2 Corinthians 7:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But someone will say that this seems to contradict what was said before. Not at all. On the contrary, it agrees with it very well.

What he now says makes acceptable what he said earlier. The present praise increases the benefit of the former reproofs by removing their bitterness. Therefore he pours out these words very fittingly and generously.

He did not say, “I am filled with joy,” but, “I abound.” And not only, “I abound,” but, “I overflow,” thereby showing the strength of his love.

Although he is so loved by them that he can rejoice and be glad, he still does not consider himself loved as he ought to be loved. He does not think that he has received everything from them. So insatiable was his love for them!

“I have great confidence in you. I boast greatly of you.”

It might seem that he had offended them by saying, “You are restricted in your hearts,” and, “Make room for us.” Therefore he now justifies himself and heals them, saying: I said this not to condemn you, but because of my great boldness toward you.

I spoke from a desire to move you toward virtue. That I do not condemn you is clear from the fact that I boast of you before others.

“I am filled with consolation; I overflow with joy in all our affliction.” You have corrected the very things for which I condemned you in the former epistle, he says, and have filled me with consolation.

I have great confidence in you because of your former love. I have great boasting concerning you because of your present endurance.

I am filled with consolation and overflow with joy in all our affliction, because my joy increases when I hear of your endurance.

This confidence rests on the positive result of the rebuke contained in the First Epistle, which the Corinthians did not receive with offense. This confidence allowed him to return to exhortations, for it was evident that they wanted correction, and for this they receive praise.

Paul says that his soul was so consoled for them that, despite all his overflowing sorrows, he rejoices. He sees hope in those men for whom he suffers oppression. He rejoices amid adversities, confident that he will receive a reward from God for the salvation the Corinthians have found.

“Great is my boldness toward you,” as a father toward children and as a teacher toward disciples. “Great is my boasting concerning you,” for I boast in you and everywhere proclaim your faith.

“I am filled with consolation; I overflow with joy in all our affliction,” because the remembrance of you serves as an occasion of every consolation for me. Then the Apostle again describes the temptations.

Returning to his interrupted account of the reasons that delayed his arrival in Corinth, the Apostle expresses the joy and consolation brought to him by the return of Titus. He also speaks of all that Titus saw and encountered in Corinth (2 Cor 7:2-16).

First he notes, though not in condemnation of the Corinthians, that he had wronged no one among them, harmed no one, and sought gain from no one. Contrary to all the slanders brought against him, he holds them all in his heart and boasts much of them.

Saint Paul continues: “I now overflow with joy,” that is, after the arrival of Titus, “although when we came into Macedonia from Troas, our flesh had no rest. Outside were attacks, within were fears” (2 Cor 7:2-7).

Continuing to establish the most heartfelt relations with the Corinthians, the Apostle repeats his desire for the closest communion with them, already expressed in 6:12. He declares that nothing hinders this, either on his side or on theirs.

They cannot complain of him in anything: neither of corruption, nor deception, nor covetousness. He, meanwhile, has many occasions and grounds to boast of their virtues. Thus he is comforted by them, rejoices through them, and loves them so much that he is ready to live and die with them.

These words express what burst from the Apostle’s soul after Titus told him how he had been received in Corinth. He also told him what effect the Apostle’s epistle had produced upon the believers there.

They repented of their disorders, grieved over them, and firmly resolved to correct everything according to Saint Paul’s instructions. They also testified their love and deep respect for him himself.

Bringing all this to mind, the Apostle says: “Great is my boldness toward you.” By your deeds you have shown that I can boldly address you with every word, being assured that you will obey me in all things.