The Truth comes to Corinth Part 2 Volume 28

Paul Rejoices upon Titus’ Return and Report

2 Corinthians 7:13-16 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. For if I have boasted anything 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. 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. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. (KJV)

Before Paul even wrote the first letter to the Corinthian Church (which had much rebuke and correction in it), he had been assuring Brother Titus that these Christians were true fellow brothers and sisters despite their immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Titus may have been thinking and or reacting to these believers like the early Apostles were with our Lord Jesus, when they said this, “And John answered Him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy Name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.” (Mark 9:38). However, our Lord’s quick response came with these words, “But Jesus said, forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My Name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My Name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:39-41).

Just as the early disciples wanted to write off those other people during their time, so Titus may have been feeling skepticism or doubt about the truth of the Corinthian’s faith in our Lord Jesus Christ because of the behavior that had been reported to Paul about them. However, Paul had spent 18 months personally with these believers teaching them the Word of God as well as modeling that same word in their presence every day, therefore, he was sure of their faith, but knew that they were still plagued by their old pagan ways which they lived in and practiced for so many years prior to receiving Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Paul knew from his own life of being a prominent Pharisee for so many years and then thrust into this new relationship with Jesus Christ that it takes not only faith in Christ and His Grace to shake off the grave clothes of the old life, but that each person must take responsibility themselves for understanding the war with sin and Satan and be proactive about their walk with our Lord (Romans 7:14-25).

This is why Paul specifically picked Titus to go to them that he might witness firsthand the power of repentance in the individual lives of these believers and also in the collective life of the Church itself. What Titus witnessed was the loving correction that brothers and sisters in Christ must administer to one another that true unity of the Spirit will take place as the Proverb so correctly states, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:5-6). Titus upon arriving in Corinth and being in the presence of these believers for the time period he was became overjoyed with the turnaround he witnessed and the fact that they were not angry or bitter with Paul for the things he said to them in his first letter. Titus’ spirit was refreshed or anapauo, which means his spirit, was given rest or repose (the absence of mental stress or anxiety).

This trip for Titus was not a walk in the park because he was unsure of what reception awaited him upon his arrival. In that day there was no email or texting or twitter or Facebook or video conference call, none of that, Titus had to trust Paul’s assurance in them and make the long journey by foot not sure in his own heart how he would be greeted as Paul’s messenger. Paul had boasted to Titus not once only but surely continually about the faith in Christ and love for Christ and His children of these believers. This is why Paul himself was comforted when Titus came back so joyful and excited because he wanted the assurance that their faith in Christ was real and not fake and that is what Titus’ joyous return gave him.

Paul not only found them willing to receive his rebuke and correction (by Titus’ testimony upon his return to Paul), but they were comforted by Paul pointing out to them their sin and immaturity and they came to the place of joyfully obeying his directions to them which in turn gave them inward comfort in obeying the truth. Obeying the truth always brings peace and comfort, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3), while continuing in sin always brings frustration and chaos, as the Prophet Isaiah likewise said with these words, “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:21). Paul knew once and for all that these believers were teachable and that they wanted above all things to be pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ and to Paul also.

“Paul in his humanity may have worried a bit about how these believers would respond to his rebuke and correction, but in his redeemed spirit he was sure that they would respond appropriately and Titus’ joyous return and report of their obedience brought much comfort and joy to the heart of the great Apostle Paul.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…