2 Corinthians 7 13

2 Corinthians 7:13 kjv

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.

2 Corinthians 7:13 nkjv

Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.

2 Corinthians 7:13 niv

By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

2 Corinthians 7:13 esv

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.

2 Corinthians 7:13 nlt

We have been greatly encouraged by this. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease.

2 Corinthians 7 verses

2 Corinthians 7 13 Meaning

The verse signifies a profound sense of relief, encouragement, and increased joy experienced by Paul and his missionary companions. Their comfort stemmed directly from the Corinthian believers' positive response and their evident comfort towards Paul, but their greater rejoicing was witnessing Titus's renewed spirit. Titus, having delivered Paul's stern letter and returned with news of the Corinthians' repentance and obedience, was personally refreshed and uplifted by the Corinthians' unified, loving reception and change of heart. This refreshed spirit of Titus became a clear indicator and a secondary source of joy for Paul, confirming the reconciliation and strengthening the bond between Paul and the Corinthian church.

2 Corinthians 7 13 Context

2 Corinthians 7 stands as a pivotal moment in Paul's complex relationship with the Corinthian church. After writing a "severe letter" (possibly the bulk of 2 Cor 10-13, or a prior letter mentioned in 2 Cor 2:3-4), Paul was in deep distress concerning the Corinthians' response. He had traveled to Troas, then Macedonia, awaiting Titus's return, who was dispatched to ascertain the church's reaction (2 Cor 2:12-13, 7:5). His "flesh had no rest" (2 Cor 7:5) until Titus arrived, bringing news that transformed Paul's anxiety into immense relief and joy. Titus's report confirmed that the Corinthians had received Paul's stern message with godly sorrow, leading to genuine repentance and a restoration of their relationship with Paul. The preceding verses (2 Cor 7:6-12) recount Paul's initial comfort from Titus's presence, the content of his report, and the joy derived from their repentance, and verse 13 functions as the concluding summation of this experience, extending the joy and comfort specifically to Titus's personal refreshment. Historically, Paul's letters to Corinth often navigated tension between his apostolic authority and the church's internal factions or misinterpretations of Christian freedom, making this reconciliation deeply significant for the future of his ministry there.

2 Corinthians 7 13 Word analysis

• Therefore (Greek: διὸ - dio): This connective particle signals a conclusion drawn from the preceding statements. It links the comfort derived from the Corinthians' repentance and reception of Titus (vv. 6-12) to the further comfort and increased joy experienced by Paul and his team, rooted in Titus's personal well-being.
• we have been comforted (Greek: παρεκλήθημεν - pareklēthēmen): This verb, in the passive voice, suggests that comfort was received, often implying a divine agent, or the natural consequence of circumstances aligned by divine providence. Paraklēsis encompasses more than mere comfort; it also includes encouragement, solace, and exhortation. Here, it denotes emotional and spiritual relief from intense anxiety.
• by your comfort (Greek: ἐπὶ τῇ παρακλήσει ὑμῶν - epi tē paraklēsei hymōn): This indicates the Corinthians' active role in providing comfort, possibly through their repentance, their submission to Paul's instruction, and their welcoming attitude towards Titus. There is a reciprocity; their good behavior brought comfort to Paul.
• and (Greek: καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, adding an additional, heightened aspect of their positive experience.
• we rejoiced still more (Greek: περισσοτέρως μᾶλλον ἐχάρημεν - perissoterōs mallon echarēmen): This double adverbial construction ("still more abundantly" or "much more") emphasizes an exceptional increase in joy beyond the initial comfort. It implies a deeper, more profound delight than simply knowing of the Corinthians' repentance.
• at the joy of Titus (Greek: ἐπὶ τῇ χαρᾷ Τίτου - epi tē chara Titou): This specifies the precise object and cause of the greater joy. It wasn't just Titus's report that brought joy, but observing Titus's own joyful state. This signifies a leader's joy in seeing the restoration and health of his associate, especially after a challenging mission.
• because (Greek: ὅτι - hoti): Introduces the reason or cause for Titus's joy and, consequently, Paul's increased rejoicing.
• his spirit (Greek: τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ - to pneuma autou): Refers to Titus's inner self, his mind, emotions, and overall disposition. It is his personal spiritual and emotional state, not necessarily the Holy Spirit, but the deepest part of his being that can be weary or refreshed.
• has been refreshed (Greek: ἀναπέπαυται - anapepautai): Perfect tense, passive voice. This means the refreshment was completed and its effects were enduring. Anapauō signifies to give rest, to refresh, to revive. It speaks of a deep and complete restoration, like relief from heavy labor or a taxing journey, alluding to the significant emotional and spiritual toll Titus's mission to Corinth must have taken on him.
• by you all (Greek: ἀπὸ πάντων ὑμῶν - apo pantōn hymōn): Clearly indicates the Corinthian church as the collective agents of Titus's refreshment. It was not just a few individuals but the unified response of the entire community that uplifted Titus.

