5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.
And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Paul returns to his account of the search for Timothy in Macedonia which he began in 2 Cor 2:12-13. He had interrupted that story with a defense of their integrity in ministry. Paul had many times when he was troubled and downcast, weary and tired. He faced struggles externally and felt fear and depression within. His time in Macedonia was like that until Timothy arrived. But Titus’s arrival brought the comfort of God. Titus passed on the comfort of the Corinthians as he recounted how they had comforted him (2 Cor 1:3-7). Paul had to write a harsh letter of correction which had hurt them, but it had hurt Paul to have to write it too. Paul was relieved because Titus brought back news that their grief had resulted in repentance. Godly grief recognises that all sin is against God (Psalm 51:4) and leads to a change of mind. The result is salvation from the deadly consequences of unrepentant sin and moves us forward in Christlikeness. Worldly grief focuses on self and leads to no change. The result is death both spiritually, because of the broken relationships with others and with our Father, and physically through the consequences of living in unrepentant sin. The Corinthians’ sorrow had produced a number of things in them to move them from wrong to right, a shift from a passive failing to do right to a readiness to see justice done. Paul’s letter had not been primarily about the offender or the one who had caused the offense. Paul’s motivation had been a concern for the whole church who had neglected to act. The Corinthians’ positive response to his letter had been a great encouragement to Paul. He had sent Titus with the difficult job of delivering a letter of correction but Titus had been overwhelmed by their affection and obedience as they received him with fear and trembling, the right attitude for correction. Because of their wonderful, godly response, Paul rejoiced and had complete confidence in them as a church.
How do you receive correction? Does it grieve you that you have been corrected and do you reach for a self-righteous defense? Or do you recognise that all sin is sin against God and are you quick to repent? (1 John 1:8-10)
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Lamb and the Scroll: Revelation 4-5