2 Corinthians 7:15-16 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.
The obedience of the Corinthians to what Titus said brought great joy to him and Paul. It deepened his deep love and affection for them. Positively responding to people always helps with this. If we expect relationships to improve, then we must do our part to show respect, honor, and listen to instruction. Nothing discourages a leader more than when those he or she leads do not listen. The Corinthians obeyed Titus’ instructions. They received him with the godly sorrow about which Paul wrote a few verses ago. This was evident by their fear and trembling. They knew that Titus spoke the truth, and this brought conviction to them. When Paul received word of how they responded to Titus, he rejoiced. This was awesome. He was confident in God’s grace to change people, and the Corinthians were proof of this change. Paul knew God can do this, and so his confidence grew in the Corinthians. This chapter may seem periphery to some of the major theological claims in this letter, but it shows the real-life change needed and experienced by people. This chapter should have the affect of boosting the confidence of the Corinthians, while at the same time, holding them accountable for the changes they had experienced. This was a subtle call to continue on in these changes and become the instruments of reconciliation for which they were called.
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