Was Paul comforted only by Titus's arrival, or also by something else?
Paul was not comforted only by Titus's arrival. He was also comforted by the consolation he received from the Corinthians themselves—their earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward him. God, who comforts the cast down, used both Titus's coming and the Corinthians' heart attitude to encourage Paul.
Les explains that despite all Paul's pressures, grief, and disappointments, God carried him through. Verse 6 says God comforts those who are cast down; He knows when we need help and is there. In verse 7, Paul was comforted by the coming of Titus, who finally found him after a delay—Paul had missed him at Troas, time had passed, and Paul had been at Philippi, sick in bed, before moving down and finally contacting Titus. But Les points out it was not by Titus's coming only. Paul was also comforted by the consolation he received from the Corinthians, because Titus told him of their earnest desire, their mourning, and their fervent mind toward Paul. So Paul's comfort came both from Titus's arrival and from the Corinthians' heart attitude toward him.
And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
More Questions
Why was Paul comforted beyond just seeing Titus?
Paul's comfort was not only from Titus's arrival but also from the consolation Titus himself received among the Corinthians, since Paul says he was comforted in them.
why was Paul comforted by more than just Titus showing up?
Paul's comfort was not only from Titus's arrival — it was wonderful to know nothing had happened to him — but also from the consolation Titus received from the Corinthians, so that Paul was comforted in them.