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I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.

Paul’s Joy at the Church’s Repentance

When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

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A Letter That Caused Sadness

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride[a] on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement;[b] I am overflowing with joy in the midst of[c] all our suffering. For even when we came into Macedonia, our body[d] had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way—struggles from the outside, fears from within. But God, who encourages[e] the downhearted, encouraged[f] us by the arrival of Titus. We were encouraged[g] not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement[h] you gave[i] him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning,[j] your deep concern[k] for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 7:4 tn Grk “great is my boasting.”
  2. 2 Corinthians 7:4 tn Or “comfort.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 7:4 tn Grk “I am overflowing with joy in all our suffering”; the words “in the midst of” are not in the Greek text but are supplied to clarify that Paul is not rejoicing in the suffering itself, but in his relationship with the Corinthians in the midst of all his suffering.
  4. 2 Corinthians 7:5 tn Grk “our flesh.”
  5. 2 Corinthians 7:6 tn Or “comforts,” “consoles.”
  6. 2 Corinthians 7:6 tn Or “comforted,” “consoled.”
  7. 2 Corinthians 7:7 tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “We were encouraged.”
  8. 2 Corinthians 7:7 tn Or “comfort,” “consolation.”
  9. 2 Corinthians 7:7 tn Grk “by the encouragement with which he was encouraged by you.” The passive construction was translated as an active one in keeping with contemporary English style, and the repeated word “encouraged” was replaced in the translation by “gave” to avoid redundancy in the translation.
  10. 2 Corinthians 7:7 tn Or “your grieving,” “your deep sorrow.”
  11. 2 Corinthians 7:7 tn Or “your zeal.”