2 Corinthians 7 14

2 Corinthians 7:14 kjv

For if I have boasted any thing 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.

2 Corinthians 7:14 nkjv

For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.

2 Corinthians 7:14 niv

I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well.

2 Corinthians 7:14 esv

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.

2 Corinthians 7:14 nlt

I had told him how proud I was of you ? and you didn't disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true!

2 Corinthians 7 verses

2 Corinthians 7 14 Meaning

The Apostle Paul is recounting an instance where he and his companions, Titus and the Corinthians themselves, had boasted about the Corinthians' obedience. However, when they arrived in Macedonia, they found their boasting was not entirely justified, as the Corinthians had not yet fully repented and returned to godly sorrow and the resulting good works. This verse highlights the shame and humility Paul felt due to this discrepancy between his prior declaration and the actual situation he encountered, emphasizing that their incomplete response to his previous letter would bring disgrace to his ministry, especially when God's people in Judea heard about it.

2 Corinthians 7 14 Context

In the preceding verses (2 Corinthians 7:5-13), Paul recounts his arrival in Macedonia and the anxious wait he endured. Titus had been sent to Corinth with Paul's stern letter, designed to bring them to repentance. Upon meeting Titus, Paul was immensely relieved and overjoyed to hear that Titus found the Corinthians deeply sorrowful, receptive to the apostolic instruction, and eager to please him. This "godly sorrow" had led to earnestness, clearing of themselves, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and, most importantly, "vindication" or the righting of wrongs. Paul explicitly states his joy, not in their sorrow itself, but in its effective outcome of repentance and restoration. Chapter 7 sets the stage for the subsequent collection for the saints in Judea, which was a major focus of Paul's ministry in Corinth. However, in verse 14, a slight nuance emerges: while Paul had previously "boasted" (KJV) or "taken pride" (ESV) in the Corinthians to Titus, he now acknowledges that he realizes this boasting was not fully warranted because the Corinthians' positive response wasn't as complete or immediate as he had implied. This could refer to the ongoing situation in Corinth or specific remaining issues that Paul was still processing. This admission highlights Paul's deep pastoral care and his vulnerability before other believers, especially concerning the reputation and integrity of his ministry. The broader context of 2 Corinthians involves Paul defending his apostleship against criticisms and false apostles within the Corinthian church, hence his concern for his "boasting" being vindicated by their true spiritual condition.

2 Corinthians 7 14 Word Analysis

• "For" (γάρ - gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation for the preceding statement. Here, it explains why Paul is addressing this point.

• "if" (εἰ - ei): A conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical situation.

• "I" (ἐγὼ - egō): The first-person singular pronoun.

• "have boasted" (ἐκαυχησάμην - ekaukhesamen): The aorist indicative middle form of καυχάομαι (kaukháomai), meaning to boast, to exult, to pride oneself. It implies a declaration made previously.

• "of you" (ὑμῶν - hymōn): The genitive plural pronoun, referring to the Corinthians.

• "to" (πρός - pros): A preposition often indicating direction, relationship, or association. Here it signifies the recipient of his boasting.

• "him" (αὐτῷ - autōi): The dative masculine singular pronoun, referring to Titus.

• "and" (καί - kai): A conjunction connecting words, phrases, or clauses.

• "I" (ἐγώ - egō): Repetition emphasizes personal responsibility.

• "have not" (οὐ - ou): Negating the following verb.

• "been put to shame" (κατῃσχύνθημεν - kateskhunthēmen): The aorist passive indicative form of καταισχύνω (kataiskhunō), meaning to shame, disgrace, put to shame, often associated with a sense of humiliation or indignity. It carries the weight of the ministry's reputation being tarnished.

• "in" (ἐν - en): A preposition indicating involvement or circumstances.

• "this" (οὕτως - houtōs): An adverb indicating manner or way.

• "matter" (πρᾶγμα - pragma): A concrete thing, an affair, an action, a matter. It refers to the specific issue concerning their repentance and obedience.

• "Word-group analysis:"

  • "if I have boasted of you to him": This phrase emphasizes Paul's prior positive declaration about the Corinthians' spiritual state to Titus. The active voice ("I have boasted") places the emphasis on Paul's testimony.
  • "and I have not been put to shame in this matter": This is a crucial turning point. The passive voice ("have not been put to shame") indicates that their previous boasting was, in fact, vindicated by the report Paul received, which was that the Corinthians had indeed experienced godly sorrow and repented. The term "matter" encapsulates the entire situation related to their response to Paul's previous letter and the state of their obedience.

2 Corinthians 7 14 Bonus Section

The phrasing "been put to shame" (κατῃσχύνθημεν - kateskhunthēmen) in the passive voice suggests that the shame would not be something actively done to Paul, but rather something that would befall him if the Corinthians had not responded adequately. This reflects a relational understanding of ministry, where the success of one’s teaching and labor is visible in the lives of those taught. Paul's prior "boasting" (ἐκαυχησάμην - ekaukhesamen) was not arrogant self-promotion, but rather an expression of his trust and prayerful confidence in the work God was doing through him and the response of the believers to the gospel. His careful acknowledgment of this avoids presenting a false narrative and demonstrates integrity. The positive report from Titus acted as the vindication that prevented this potential shame. This particular nuance from verse 14 needs to be read in conjunction with the verses immediately preceding it, which recount Titus's highly encouraging report. Some interpretations suggest verse 14 is Paul reiterating that his initial positive report to Titus was indeed confirmed by Titus's findings, therefore preventing any potential shame. Other interpretations might see a slight reservation still, meaning while the news was good, the work was perhaps not fully complete, and therefore Paul still held some apprehension. However, the prevailing understanding aligns with the joyous tone of the chapter: Paul’s trust was confirmed.

2 Corinthians 7 14 Commentary

Paul acknowledges that his confidence in the Corinthians, which he expressed to Titus, proved to be well-founded. He had previously praised them to Titus, and now, after hearing Titus's report of their repentance and positive actions resulting from godly sorrow, Paul confirms that his boasting was not in vain. This means their transformation brought vindication, preventing shame upon him. This incident underscores the reality that while genuine repentance is joyous, the path there can be fraught with spiritual struggle and potential for relapse. Paul's emotional honesty about potential shame highlights his deep personal investment in the spiritual well-being of the believers and the integrity of his apostolic calling. The ultimate success of the gospel, from Paul’s perspective, was measured not just in adherence to doctrine, but in genuine transformation of life and continued obedience.