God. Comforted us by the coming of Titus, and with the joyful news he brought me, of the submission and repentance of the incestuous man, and of the good state you are in, of your earnest desire to see me. Now I have no reason to repent, that I wrote to you pretty sharply; though my letter troubled you, through the concern you were in on account of the incestuous man, yet both his sorrow, and yours for his sake, will turn to his, and your greater advantage, with a lasting repentance, such as a true sorrow produces, when it is from God. I see the good effects, by the apology or defence you make for yourselves, by your zealous indignation, and, as it were, revenge against sin (Witham)
Paul always makes a great thing of the coming of Titus, because he wants the Corinthians to hold him in honor and respect. There is nothing more guaranteed to cement a friendship than to help someone know how they have been helpful.
Nevertheless He that comforts the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus.
For since he had testified great things of them in what he said, that he may not seem to be flattering them he cites as witness Titus the brother , who had come from them to Paul after the first Epistle to declare unto him the particulars of their amendment. But consider, I pray you, how in every place he makes a great matter of the coming of Titus. For he says also before, Furthermore when I came to Troas for the Gospel, I had no relief for my spirit because I found not Titus my brother; c. ii. 12, 13 and in this place again we were comforted, he says, by the coming of Titus. For he is desirous also of establishing the man in their confidence and of making him exceedingly dear to them. And observe how he provides for both these things. For by saying on the one hand, I had no relief for my spirit, he shows the greatness of his virtue; and by saying on the other, that, in our tribulation his coming sufficed ...
