2 Corinthians 7:12 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, the apostle tries to comfort the Corinthians, because his warnings had done them good. He first tells them that his earlier letter had a good purpose, even if it seemed severe (2 Corinthians 7:12). He was not mainly concerned for the man who had done the wrong, or even just for the injured man, who was his father. He was also thinking about the whole church, so that such a serious sin, and the shame attached to it, would not be left among them without proper concern and correction.

He also tells them about Titus’s joy, as well as his own, because of their repentance and better conduct. Titus was encouraged and refreshed by their comfort, and that same comfort encouraged Paul too (2 Corinthians 7:13). When Titus later remembered how they welcomed him, how they obeyed the apostolic instructions, and how they received Paul’s rebuke with fear and trembling, those memories deepened his affection for them (2 Corinthians 7:15). Great comfort and joy follow genuine sorrow for sin. Sin brings grief, but repentance and change bring joy. Paul was glad, Titus was glad, and the Corinthians were comforted, and the person who repents should be comforted too. It is fitting that there should be such joy on earth, since there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

Paul finishes this matter by expressing full confidence in them. He was not ashamed of what he had told Titus in their praise (2 Corinthians 7:14), because his hope for them had not been disappointed. He could now speak with real joy about the trust he still had in them, that they would continue to do what was right. It is a great comfort to a faithful minister to work with people he can trust, people he has reason to believe will follow what is asked of them for God’s glory, the gospel’s honor, and their own good.