2 Corinthians 7:15

2Co_7:15. Καὶ τὰ σπλάγχνα κ.τ.λ.] joyful result of ἡ καύχησις ἡμῶν … ἐγενήθη. A comma only is to be put after 2Co_7:14 : and thus, therefore, his inmost heart (comp. 2Co_6:12) is attached to you in a still higher degree (than before his presence there) since he remembers, et.

εἰς ὑμᾶς ἐστίν] is for you. Comp. εἰς αὐτόν, 1Co_8:6; Rom_11:36.

ὑπακοήν] namely, towards him, Titus; for what follows is epexegetica.

μετὰ φόβου κ. τρόμου] i.e. with a zeal, which fears lest it should not do enough for its duty. Comp. on 1Co_2:3.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Co 7:15 . καὶ τὰ σπλάγχνα κ . τ . λ .: and his heart is more abundantly towards you, while he recalls to himself the obedience of you all, how with fear (see reff. and cf. Mat 28:8 , 1Pe 3:15 , for μετὰ φόβου ) and trembling you received him . He had brought a stern message, which involved the excommunication of the unworthy member (1Co 5:5 ); it was no wonder that they trembled at his coming.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

his inward affection--literally, "bowels" (compare Co2 6:12; Phi 1:8; Phi 2:1; Col 3:12).

obedience-- (Co2 2:9).

fear and trembling--with trembling anxiety to obey my wishes, and fearful lest there should be aught in yourselves to offend him and me (Co2 7:11; compare Co1 2:3).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 15. And his inward affection] τα σπλαγαγχνα αυτου. Those bowels of his-his most tender affection. For the meaning of this word See Clarke on Mt 9:36.

Whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all] This is a very natural picture; he represents Titus as overjoyed even while he is delivering his account of the Corinthian Church. He expatiated on it with extreme delight, and thereby showed at once both his love for St. Paul and his love for them. He loved them because they so loved the apostle; and he loved them because they had shown such kindness to himself; and he loved them because he found so many excellent and rare gifts, joined to so much humility, producing such an exemplary and holy life.

With fear and trembling ye received him.] Ye reverenced his authority; ye were obedient to his directions; and ye dreaded lest any thing should be undone or ill done which he had delivered to you in the name of God.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

15. His bowels more abundantly. As the bowels are the seat of the affections, the term is on that account employed to denote compassion, love, and every pious affection. He wished, however, to express emphatically the idea, that while Titus had loved the Corinthians previously, he had been, at that time, more vehemently stirred up to love them; and that, from the innermost affections of his heart. Now, by these words he insinuates Titus into the affections of the Corinthians, as it is of advantage that the servants of Christ should be loved, that they may have it in their power to do the more good. He at the same time encourages them to go on well, that they may render themselves beloved by all the good.

With fear and trembling. By these two words he sometimes expresses simply respect, (Ephesians 6:5,) and this perhaps would not suit ill with this passage, though I should have no objection to view the trembling as mentioned particularly to mean, that, being conscious of having acted amiss, they were afraid to face him. It is true that even those, that are resolute in their iniquities, tremble at the sight of the judge, but voluntary trembling, that proceeds from ingenuous shame, is a sign of repentance. Whichever exposition you may choose, this passage teaches, what is a right reception for the ministers of Christ. Assuredly, it is not sumptuous banquets, it is not splendid apparel, it is not courteous and honorable salutations, it is not the plaudits of the multitude, that gratify the upright and faithful pastor. He experiences, on the other hand, an overflowing of delight, when the doctrine of salvation is received with reverence from his mouth, when he retains the authority that belongs to him for the edification of the Church, when the people give themselves up to his direction, to be regulated by his ministry under Christ’s banners. An example of this we see here in Titus. He at length, in the close, confirms again, what he had previously stated — that he had never been offended to such a degree, as altogether to distrust the Corinthians.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(15) His inward affection.—The margin gives the literal meaning of the Greek, which is used here with the same meaning as in 2Co_6:12. Perhaps “heart,” or “feelings,” would be the best English equivalent. The recollection of what had passed at Corinth had bound him by ties of closest sympathy with the disciples there.

