Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
Parallel Translations
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Therefore we have been comforted. In our comfort we rejoiced the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
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Therfore we are comforted because ye are comforted: yee and excedyngly the moare ioyed we for the ioye that Titus had: because his sprete was refresshed of you all.
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Therefore we were comforted, because ye were comforted: but rather we reioyced much more for the ioye of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
Cross-references (13)
Passages linked to 2 Corinthians 7:13 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
- Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
- Romans 15:32 that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
- 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
- 1 Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
- 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
- 2 Corinthians 2:3 And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.
- 2 Corinthians 2:13 I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
- 2 Corinthians 7:15 His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.
- Philippians 2:28 I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
- 2 Timothy 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
- Philemon 1:20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (17 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 13. We received consolation. Paul was wholly intent upon…
13. We received consolation. Paul was wholly intent upon persuading the Corinthians, that nothing was more eagerly desired by him than their advantage. Hence he says, that he had shared with them in their consolation. Now their consolation had been this — that, acknowledging their fault, they did not merely take the reproof in good part, but had received it joyfully. For the bitterness of a reproof is easily sweetened, so soon as we begin to taste the profitableness of it to us.
What he adds — that he rejoiced more abundantly on account of the consolation of Titus, is by way of congratulation. Titus had been overjoyed in finding them more obedient and compliant than could have been expected — nay more, in his finding a sudden change for the better. Hence we may infer, that Paul’s gentleness was anything but flattery, inasmuch as he rejoiced in their joy, so as to be, at the same time, chiefly taken up with their repentance.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea,…
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.
Ver. 13. His spirit was refreshed] After his long and tedious toil and travel to come to you, he never thought much of his labour. Calvin said that it would not grieve him to sail over ten seas, Ne decem quidem maria, about a uniform draught for religion.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain We were comforted in your comfort; the comfort which…
We were comforted in your comfort; the comfort which your letters brought us, and so came from you; or the comfort which you received upon your reformation of those things which were amiss amongst you. And we also
joyed for the joy that Titus conceived, upon his understanding of your affairs, and your ready obedience to the Epistle which I wrote to you: such is the union between the true members of Christ, that they are comforted with one another’s comforts, and afflicted with one another’s sorrows and griefs.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain That is, in all the forementioned effects and fruits,…
That is, in all the forementioned effects and fruits, signs and evidences of a true repentance, which were found in you, and are matter of great comfort to you, we are also comforted with you; and we also had a superadded joy, for the joy that Titus conceived, upon his understanding of your affairs; also your ready compliance with the duties and directions given you in my former epistle, did wonderfully refresh and rejoice his spirit; and in all these your consolations and comforts am I comforted.
Hence learn, That such is the intimate and endeared union between the ministers and members of Jesus Christ, that they are comforted with one another’s comforts, and afflicted with each other’s sorrows and sufferings.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Therefore we were comforted in your comfort,.... In the…
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort,.... In the comfortable situation the church was in; not in their grief and sorrow, as a natural passion, but in the effects of it as a godly sorrow; by which it appeared that their repentance was genuine, and that they were clear in the matter that had given so much trouble; and that things had so well succeeded for the welfare and more comfortable estate of the church for the future. The comfortable estate, flourishing condition, and well being of churches, yield great pleasure and consolation to the ministers of the Gospel: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read, "our comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we, for the joy of Titus"; not only the repentance of the Corinthians, and the blessed effects of that, occasioned joy in the apostle; but what added to it, and increased it the more abundantly, was the joy of Titus, which he had been a partaker of during his stay with them:
because his spirit was refreshed by you all; not by one only, or a few, but by all the members of the church; he was received by them with great respect, provided for in a liberal manner, treated with all humanity and courteousness; and, above all, his mind was eased and filled with an unexpected pleasure, to find them in such an agreeable frame of mind; so sensible of their neglect of duty, so ready to reform, so united in themselves, so affected to the apostle, and so determined to abide by the order, ordinances, and truths of the Gospel, against all false teachers.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 13. For the joy of Titus] Titus, who…
Verse 13. For the joy of Titus] Titus, who had now met St. Paul in Macedonia, gave him the most flattering accounts of the improved state of the Corinthian Church; and indeed their kind usage of Titus was a full proof of their affection for St. Paul.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Therefore we were comforted in your comfort - The…
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort - The phrase “your comfort,” here seems to mean the happiness which they had, or might reasonably be expected to have in obeying the directions of Paul, and in the repentance which they had manifested. Paul had spoken of no other consolation or comfort than this; and the idea seems to be that they were a happy people, and would be happy by obeying the commands of God. This fact gave Paul additional joy, and he could not but rejoice that they had removed the cause of the offence, and that they would not thus be exposed to the displeasure of God. Had they not repented and put away the evil, the consequences to them must have been deep distress. As it was, they would be blessed and happy.
