Refreshed - 2 Corinthians 7:12-16

7:12 - After listing all the character improvements that came to the Corinthians after they had repented, Paul again explained his motives for writing the harsh letter in the first place. I’m not exactly sure what he’s trying to say here, but I’m going to do my best to think it through. Paul says that he didn’t write the letter “for his cause that had done the wrong,” which to me might indicate that he didn’t do it to call out specific people for specific sins. This is especially important because Paul himself wasn’t there to deal with the situations and had to rely on outside information relayed to him. This could definitely lead to a situation where rumors or lies could become a determining factor in someone’s worthiness because there is only second and third hand knowledge of events. Maybe Paul is saying “hey, I didn’t want to get caught up in rumors, so let’s all take a step back and refocus.”

 

He also points out that he didn’t write the letter “for his cause that suffered wrong.” Again, this might be addressing the “rumors” aspect of his letter. Maybe he doesn’t want to get involved in specific cases and just wants the people to repent overall. Maybe he’s saying that he wasn’t motivated by wanting revenge for the victims of whatever happened. He probably called for all to repent regardless of the roles they played in the broken dynamic of the Corinthian church. And really, even though we are often times the victims of other’s peoples poor choices, we all have our own issues to repent for. And the way that we become healed of our hurts is by repenting of our own things and Jesus takes care of it on the inside.

 

After going over what his motivation wasn’t, Paul finally tells them that the purpose of the harsh letter was so “that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.” He’s saying that he and his missionary companions love the Corinthian saints so much and that they want them to have the peace and joy that comes with righteous living. He didn’t rebuke them because of one specific person or one specific incident, he rebuked them because he loves them and wants them to return to God and receive all the blessings that comes with that.

 

7:13 – Because their motivation was love, “we were comforted in your comfort.” He wasn’t looking for a specific solution to one specific problem, he didn’t ask “well what did you guys do about so and so.” They repented and because they did, Paul rejoiced and his anxiety was laid to rest. Adding to his joy was “the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.” The word “refreshed” makes me think of resting after hard work or cook water to drink when you’re thirsty. When it comes to spiritual matters, I am refreshed when I have a spiritual discussion with someone who is still committed to the cause, or when I learn something. Basically, whenever I encounter someone who is not actively hostile to my religion is a refreshing experience for me.

 

Titus must have felt similarly because when he gave Paul the news, apparently he was “refreshed.” To me this means that he was encouraged by the people’s acceptance of Paul’s counsel. It must have been like a huge weight lifted off of his shoulders when the people read the letter and instead of becoming angry or violent, because repentant and humble.

 

7:14-16 - Maybe to illustrate his point that he had no desire to pinpoint certain people as being problems, Paul tells the people that apparently before Titus left to bring them the letter, he “boasted” about the people to Titus. I would imagine that this means that Paul gave Titus the heavy task or taking this message of repentance to the Corinthians, but must have reassured him that “they are good people who have gotten off track, they will receive this counsel well.” And turns out Paul’s reassurance “is found a truth,” turns out he was right.

 

Paul really emphasizes Titus’ love for the Corinthian people, and apparently that love was forged in earlier interactions because Titus “remembereth the obedience of you all.” The article about this chapter from gospeldoctrine.com says, “Titus obviously had done his work with courage and capacity, but Paul goes further to show another critical ingredient in his success- his love for the people that he sought to help… Paul says literally that Titus was not covetous toward the Corinthians- that he sincerely worked for their interests and not his own.” Titus was clearly a man who magnified his calling. And even though he doesn’t get a lot of attention in the scriptures compared to like Paul or Peter, he’s an excellent example of how regular people can do great things when they do their best to be righteous. Most of us aren’t going to be note worthy, but we can still make an enormous difference in the work and in the lives of other people.

 

 So Paul and Titus had both been to Corinth and fell in love with the people there. When the Corinthians got out of hand, Paul and Titus both knew that a correction had to be made, and were cautiously optimistic that the people would respond positively, even though the prospect of a negative response made them nervous. But they were right, the Corinthians repented and “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.”