With fear and trembling.—The combination is a favourite one with St. Paul. (Comp. 1Co_2:3; Eph_6:5; Php_2:12.) What it means is that Titus had been received, not, as he feared, with petulant resistance, but with respectful reverence, not without an element of fear.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15. his inward affection] Bowels, margin. See note on ch. 2Co_6:12. The translation here is Tyndale’s.

more abundant] Literally, more exceeding. See note on 2Co_7:4.

the obedience of you all] Cf. ch. 2Co_2:9, and 2Co_10:6.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you,.... Or "his bowels"; denoting the tenderness of his heart, the strength of his affections, which inwardly and to a very great degree moved towards them; especially

whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all; to him, and to me by him; to the advice and orders given, which were so readily, cheerfully, and universally complied with; and

how with fear and trembling you received him; that is, with great humility and respect, with much deference to him: considering his character as a minister of the Gospel, and as one sent by the apostle to them, they embraced him with great marks of honour and esteem; for this is not to be understood of any inward slavish fear or dread of mind, or trembling of body at the sight of him, and because he came to know their estate, and with reproofs from the apostle to them.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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.

Ver. 15. Whiles he remembereth] Deep affections make deep impressions.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And his inward affection ... - He has become deeply and tenderly attached to you. His affectionate regard for you has been greatly increased by his visit. On the meaning of the word here rendered “inward affection” (σπλάγχια splangchia, Margin, bowels) see the note on 2Co 6:12. It denotes here: deep, tender attachment, or love.

How with fear and trembling ye received him - With fear of offending, and with deep apprehension of the consequences of remaining in sin. He saw what a fear there was of doing wrong, and what evidence there was, therefore, that you were solicitous to do right.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

By your obedience to my admonitions and exhortations, you have not only obliged me in a debt of love to you, but Titus also; who joyfully remembers, with what

fear and trembling you received him, lest he should find any thing amongst you that should grieve and offend him.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

His inward affection. The same word which is so needlessly rendered "bowels" in 2Co_6:12. More abundant. His love for you has been increased by his recent visit. With fear and trembling. On this Pauline phrase, see 1Co_2:3.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him .

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

15. And his inward affection, etc. He had not been received with distrust or coldness or stubborn disobedience, but in a humble and repentant Christian spirit, which had greatly increased his affection.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

the obedience of all of you

This noun "obedience" can be stated with a verb, "obey." AT: "how all of you obeyed" (See: Abstract Nouns)

you welcomed him with fear and trembling

Here "fear" and "trembling" share similar meanings and emphasize the intensity of fear. AT: "you welcomed him with great reverence" (See: Doublet)

with fear and trembling

Possible meanings are 1) "with great reverence for God" or 2) "with great reverence for Titus."

translationWords

obey

fear

tremble

joy

confidence

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

15. ‘And this happy result has had a marked effect upon Titus, so that his inward affection is more abundantly towards you. Your receiving him with fear and trembling proved your obedience, the remembrance of which keeps his heart very warm towards you.’ They had received him ὡς ἄγγελον θεοῦ (Gal 4:14); comp. 1Sa 16:4.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15.] enlarges ἀλήθεια ἐγενήθη. And his heart is more abundantly (turned) toward you, remembering as he does the obedience of you all, how (i.e. which was shewn in the fact, that) with fear and trembling ye received him. ‘Fear and trembling,’ i.e. ‘lest ye should not pay enough regard to my injunctions, and honour enough his mission from me.’

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15. καὶ τὰ σπλάγχνα αὐτοῦ. ‘And so his heart goes out to you the more abundantly,’ i.e. still more than before he came to you and had this happy experience.* They received him as the Galatians received St Paul (Gal 4:14), in spite of the stern letter which he brought. Hence his affection for them when he recalls it all. Cf. αἱ καρδίαι αὐτῶν εἰς πονηρίαν (Dan 11:27, Theod.).

τὴν πάντων ὑμῶν ὑπακοήν. These words indicate that Titus had very definite demands to make, and that compliance with them was universal. There was no thought of rebellion against the Apostle or his delegate.

μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου. This strong expression suggests something more than that they were afraid that they could not do enough to please him. St Paul himself had confessed to having had this feeling when he first begun his work in Corinth (1Co 2:3), and in him it meant a nervous anxiety to do his duty.* No other N.T. writer uses the phrase, and this seems to be its meaning in the four places in which it occurs. The other two are Eph 6:5 and Php 2:12, where see Lightfoot. In Eph 6:5 this ‘fear and trembling’ is opposed to ‘eye-service’ In Isa 19:16, ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ means actual terror.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.