And exceedingly the more ... - Titus had been kindly received, and hospitably entertained, and had become much attached to them. This was to Paul an additional occasion of joy; see 2Co 7:7.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain The oldest manuscripts read thus, "Therefore (Greek, 'for this…
The oldest manuscripts read thus, "Therefore (Greek, 'for this cause,' namely, because our aim has been attained) we have been (English Version, 'were,' is not so accurate) comforted; yea (Greek, 'but'), in OUR comfort we exceedingly the more joyed for the joy of Titus," &c. (compare Co2 7:7).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 13. Your comfort… joy of Titus—Paul sympathized with both…
13. Your comfort… joy of Titus—Paul sympathized with both Corinth and Titus. Their comfort was his comfort; Titus’s joy was his joy.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort] Most…
13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort] Most modern editors punctuate as follows: ‘Therefore we were comforted. And in addition to (or in consequence of) our comfort we rejoiced a very great deal more at the joy of Titus,’ ‘our’ being read for the ‘your’ of the A. V.
exceedingly the more] See note on 2Co_7:4.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (13) Therefore we were comforted.—The tense of the Greek…
(13) Therefore we were comforted.—The tense of the Greek verb implies a different structure of the sentence: Therefore we have been comforted: and upon (i.e., over and above) our comfort we rejoiced more exceedingly at the joy of Titus. That was to St. Paul a new source of happiness. The intense sympathy of his nature would have made him share the disappointment of his delegate, and in like manner he now shares his joy. The messenger had shown himself to be his true son in the faith (Tit_1:1).
His spirit was refreshed.—Better, as expressing the permanence of the effect, has been refreshed. The term was a favourite one with the writer. Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus had “refreshed” his spirit (1Co_16:18. Comp. also Phm_1:7; Phm_1:20). The primary idea of the word is, however, rather that of “giving rest” to the weary, as in Mat_11:28; Mat_26:45.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Therefore we were comforted, etc. Since my Epistle secured…
Therefore we were comforted, etc. Since my Epistle secured the result of manifesting your true feelings towards me, "we have been comforted." The Revised Version and many editions put the stop here, and continue (reading de after ejpi), and in addition to our consolation, abundantly the more did we rejoice at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. Exceedingly the more. In the Greek this is expressed by double comparatives. (comp. 2Co_12:9; Php_1:23) Was refreshed; rather, has been (and is) refreshed. The same verb is used in 1Co_16:18; Phm_1:7, Phm_1:20.
Refreshment of spirit.
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The very decidedly personal character of this Epistle is the occasion of its bringing before the reader some topics to which otherwise his attention might not be directed. The writer, his friends and colleagues, Timothy and Titus, the several persons in the Corinthian Church alluded to, the community which was called upon to take action, all seem to live before us. Human feelings appear in the light of Christian truth, privilege, and duty. The experiences of the heart are represented as hallowed and elevated by the principles of spiritual religion. Titus is depicted as visiting Corinth, as received with respect, and as obeyed with alacrity, and consequently as cherishing a deepened affection for the Corinthian Christians, as rejoicing because of their attitude of spirit and their united action, and, in fact, as refreshed in spirit by his visit to them.
I THE SPIRIT"S NEED OF REFRESHMENT. This may arise from:
1. Weariness in labour. One may become weary in the work when not weary of it.
2. Disappointment in efforts made for the good of others. When energy andself-denial have done their best, and no results have followed, or at all events none have become apparent, the spirit is sometimes saddened and dejected.
3. Opposition, whether from the world without or from professed brethren,produces a most disheartening effect upon the sensitive nature.
III THE POWER OF TRUE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP TO REFRESH THE SPIRIT. It does this in many ways.
1. It brings home the conviction that the Christian labourer is not alone. Hemay be disposed to lament, as Elijah did, that he is left alone in the world; but it is not so, and there are occasions upon which he realizes this.
