2 Corinthians 2 13

2 Corinthians 2:13 kjv

I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:13 nkjv

I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:13 niv

I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:13 esv

my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:13 nlt

But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn't yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

2 Corinthians 2 verses

2 Corinthians 2 13 Meaning

In 2 Corinthians 2:13, the Apostle Paul conveys his deep internal distress and profound lack of spiritual peace while he was in Troas. This disquiet arose because he anxiously awaited the arrival of Titus, his close companion and trusted delegate, who was tasked with delivering news regarding the Corinthian church's response to Paul's earlier, severe letter. Paul's pastoral concern for the Corinthians was so intense that despite an open door for ministry in Troas, his inner turmoil compelled him to leave and press on towards Macedonia, hoping to finally meet Titus and receive an update there.

2 Corinthians 2 13 Context

The second chapter of 2 Corinthians follows Paul's discourse on suffering and comfort, and transitions into a crucial explanation of his travel plans and motives, especially concerning his relationship with the Corinthian church. Earlier, Paul had written a "severe letter" (possibly an earlier lost letter, or parts of 2 Cor 10-13) to the Corinthians, confronting specific issues and rebellion within the church. He then sent Titus to Corinth to deliver this letter and ascertain the church's response.

Paul fully expected to meet Titus in Troas, a major port city, to receive news. Despite finding an open and promising door for evangelistic ministry there (2 Cor 2:12), Paul's overwhelming anxiety regarding the state of the Corinthian believers and their reaction to his letter overshadowed everything else. His internal disquiet was so profound that he felt compelled to leave Troas, forsaking a great ministry opportunity, in the desperate hope of finding Titus in Macedonia and finally hearing the much-anticipated report about the Corinthians' repentance and obedience. This verse reveals Paul's deep pastoral heart and the heavy burden he carried for the churches he served.

2 Corinthians 2 13 Word analysis

• I had no rest: The Greek is ouk eschēka anesin (οὐκ ἔσχηκα ἄνεσιν). Eschēka is from echō (to have) in the perfect tense, indicating a state of being. Anesin means "relaxation," "relief," or "respite." The phrase strongly emphasizes a settled and pervasive lack of ease, not just temporary discomfort. It denotes a profound internal turmoil and unquiet spirit, contrasting sharply with physical fatigue.
• in my spirit: Greek tō pneumati mou (τῷ πνεύματί μου). This refers to Paul's inner being, his core self, or his spiritual faculty, not merely his emotional or physical state. It highlights the depth of his anxiety, affecting him at the deepest level of his spiritual and mental existence. This "spirit" can encompass conscience, mind, and the innermost part of a person where divine communication often occurs.
• because I did not find: The causal conjunction kai mē heurōn (καὶ μὴ εὑρών - and not finding) explains the direct cause of his unrest. His expectation was clearly not met.
• Titus my brother: Titus was one of Paul's most trusted and indispensable co-workers, a true "son in the faith" (Titus 1:4). Calling him "brother" emphasizes their deep personal bond and shared commitment to the Gospel. Titus served as Paul's representative to contentious churches and his presence brought great comfort and relief, as evidenced later in 2 Cor 7:6-7.
• there: This refers specifically to Troas, the location where Paul expected to meet Titus, a major city with a significant evangelistic opportunity that Paul ultimately passed on (2 Cor 2:12).
• but bidding them farewell: Greek apataxamenos autois (ἀποταξάμενος αὐτοῖς). This participle indicates that Paul consciously took leave of the believers or people in Troas, implying a decision to move on despite the open door for ministry mentioned in the previous verse (2 Cor 2:12).
• I went on: Greek exēlthon (ἐξῆλθον). Paul's immediate action, indicating he could not stay. This departure underscores the gravity of his internal struggle and the overriding importance of the situation in Corinth.
• to Macedonia: The region immediately to the west and north of Troas, where Paul indeed later met Titus and received comforting news (2 Cor 7:5-6). Paul's movement was directed by his urgent need for news, prioritizing the health of the Corinthian church over immediate opportunities.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I had no rest in my spirit": This phrase encapsulates Paul's profound internal disquiet. It wasn't physical weariness but a deep psychological and spiritual distress, indicative of intense pastoral anxiety and fervent longing for news about the Corinthian church's reconciliation.
• "because I did not find Titus my brother there": This part specifies the immediate, concrete cause of Paul's spiritual unrest. Titus's absence meant a lack of crucial information, leaving Paul in a state of agonizing uncertainty regarding the Corinthians' response to his previous challenging letter. The term "my brother" highlights the intimate partnership and mutual dependence between them in ministry.
• "but bidding them farewell, I went on to Macedonia": This describes Paul's decisive action. Despite having a promising ministry opportunity in Troas (implied from 2 Cor 2:12), his inner turmoil was so severe that he could not remain. He consciously departed from Troas to actively seek Titus, prioritizing his pastoral burden for the Corinthians above personal comfort or open doors for ministry elsewhere.

2 Corinthians 2 13 Bonus section

• The lack of rest experienced by Paul here can be understood not as a spiritual deficiency, but as a symptom of his deep empathetic connection to the church. His spirit was attuned to the spiritual welfare of the Corinthians, and their unsettled state caused his own inner unrest.
• This passage underscores Paul's genuine human emotions, contrasting with an image of an emotionless, stoic apostle. His vulnerability, often expressed throughout 2 Corinthians (e.g., 2 Cor 1:8-10, 4:7-12), made his message more relatable and powerful to his audience. It presented him not as a detached leader but as one who suffered alongside them.
• The incident highlights the strategic importance of faithful co-workers like Titus in Paul's ministry. Paul relied heavily on these individuals for communication, support, and to represent him in difficult situations, which underscores the necessity of collaboration and shared burden in effective Christian ministry.

2 Corinthians 2 13 Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:13 offers a poignant glimpse into the apostle Paul's deeply human and genuinely pastoral heart. His declaration, "I had no rest in my spirit," is not an admission of a lack of faith, but a powerful illustration of the profound anxiety that weighed upon him concerning the spiritual state of the Corinthian believers. His distress was not for his own reputation or comfort, but for the reconciliation and obedience of a church family with whom he shared a tumultuous but deeply loving bond. The specific trigger for this unrest was the delayed arrival of Titus, Paul's faithful messenger, carrying the crucial news about the Corinthians' response to Paul's disciplinary letter.

This verse reveals several key insights: Paul's apostolic ministry was characterized by intense emotional investment and empathetic concern for the churches he founded. He bypassed an "open door" for evangelism in Troas (2 Cor 2:12), demonstrating that the spiritual health and well-being of existing churches could outweigh new opportunities for ministry. His immediate and resolute movement to Macedonia underscores his commitment and his readiness to endure personal hardship and forgo promising avenues for the sake of his flock. It emphasizes that authentic spiritual leadership often involves profound personal burden, self-sacrifice, and an unwavering focus on the flock's needs above personal convenience or worldly success. This human vulnerability makes his steadfastness and faith even more remarkable, painting a picture of a minister deeply affected by his call yet firmly reliant on God.