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 х 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, х 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).