2 Corinthians 7:15

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. HIS INWARD AFFECTION - literally, bowels (cf. ; ; ). OBEDIENCE (). FEAR AND TREMBLING - with trembling anxiety to obey my wishes, fearful lest there should be ought in yourselves to offend him and me (: cf. )....

15._His bowels more abundantly. _As the _bowels _are the seat of the affections, the term is on that account employed to denote compassion, love, and every pious affection. (657) He wished, however, to express emphatically the idea, that while Titus had loved the Corinthians previously, he had been, at that time, more vehemently stirred up to love them; and that, from the innermost affections of his heart. Now, by these words he insinuates Titus into the affections of the Corinthians, as it is of advantage that the servants of Christ should be loved, that they may have it in their power to do the more good. He at the same time encourages them to go on well, that they may render themselves beloved by all the good. _With fear and trembling. _By these two words he sometimes expresses simply _respect, _(Ephesians 6:5,) and this perha

12-16 The apostle was not disappointed concerning them, which he signified to Titus; and he could with joy declare the confidence he had in them for the time to come. Here see the duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the troubles of the pastoral office, by respect and obedience; the former make a due return by his care of them, and cherish the flock by testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness....

Verse 15. _AND HIS INWARD AFFECTION_] τα σπλαγαγχνα αυτου. _Those bowels of his_-his most tender affection. For the meaning of this word Matthew 9:36. _WHILST HE REMEMBERETH THE OBEDIENCE OF YOU ALL_] This is a very natural picture; he represents Titus as overjoyed even while he is delivering his account of the Corinthian Church. He expatiated on it with extreme delight, and thereby showed at once both his love for St. Paul and his love for them. He loved them because they so loved the apostle; and he loved them because they had shown such kindness to himself; and he loved them because he found so many excellent and rare gifts, joined to so much humility, producing such an exemplary and holy life. _WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING YE RECEIVED HIM._] Ye _reverenced_ his authority; ye were _obedient_ to his directions;

AND HIS INWARD AFFECTION ... - He has become deeply and tenderly attached to you. His affectionate regard for you has been greatly increased by his visit. On the meaning of the word here rendered “inward affection” (σπλάγχια splangchia, Margin, bowels) see the note on 2 Corinthians 6:12. It denotes here: deep, tender attachment, or love. HOW WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING YE RECEIVED HIM - With fear of offending, and with deep apprehension of the consequences of remaining in sin. He saw what a fear there was of doing wrong, and what evidence there was, therefore, that you were solicitous to do right....

EXPOSITION Conclusion of his appeal (2 Corinthians 7:1). The apostle's feelings towards them (2 Corinthians 7:2). Explanation of the objects of his last letter, and expression of his joy at the good results it had brought about (2 Corinthians 7:2). 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 HAVING THEN THESE PROMISES. The promises of God's indwelling and fatherly love (2 Corinthians 6:16). DEARLY BELOVED. Perhaps the word is added to soften the ster

AND HIS INWARD AFFECTION IS MORE ABUNDANT TOWARD YOU,.... Or "his bowels"; denoting the tenderness of his heart, the strength of his affections, which inwardly and to a very great degree moved towards them; especially WHILST HE REMEMBERETH THE OBEDIENCE OF YOU ALL; to him, and to me by him; to the advice and orders given, which were so readily, cheerfully, and universally complied with; and HOW WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING YOU RECEIVED HIM; that is, with great humility and respect, with much deference to him: considering his character as a minister of the Gospel, and as one sent by the apostle to them, they embraced him with great marks of honour and esteem; for this is not to be understood of any inward slavish fear or dread of mind, or trembling of body at the sight of him, and because he came to know their estate, and with reproofs from the apostle to them....

8. THE APOSTLE'S EXHORTATIONS AND REJOICINGS. CHAPTER 6:14-7 _ 1. His Exhortations. (2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1 .)_ 2. His Rejoicing and Confidence. (2 Corinthians 7:2 .) The first exhortation is to separation from evil, without which no true fellowship with God can be enjoyed. It is one of the most important exhortations in the Pauline epistles, and greatly needed in our days of laxity and worldliness among Christians. God calls His people to holiness. “But as He who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” He has separated us from the world which lieth in the wicked one

AGONISING ANXIETY HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY ABUNDANT JOY. The cause of his anxiety had been in part the condition of affairs in the church at Corinth, but even more the measures he had taken to deal with it, followed by torturing doubt as to how these would be received by the Corinthians. Someone had behaved outrageously. Someone had been outraged. There can be no doubt that it was Paul who had suffered, though whether he was personally present or what was the nature of the outrage we cannot tell. What made it serious was that the Corinthians had not repudiated the insult to their friend. Stung by their fickleness, and moved by fear lest they should fall away altogether from himself and the gospel, Paul had written a letter so severe that from the moment he despatched it, probably by the hand of Titus, he was torn with anxiety lest it should have the very opposite effect to what he desired....

GET YOU OUT (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ; 2 Corinthians 7:1) 7:1 Do not allow yourselves to become joined in an alien yoke with unbelievers. What partnership can there be between righteousness and lawlessness? What fellowship can darkness have with light? What concord can there be with Christ and Belial? What share can the believer have with the unbeliever? What agreement can the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, even as God said, "I will dwell in them and I will walk in them, and I will be their God and they will be my people." Therefore, "Come out from among them and separate yourselves," the Lord says, "and, have no contact with impurity, and I will receive you, and I will be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters