2 Corinthians 7:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
Therefore
G1223
διὰ
Therefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 23
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
παρακεκλήμεθα
we were comforted
G3870
παρακεκλήμεθα
we were comforted
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
3 of 23
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μᾶλλον
the more
G3123
μᾶλλον
the more
Strong's:
G3123
Word #:
10 of 23
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
ἐχάρημεν
joyed we
G5463
ἐχάρημεν
joyed we
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
11 of 23
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀναπέπαυται
was refreshed
G373
ἀναπέπαυται
was refreshed
Strong's:
G373
Word #:
17 of 23
(reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication, to refresh
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
19 of 23
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;Romans 15:32That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.1 Corinthians 12:26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Historical Context
Titus risked personal danger delivering Paul's severe letter to a volatile church that had rejected Paul's authority. His courage and diplomatic skill defused conflict and brokered reconciliation. Paul's joy at Titus's 'refreshed spirit' models healthy ministry teams: senior leaders rejoice when younger colleagues succeed, and successful outcomes bring mutual joy, not competition.
Questions for Reflection
- Do I take genuine joy in the spiritual victories of ministry colleagues, or does their success trigger envy?
- How can I 'refresh the spirit' of Christian workers who serve me or my church community?
- What does the corporate nature ('all of you') of refreshing Titus teach about individual versus communal responsibility in pastoral care?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore we were comforted in your comfort—Dia touto parakeklēmetha (διὰ τοῦτο παρακεκλήμεθα, "therefore we have been comforted"). The perfect tense indicates ongoing comfort resulting from the Corinthians' repentance. Paul's comfort isn't self-referential but participatory—he rejoices in their spiritual restoration, not his vindication.
Yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all—Epi de tē paraklēsei hēmōn perissoteros mallon echārēmen epi tē chara Titou, hoti anapepautai to pneuma autou apo pantōn hymōn (ἐπὶ δὲ τῇ παρακλήσει ἡμῶν περισσοτέρως μᾶλλον ἐχάρημεν ἐπὶ τῇ χαρᾷ Τίτου, ὅτι ἀναπέπαυται τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ πάντων ὑμῶν, "and beyond our comfort, we rejoiced even more at Titus's joy, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you"). Anapauō (ἀναπαύω, "to refresh/give rest") appears in Matthew 11:28 of Christ's rest. The Corinthians embodied Christ's refreshment to Titus. Apo pantōn hymōn (ἀπὸ πάντων ὑμῶν, "by all of you")—corporate unity in receiving Titus healed divisions.