2 Corinthians 7:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do you see that the Apostle rejoices more over them? He says: "You have in no way put your teacher to shame, and you have not proved unworthy of my testimony."

Therefore he rejoiced not so much for Titus, because he received such honor, as for them, because they showed such nobility of soul.

But lest anyone think he rejoiced more on Titus' account, see how here also he sets forth the cause of his joy. As he said above, "I was not put to shame if I boasted of you to him in anything," so here he says, "I rejoice that in everything I can rely on you."

"If I must rebuke you, I do not fear that you will fall away because of it. If I must boast of you, I am not afraid of being convicted of empty praise.

I rejoice not only over Titus, because you honored him, but also because I find you to be such people. You do not put me to shame, but give me boldness to speak openly about you in every matter and at every time. Or otherwise, I can rely on you, because whether I do something for you or speak to you, you will receive it gladly. If it is necessary for your correction, you will accept reproof or praise, or even some difficult command.

I rejoice that in everything I have bold confidence in you. You know how to receive friends with honor, and before persecutors you are ready to show yourselves worthy.

The Apostle rejoices not only in their good will, but also in the good works by which those who had sinned were corrected. Therefore he says, "In everything I can rely on you."

I am filled with joy because I dare both to strike you and to rebuke you, and also because I do not sin against the truth when I praise you. Therefore we, both those taught and those who teach, must draw from this a useful pattern. Teachers must imitate the teacher of the whole world. They should reproach at the proper time, rebuke where needed, expose faults, exhort, persuade, and stir up by praises. Those who receive instruction must obey their teachers. With love and fear they must receive the streams of teaching, and by this watering bear fruit for Christ the Savior. To Him, with the Father, in the All-Holy Spirit, be glory, honor, and dominion, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

I do not now regret even having grieved you by my epistle, though I had regretted it. For your sorrow was not worldly sorrow, which produces death, but sorrow for God's sake, which produces repentance unto salvation and is not to be regretted.

Still, I wrote the reproof to you "not for the sake of the offender," the incestuous man, "nor for the sake of the one offended," the father of the incestuous man, "but that our care for you before God might be made manifest to you" (2 Cor 7:8-12).

"And we rejoiced still more," the Apostle adds, "at the joy of Titus, because you all refreshed his spirit. I was not put to shame if I had boasted of you to him in anything. Therefore I rejoice that in everything I can rely on you" (2 Cor 7:13-16).

Expressing joy over the Corinthians' good reception of Titus, the Apostle speaks of the consolation given through this to Titus and to himself. He had not been mistaken in praising the Corinthians before him, and he had become assured that now he could rely on them in everything.

Thus the essence of the discourse comes down to praise of the Corinthians. They were wholly faithful to their teacher, whose truthfulness was confirmed among them, as Titus himself witnessed. For this reason Titus came to love the Corinthians.

Yet praise of those taught and established in the faith also includes praise of their guide. Therefore he is not without reason consoled, more than all, by the common consolation.

"Do you see that he rejoices more over them? For he says: You have in no way put your teacher to shame, and you have shown yourselves worthy of my testimony about you.

Therefore he rejoiced not so much because Titus received such honor, as because they showed such goodwill toward Titus. But lest anyone think he rejoiced more on Titus' account, see how here also he sets forth the cause of his joy.

As he said above, 'If I boasted of you to him in anything, I was not put to shame,' so now he says, 'I have confidence in you in all things.' If I must rebuke you, I do not fear that you will fall away because of it.

If I must boast of you, I am not afraid of being convicted of empty praise. I have confidence in you, whether I praise you as obedient, or as abounding in love, or as zealous.