John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 7:4

"Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction." — 2 Corinthians 7:4 (ASV)

Great is my boldness. Now, as if he had obtained the enlargement of heart from the Corinthians that he had desired, he stops complaining and pours out his heart with cheerfulness. “What need is there for me to spend so much effort on a matter already accomplished?

“For I think I already have what I asked. For the things that Titus has reported to me concerning you are not merely sufficient for quieting my mind, but also give me reason for glorying confidently on your account. Furthermore, they have effectively dispelled the grief that many great and heavy afflictions had caused me.”

He goes on step by step, as a climax, because glorying is more than having an easy and quiet mind, and being freed from grief caused by many afflictions, is greater than either of those.

Chrysostom explains this boldness somewhat differently, in this way—“If I deal with you more freely, it is because, relying on the assurance of your goodwill toward me, I think I can take such liberty with you.” I have stated, however, what seemed to me to be the more probable meaning—that the report given by Titus had removed the unfavorable impression, which had previously racked his mind.