(12) Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. (13) Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. (14) For if I have boasted anything to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. (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. (16) I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
There would have needed no occasion to have offered any observation on these verses, as they had a particular relation to the Church at Corinth; the personal circumstances Paul referred to, would have rendered it unnecessary, had that been all. But there are some things here noticed, which have a general tendency to benefit the whole Church of Christ; and as such, should not be passed by. It is always profitable to believers, to mark in their own persons, the blessed operations of grace. When God pours out a spirit of grace and supplication, upon any of his people; it is refreshing to the soul, to mark their gracious properties, and effects. And when the eye of the soul, is thereby directed to Christ, until the heart is suitably affected with the melting contemplation, the promise of God is confirmed and assured. We then prove the truth of Scripture, and we are God's witnesses in point.
Neither is this all. For as these things relate to ourselves, we discover the divine love by the effect. Ordinances, means of grace, public worship, closet exercises; all, and everyone of these, are unprofitable, until the Spirit comes to give them life and energy, as Paul saith, behold this self-same thing, how graciously the Lord hath wrought when are induced those blessed effects: godly sorrow for sin: carefulness to avoid sin: indignation against the authors of sin; the world, the enemy of souls, and our corrupt hearts: yea, an holy, jealous fear, which the Lord puts into the heart to keep his people from sin, in departing from him: a zeal for his glory, and a revenge against all that would oppose that glory. These sweet and gracious effects, spring from the first great cause; and prove, that the repentance is God's gift, not man's setting up: and as it comes from God; so it leads the soul to God; who alone can, and doth say, fear not, I am thy salvation. I hope the Reader, through grace, will discover in both views the Lord's mercy, and man's advantage; and learn to whom is to be given, all the glory.