Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 7
When Paul wrote the Book of 1 Corinthians, he had to deal strictly with some problems in the church at Corinth. The Christians there followed his advice, so now Paul wanted to encourage them. That was a much easier and more pleasant task for Paul. To do it, Paul only needed to tell them how much their actions had encouraged him.
This was a very difficult time in Paul’s life. He had suffered much in the region then called Asia*. He then went to Troas, where he hoped to meet Titus. Titus had been in Corinth; Paul wanted to hear what had happened in Corinth. However, Titus did not come to Troas, so Paul travelled to Macedonia*.
In Macedonia, Paul found that the Christians were extremely poor. They had also suffered very much*. Paul chose to work with them and, because of that, he suffered with them. The strain was constant; the enemies of the Christians there were fierce. They did not merely argue against Paul; they cruelly attacked him. In addition to his physical pain, Paul also felt a sense of fear. Paul does not say what he was afraid of. It seems that Paul was not afraid to suffer or even to die for Christ*. So perhaps Paul felt that fear because he was suffering such great strain*.
Then, at last, Titus reached Paul with news from Corinth. Corinth’s Christians had decided to follow Paul’s advice, and more importantly, to obey God. Paul’s joy was without limit. He felt so proud of them - like a father’s pride when his children make a wise decision*. Clearly, Paul had not wasted his time in Corinth. In fact, God was now using Corinth’s Christians to carry out his (God’s) work. God even used them to comfort and to encourage Paul in that difficult situation*.
Next part: God acted to comfort Paul (7:6-7)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.