The Corinthians' response to sin refreshed Titus's spirit and enhanced his spiritual life.
Les Feldick teaches that when the Corinthians dealt with the man in gross immorality, as Paul instructed, it brought encouragement to Titus. The congregation's carefulness, clearing of themselves, indignation, fear, zeal, and revenge (2 Corinthians 7:11) showed their repentance, which refreshed Titus's spirit. This response also reflected positively on the whole congregation, as they got back into fellowship with God.
2 Corinthians 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:13 — These verses directly address the impact of the Corinthians' response on Titus, stating that his spirit was refreshed.
The Bible records that the Corinthians' response to Paul's previous letter brought comfort and joy. In 2 Corinthians 7:7, Paul mentions that Titus was comforted by the Corinthians' earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward Paul. Then in 2 Corinthians 7:13, Paul says, '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.' This indicates that the Corinthians' godly response to sin had a direct positive effect on Titus's inner state.
Les Feldick teaches that the Corinthians' response to sin, specifically their dealing with the man in gross immorality, was evidence that Paul's first letter had accomplished its work. This must have been an encouragement to the apostle and to Titus, who likely visited them. Les emphasizes that the congregation's carefulness and zeal (2 Corinthians 7:11) showed they had corrected their problems, which enhanced their spiritual lives and refreshed Titus's spirit.
The Corinthians were initially puffed up and not bothered by the sin in their midst, even though the pagans knew about it and it brought reproach on Christ's name. They were a carnal church, plagued with many sins, and Paul had to address them harshly in his first letter.
The Corinthians' response included carefulness, clearing of themselves, indignation, fear, desire, zeal, and revenge (2 Corinthians 7:11). This showed that they took the matter seriously and were determined to be clear in the matter. Les highlights that this response 'reverberated throughout the congregation' and brought them back into fellowship with God.
Paul no longer condemned them but encouraged and exhorted them, boasting about them to other churches. The change in tone from 1 Corinthians to 2 Corinthians reflects that the Corinthians had corrected their problems, which was a relief to Paul.
Corinthians' Response Enhanced Their Spiritual Lives
Les teaches that the Corinthians' carefulness and zeal in dealing with sin displayed their repentance, which enhanced every member and brought them back into fellowship with God.
Initial Problem: Puffed Up and Unbothered
Les explains that the Corinthians were initially puffed up and not concerned about the sin, which led to Paul's harsh rebuke.
Titus Encouraged by Corinthians' Correction
Les notes that the Corinthians had seemingly corrected their problems, which was an encouragement to Paul and to Titus, who likely saw the change.
Why God Holds Everyone Without Excuse — Romans 1:18-21
Come all the way back with me to Titus, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, the Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus chapter 2. Now of course Paul writes this letter toward the end of his ministry, he's only got about another year or two to go until he'll be martyred.
Paul's Attitude Shift Towards Corinthians
Les highlights that Paul's second letter reflects a different attitude because the Corinthians had responded positively, and he now encourages and boasts about them.
Corinth's Carnality and God's Patience
Les recounts that the Corinthian church was plagued with many sins, yet God did not give up on them, and ultimately Paul was proud of them.
What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians
As I mentioned a couple of programs ago, Paul is addressing them in response to a letter that they had written to him asking, how are they supposed to deal with these things? And consequently, by Holy Spirit inspiration, Paul is just unloading. And of course the reason is that the things that were a problem in Corinth in A.D. 60 are still the same.
What the Bible Really Says About the Lord's Table — 1 Corinthians 10:16
He's too kind to just out and out condemn them, but neither does he commend them, and he isn't bragging on them for these things they're doing. So when we get through the love chapter, I Corinthians chapter 13, I'm going to emphasize it all the more that Paul is just backing into this situation so that he doesn't flare up their anger, and put them into a place where he can't deal with them, and ye…
2 Corinthians 7:7: 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.
This shows that Titus was comforted by the Corinthians' earnestness and mourning over their sin.
2 Corinthians 7:11: For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
This enumerates the fruits of the Corinthians' repentance, which Les cites as demonstrating their response to sin.
2 Corinthians 7:13: 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.
This is the key verse explicitly stating that Titus's spirit was refreshed by the Corinthians' response.
According to the evidence, Paul mentions that Titus was comforted by the Corinthians' response, implying that Titus had been with them or heard of their response. Les Feldick indicates that the message came to Paul that his first letter had accomplished its work, which would have been relayed by Titus. Thus, Titus likely visited or was informed, and his spirit was refreshed by their repentance.
Paul's second letter to the Corinthians reflects a change in attitude—he moves from condemning problems to encouraging and exhorting them. This is because the Corinthians had responded positively to his rebuke, leading to a shift in tone.
Watch the Teaching: Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow — 2 Corinthians 7:10 Explained