2. It sometimes takes the form of appreciation of services rendered onbehalf of the brotherhood. The pastor finds that his visits have been valued; the preacher that his word has been a living seed in hearts of which he had thought there was but little that was good; the admonition awakens confessions, acknowledgments, resolutions, which were but little expected.
3. United exercises of praise and prayer react upon the weary soul; listlessness, discouragement, disappear; the whole nature is braced by Heaven-born energy for new and happier service. T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort. He…
13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort. He still pours forth his joy over the happy change in the church, a joy due to his great affection for it.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain Therefore we have been comforted: and in our comfort…
Therefore we have been comforted: and in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all . [Therefore, as we have said before, our anxiety has been removed, and we have been comforted when we have seen how you have obeyed us, and stood the test which we imposed upon you, and our joy has been greatly increased as we have seen the joy felt by Titus at your conduct.]
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain The joy of Titus over the good tidings which…
The joy of Titus over the good tidings which he brought:
v. 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.
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v. 14. For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth.
v. 15. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
v. 16. I rejoice, therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things.
The first words of v. 13 really are the concluding statement of the previous passage: Wherefore we have been comforted. That was the result of the entire transaction so far as the apostle was concerned. But in addition to his own comfort and consolation he had all the more reason for great joy at the joy of Titus, the bearer of the good news from Corinth. His new joy, which was added to his previous comfort, was more abundant than the comfort itself, because the spirit of Titus had been refreshed by them all. The representative of the apostle had been received well by all the members of the Corinthian congregation and treated with the utmost kindness and respect. There was no trace of a stubborn and conceited behavior, and so his mind was set entirely at rest on their behalf.
This fact pleased the apostle all the more: For if in anything on your behalf I have boasted to him, I was not put to shame. As Paul had boasted in other cities about the excellence of the Corinthian congregation, so he had praised his present readers also before Titus. If the latter had therefore not found matters as his teacher had pictured them so glowingly, the praise which Paul bestowed on them would have been found empty foolishness, mere vanity. But now he is pleased: As we spoke all things to you truthfully, so also our boasting before Titus was found to be truth. On this point Paul was very sensitive. When he had sent Titus to Corinth, he had encouraged him by the description he gave of the good qualities of the Corinthian Christians. That is what caused him to be so well satisfied now, since matters turned out, proved to be, in accordance with the facts: the Corinthians had fully lived up to the expectations of their teacher.
The gratification which Paul felt was equaled by the satisfaction which filled the heart of Titus: And his heart is the more abundantly inclined toward you, since he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. Titus had been the bearer of a harsh message, even as Paul’s letter had been uncompromising in its severity on the point of the scandal in their midst. And so they had received him with profound reverence and had shown all obedience to the suggestions which he had to offer as the apostle’s representative. The entire matter had thus turned out well, and Paul concludes: I rejoice that in everything I have good courage concerning you. The encouragement which he had thus received by finding his confidence not misplaced, gave him a happy boldness before them; there was no further reason to fear that they would again be tossed about by matters of a similar nature. When things in any congregation have progressed to such a point that the first serious crisis is weathered, conditions will usually be favorable to a steady growth in Christian knowledge and sanctification.
Summary
Paul admonishes the Corinthians to make progress in holiness; he assures them that he, as well as Titus, has been filled with comfort and rejoicing by their godly repentance and cheerful obedience in the case of church discipline.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 It is by this that we are encouraged
It is by this that we are encouraged
Here the word "this" refers to the way the Corinthians responded to Paul's previous letter, as he described in the previous verse. This can be stated in active form. AT: "This is what encourages us" (See: Active or Passive)
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his spirit was refreshed by all of you
Here the word "spirit" refers to a person's temperament and disposition. This can be stated in active form. AT: "all of you refreshed his spirit" or "all of you made him stop worrying" (See: Active or Passive)
For if I boasted to him about you
"For although I boasted to him about you"
I was not embarrassed
"you did not disappoint me"
our boasting about you to Titus proved to be true
"you proved that our boasting about you to Titus was true"
translationWords
courage
comfort
joy
Titus
joy
spirit
boast
true
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 7:13b-16 The way the Corinthians had welcomed and obeyed…
7:13b-16 The way the Corinthians had welcomed and obeyed Titus as Paul’s agent endeared the Corinthians to Titus and delighted Paul. The crisis at Corinth was over, and Paul had complete confidence that all was well.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.