Blessings Of The Christian Family (7:2-16)
Neal Pollard
God designed the church as His house filled with His children (cf. 1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1-2). Despite the ways we can try one another and disappoint each other, the church is filled with the best people on earth. We may see each other at our worst, but we also will see each other at our best. And, at our best, we see Christ shining out through each other’s lives.
Paul has admonished these Christians to live distinctive, holy lives (6:14-7:1), and now he makes another personal plea to them. He urges them, saying, “Make room in your hearts for us” (1). While he does defend his behavior and that of his coworkers (2), he also says it out of “great pride” for them (4). He uses this as an opportunity to focus on “the bright side,” noting all the improvements and development these Christians–living in an unwholesome society–had made. In doing so, he helps us take inventory of our church family and its many blessings. Consider a few of them in chapter seven.
COMFORT (6-7,13)
It’s amazing how, when we are at our lowest, our brethren have an uncanny knack for encouraging us. That’s what Paul experienced during some moments of great affliction, exhaustion, turmoil, and fear (5). He recognized how God comforted them through especially Titus, who had been comforted by the Corinthians (6-7). Their behavior transformed the grief of Paul, who had been worried about the Corinthians’ spiritual state (7). The joy Titus felt sent waves of comfort through Paul and Timothy (13). I’ve not only seen this happen, I’ve experienced it more times than I can count.
FRUITS OF REPENTANCE (8-12)
Paul experienced something most anyone who has had to engage in rebuke and admonition feels. Few relish having to make others feel badly about their words or actions. He wasn’t sorry he did what God wanted him to do, but he could not help feeling regret in his humanity (8). But, what a blessing to see God’s plan work and His wisdom vindicated. The power of the Word brought about repentance, which Paul describes as “godly grief” (9-10), reformation of behavior proven by earnestness, eagerness to clear themselves, and other actions which “proved themselves innocent” (11). Their broken hearts led to such change of behavior that it was clear “in the sight of God” (12). Seeing the Word break sinful hearts and bring about godly change is so faith-affirming and the cause of unanticipated joy.
PRIDE (14)
Paul calls his confidence in the Corinthians “boasting,” but not an empty boast. His optimism about their potential to repent and change was vindicated. How many times have we seen our brethren do the right thing, even when it was hard and even if it meant publicly repenting. We felt like they would do what was right, and what pride we take in them when they do!
AFFECTION (15)
Titus felt affection over this transformation in the Corinthians, which was brought on by their obedience. How did they view their sinfulness? With fear and trembling. It really does (or should) touch our hearts and bind us to our brethren who view their sins with sorrow, resolved to do better.
JOY THROUGH CONFIDENCE (16)
Paul said, “I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.” This word the ESV translated “joy” means to “be in a state of happiness and well-being” (BDAG). What is the source of pure joy, even in trying times (cf. 6:10)? Brethren who live up to their potential and follow through with the best part of their nature. To believe a brother will do what’s right and put away what’s wrong, then see him do it, creates this rejoicing described by Paul here.
Isn’t it interesting how none of these blessings are material, financial, or physical. It seems that God’s greatest blessings are like the ones described by Paul here. And he accomplishes it through our spiritual family members, even when they have behaved in disappointing ways in the past. God sees what we can be; we should see that not only in ourselves but in each other.
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