• Therefore we have been comforted by your comfort: This phrase emphasizes the cyclical nature of spiritual comfort and ministry. Paul receives comfort from God (2 Cor 1:3-4), which enables him to comfort others; in turn, the Corinthians' proper response and positive reception of his messenger comfort him, thereby validating his ministry. This is a direct reciprocal comfort.
• we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus: This highlights the deep bonds within Paul's ministry team. Paul's joy was magnified by witnessing the joy of his co-worker, Titus, not just by the news he brought. This is a testament to the relational aspect of spiritual leadership and the genuine concern for each other's well-being.
• because his spirit has been refreshed by you all: This explains the ultimate source of both Titus's and Paul's heightened joy. The unified and repentant response of the entire Corinthian congregation, who demonstrated genuine submission and love, revitalized Titus after his demanding mission. It underscores the profound impact of a unified and loving church on its spiritual leaders. The phrase "by you all" points to a comprehensive and inclusive embrace by the entire assembly.

2 Corinthians 7 13 Bonus section

• The Power of Empathy in Ministry: Paul's "still more" joy at Titus's refreshment speaks volumes about his leadership style. It wasn't simply satisfaction with a job done well, but a deep empathy and care for his co-worker. This demonstrates that effective Christian leadership involves not just vision and strategy, but also a profound concern for the emotional and spiritual well-being of those on the front lines of ministry.
• Unified Action's Impact: The phrase "by you all" (ἀπὸ πάντων ὑμῶν) is significant. It implies a collective, unanimous positive response from the Corinthian church. Had only a faction repented, Titus's spirit might not have been so thoroughly refreshed. This highlights the powerful effect of unity and communal repentance within a congregation.
• Echoes of Physical and Spiritual Rest: The Greek word for "refreshed," anapauō, is rich in meaning, encompassing rest from toil, relief, and invigoration. This metaphor extends beyond mere psychological relief to a comprehensive spiritual and emotional restoration, akin to the rest God provides to the weary. This word choice underscores the exhausting nature of pastoral ministry and the vital necessity for leaders to experience seasons of refreshing from the body of Christ.
• The ripple effect of reconciliation: The chain of comfort and joy in this passage—God comforts Paul (2 Cor 7:6), Paul is comforted by the Corinthians' repentance (2 Cor 7:7), and then greatly rejoices over Titus's refreshed spirit because of the Corinthians' welcome—illustrates the interconnectedness of believers and how reconciliation in one area can bring joy and renewal to many.

2 Corinthians 7 13 Commentary

2 Corinthians 7:13 acts as a climax to Paul's description of his emotional journey regarding the Corinthian church. It shows Paul's comfort arising on two levels: first, from the Corinthians' own proper response to his previous stern letter, and second, and more intensely, from witnessing the deep, restorative joy of Titus, his emissary. This "still more" rejoicing points to the relational core of Paul's ministry. It was not merely about results (the Corinthians' repentance) but about the well-being of his trusted colleague, Titus, who had faced a difficult assignment. The refreshment of Titus's "spirit" by "all of you" signifies that the entire Corinthian assembly, through their unified and penitent conduct, provided immense relief and restoration to a weary servant of God. This validates both Paul's apostolic authority and the Corinthians' spiritual maturity, paving the way for further ministry and reconciliation. It teaches that our interactions within the body of Christ profoundly impact others, particularly those in leadership who carry heavy burdens. An example could be how the faithful service and joy of congregation members can refresh a pastor who has diligently served and endured difficulties, reassuring him that his labor in the Lord is not in vain and bringing him immense encouragement.