titus would represent him.

Further, if the Corinthians’ response to the letter was one of hostility or anger at Paul, Titus could be the one who took the brunt of their unhappiness. That was certainly a pattern they had seen before, as when Paul’s enemies in Thessalonica persecuted Jason and others when they did not find Paul (Acts 17:5-8).

However, as they repented, their treatment and acceptance of Titus was a manifestation of the love of Christ. Titus was refreshed by what he saw and experienced. Apparently Paul had predicted to Titus his confidence that the Corinthians would do the right thing. He says: For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame (v. 14a).

Apparently Paul boasted to Titus about the character and dependability of the Corinthians. It appears Paul sent Titus to Corinth with the letter that led to sorrow and predicted to Titus that he would be well received. In this prediction or boast, Paul was not put to shame because the Corinthians came through as he had told Titus to expect.

Now Paul can declare that by their loving acceptance and reception of Titus, they did not embarrass him, as he was not put to shame. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth (v. 14b).

Paul declares that he has only spoken truth to the Corinthians, both while he was with them in the beginning of the church and in his letters to the church. Not just in some things, but in all things.

Now he can say so also our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. Just as all things he spoke to the Corinthians was the truth, now his boasting of the Corinthians’ good character has now also proved to be the truth.

Paul was confident that the Corinthians would receive Titus well, but there was genuine joy as the churched proved themselves in their relationship to Titus.

This was not only how Paul felt and believed. It was also how Titus was affected: His affection abounds all the more toward you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling (v. 15).

Both Paul and Titus could think back to 2 Corinthians 2:9 where Paul wrote, “For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.”

It is to this obedience that Paul is referring. It was not just obedience of the few, but obedience of you all. In context, it would seem this applies to all except the one who was disciplined, who Paul later admonished be restored (2 Corinthians 2:6-7).

The word affection is a strong word that can be translated as the seat of all human emotions, or the total personality at the deepest level. Paul has made his affection for the Corinthians known throughout the letter and now he brings Titus into this relationship. Titus remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. This apparently encouraged him at a deep, spiritual level.

They had shown obedience by receiving Paul’s letter and responding with the kind of godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9). This apparently made an indelible impression on the life of Titus. He was received as the messenger from Paul and from God with fear and trembling. The Corinthians apparently treated the words of Paul as being instruction from God.

Paul said that when he came to the Corinthians, that he “was with them in weakness and in fear and in much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3). This phrase “fear and trembling” comes from the Old Testament and is used in the New Testament only by Paul (1 Corinthians 2:3, Philippians 2:12, Ephesians 6:5, and here in 2 Corinthians 7:15).

These words are used in the Old Testament in the context of worship as well as being in the presence of a majestic, holy God, as in Psalm 2:11. It is also used in God’s protection of His people, as in Isaiah 19:16.

Here it is the reaction of the Corinthians as they receive the messenger, Titus, as the messenger from Paul. But they are also receiving the message as from a divine messenger from God. This is appropriate, as Paul was an Apostle of the Lord.

This fear and trembling led to a reaction of obedience. The obedience came about because of their repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). As a result of their obedience, Paul has great confidence in the Corinthians: I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you (v. 16).

Certainly Paul’s confidence in the Corinthian church had been put to the test. He boasted in them, but still was concerned when Titus was delayed in coming to report.

Now, however, after receiving Titus and his report, his confidence has not been in vain. He can rejoice in everything concerning the Corinthian church and the believers there as they have proven themselves to him and also to God. Rejoice is a wonderful word that comes from the fulfillment of what is Paul’s central focus in this letter, living out the reality of our new identity as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The way for believers to live as new creations in Christ is to set aside the old nature, which desires to sin, and instead obey the Spirit of Christ within us (Romans 6:16). The old nature is still within us, and when we obey it, it leads to the fruits of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20). The Corinthians definitely struggled with this, as does anyone, as evidenced by Paul’s concern that he would encounter fleshly behavior when he came to visit again (2 Corinthians 12:20).

These Corinthians who are “in Christ” have received the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18) and “the word [or message] of reconciliation.” The Corinthian believers, through the message of reconciliation given by Paul and through their repentance and obedience to this message, have been reconciled to God and been made a new creation in Christ. Through their repentance they were now reconciled to the Apostle Paul and his ministry team, including Titus.

So, Paul, with great affection and confidence, can declare I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you (v 16). Paul’s confidence is in their integrity to walk in obedience. That they would work for the approval of God, and a good report before Him on the day of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). That they would prefer to seek an “eternal weight of glory” that God will reward to all who suffer for His name (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Given this confidence, Paul will now proceed to exhort the Corinthians to participate in a good work of alleviating the suffering of their fellow believers in Judea. These would be Jewish believers suffering persecution for their faith. Paul desired to alleviate their suffering. He likely also desired to give to the Jews a witness from the Gentiles (Romans 11:11).