Paul was pleased because the Corinthians still loved him and held him in high esteem despite the harshness of his first letter.
According to Les Feldick, Paul's first letter to the Corinthians was one of reproof and correction, dealing with a church full of problems. Yet, when Titus returned from Corinth, he reported the Corinthians' earnest desire and affection for Paul. This comforted Paul and showed that his letter had accomplished its purpose, as the Corinthians had corrected their problems and still esteemed him highly.
2 Corinthians 7:7 — This verse directly states that Titus reported the Corinthians' earnest desire and comfort, which pleased Paul.
In 2 Corinthians 7:6-7, Paul writes that God comforted him by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in the Corinthians. Titus told Paul of their earnest desire, their mourning, and their fervent mind toward him, which caused Paul to rejoice. This indicates that the Corinthians had responded positively to Paul's first letter, demonstrating love and respect for him despite its harshness.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's first letter to the Corinthians was a letter of reproof and correction, addressing many problems in the church. However, by the time of the second letter, Paul's attitude has changed; he is no longer condemning but encouraging and boasting about them. Les emphasizes that the Corinthians had corrected their problems, and their love for Paul was evident through Titus's report. This must have been a great encouragement to Paul, showing that his first letter had accomplished its work.
Les Feldick explains that Paul's first letter to the Corinthians was a letter of reproof and correction, not of commendation. The Corinthian church was the most carnal and least spiritual of all the churches Paul had dealings with, full of problems. Paul had to address these issues, and he almost felt bad about it, but he wrote to correct them.
When Titus came from Corinth, he brought news of the Corinthians' earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward Paul. Les Feldick highlights that this comforted Paul and showed that the Corinthians still loved him and held him in high esteem, despite the harshness of his first letter.
Paul was encouraged because his first letter had accomplished its work. The Corinthians had dealt with the problems, and they had shown that they still valued Paul. Les Feldick points out that this was a great encouragement to Paul, as it meant he did not have to go to Corinth personally to address the issues; the correction had been effective.
Titus Reports the Corinthians' Earnest Desire
Les Feldick explains that Paul was comforted by Titus's report of the Corinthians' earnest desire and love for him, which was a key reason for Paul's pleasure.
First Letter Accomplished Its Purpose
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's first letter had accomplished its work because the Corinthians corrected their problems, which was an encouragement to Paul.
Second Letter Shows Attitude Change
Les Feldick notes that in the second letter Paul is no longer condemning but encouraging and boasting about the Corinthians, showing his pleasure in their response.
Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained
There were probably a few dozen at the most that Paul addresses here, and these fellows and these women have just recently come out of such a pagan background. Now it stands to reason that they couldn't all of a sudden, or they didn't all of a sudden, become spiritual giants.
First Letter Was One of Reproof
Les Feldick describes Paul's first letter as a letter of reproof and correction, setting the context for why their positive response was so pleasing.
Problems Corrected
Les Feldick explains that the Corinthians had corrected their problems, which is why Paul was pleased and wrote a follow-up letter with a different tone.
What Does It Mean to Be "All Things to All Men"? — 1 Corinthians 9
See how plain that is? So all these things that he's been covering now in this letter of 1 Corinthians were in response to the congregation's questions. And of course, all their questions were resting on problems. And again, I've been emphasizing ever since we started 1 Corinthians that the Corinthian church was the most carnal, it was the least spiritual of all the churches that Paul had anything…
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.
2 Corinthians 7:7: And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
This verse explicitly states Paul's joy upon hearing of the Corinthians' earnest desire and affection for him.
2 Corinthians 7:6: Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
This verse shows that God comforted Paul through Titus's arrival, which brought news of the Corinthians' positive response.
Titus told Paul of the Corinthians' earnest desire, mourning, and fervent mind toward Paul, which comforted Paul and caused him to rejoice.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that the Corinthians had corrected their problems, as evidenced by Paul's second letter which no longer condemns them but encourages them.
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