2 Corinthians 7:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.

NIV: And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.

NASB: His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.

CSB: And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling.

NLT: Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.

Paul has expressed his great relief and comfort that the Corinthians received his letter of rebuke with sorrow, repentance, and eagerness to make things right. Titus is the one who delivered the letter. Titus was one of Paul's co-workers for the gospel, a man he mentored in the ministry. Paul has also expressed his joy that Titus was so encouraged by the response of the Corinthians, as well.

Paul now adds that Titus has grown to have even greater affection for the Corinthians than he has. It's not just that the people there were nice to him or made him feel welcome. Titus was impressed by their choice to obey God by obeying Paul's instructions to them to discipline the man who was opposing Paul's Christ-appointed ministry.

In addition to that obedience, Titus was impressed with their attitude. They showed great respect to him as a representative of Paul who was a representative of Christ. Paul writes that they received Titus with fear and trembling, meaning that they recognized that he came with Christ's authority. That demonstration of humility caused Titus to have great affection for them.

Second Corinthians 7:2–16 begins with Paul urging the Corinthians to make room in their hearts for him and his co-workers for the gospel. He then describes the great affliction they were under until Titus returned from a visit to Corinth. Titus' report that the Corinthians had responded to a severe rebuke from Paul with sadness and repentance brought Paul great comfort and caused him to rejoice. Titus, too, expressed affection for the Corinthians after seeing their obedience and humility. Paul concludes by declaring his complete confidence in the Corinthians, though he will discuss other difficult issues in the following chapters.

Verse 1 concludes the previous chapter's declaration that believers, as God's holy people, must cleanse their lives of defilement. Next, Paul urges the Corinthians once more to make room in their hearts for him and his co-workers. He expresses his great comfort and joy over Titus' report that they received a letter of rebuke from him with sorrow and repentance, eager to make things right. He is glad to hear that Titus was impressed with their obedience and humble attitude. This hasn't resolved all the issues between Paul and the Corinthians, but he expresses his complete confidence in them.

Second Corinthians 7 begins with a single verse concluding Paul's teaching about what it means for Christians not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. He then urges the Corinthians once more to make room in their hearts for him and his fellow ministers. He expresses enormous comfort at hearing that they have received a letter of rebuke from him with an eagerness to make things right with him. Titus, too, is impressed with their obedience and humility. Paul declares that he now has complete confidence in them. Following chapters will continue to address spiritual problems within that church.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.