How much difference can a word of compliment make to someone?
A word of compliment can do more for someone than anything one can imagine. Everyone likes to be complimented when a job is well done, and such encouragement can deeply lift a person. Even Paul was thrilled by the Corinthians' good report, showing how much sincere praise and esteem can mean.
Les explains that Titus brought back nothing but good things the Corinthians were saying about Paul, and this shows how human Paul was. Everyone, including those listening on television, likes to be complimented. When a job is well done, people want a word of compliment. Les has no problem thanking people who do a good job because everybody likes a word of compliment. He does not want flowery stuff that he thinks people do not really mean, but a word of compliment can do more for you than anything you can imagine. That is how Paul was: he was tickled to death to see Titus, but what thrilled him more was the report that the Corinthians still loved him, still held him in high esteem, and he rejoiced all the more.