Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Corinthians 7:13

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Corinthians 7:13

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Corinthians 7:13

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"Therefore we have been comforted: And in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all." — 2 Corinthians 7:13 (ASV)

Therefore we were comforted.—The tense of the Greek verb implies a different structure of the sentence: Therefore we have been comforted: and upon (i.e., over and above) our comfort we rejoiced all the more at the joy of Titus. That was to St. Paul a new source of happiness. The intense sympathy of his nature would have made him share the disappointment of his delegate, and in the same way he now shares his joy. The messenger had shown himself to be his true son in the faith (Titus 1:1).

His spirit was refreshed.—Better, as expressing the permanence of the effect, has been refreshed. The term was a favourite one with the writer. Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus had “refreshed” his spirit (1 Corinthians 16:18; compare also Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:20). The primary idea of the word is, however, rather that of “giving rest” to the weary, as in Matthew 11:28, Matthew 26:45.