And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

When he told us - Greek, 'telling us.' We shared in the comfort Titus felt in recording your desire (2 Corinthians 7:13). He rejoiced in announcing the good news; we in hearing it.

Earnest desire - Greek, 'longing desire after' me [ epipotheesin (G1972)]; both to see and to please me.

Mourning - over your own remissness in not having immediately punished the sin, (1 Corinthians 5:1, etc.)

Fervent mind - Greek, 'zeal' (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:11; John 2:17).

Toward me, [ huper (G5228)] - 'for my sake.' They in Paul's behalf showed the zeal against sin which Paul would have shown had he been present.

Rejoiced the more - more than at the mere coming of Titus; or, 'more than I sorrowed before' (Olshausen).

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