I rejoice . . . that ye sorrowed to repentance

Our passage begins with Paul underlining his affection for his spiritual children. Just as his heart was open to them, he desired that they would open their hearts to him. He then appeals to them to avoid close associations with unsaved people. They must not take on an unequal yoke. The picture is one of an ox and a donkey yoked together. Intimate relationships between a Christian and a non-Christian are equally incongruous. There are fundamental differences between them. Paul shows that by posing five searching rhetorical questions. The answer to each of them can only be ‘No’. Paul’s concern is that God’s people should preserve their radical distinctiveness. The apostle’s challenge is not merely negative. God makes a special promise to those who take Paul’s plea to heart. He welcomes and receives all who reject the embrace of the world. They will experience His presence as members of His family. What an incentive to cleanse ourselves from all that defiles body and spirit and to advance in holiness in the fear of God!

Paul now recounts his experience in Macedonia when he was afflicted by outward opposition and inward anxiety. That included concern about how Titus had been received on a visit to Corinth as his representative. It was relieved by the comfort God supplied when Titus arrived, bringing his report. He recounted the reaction of the church in Corinth to Paul’s first letter. It had produced godly grief and sincere repentance. Paul rejoiced. He would have preferred not to have grieved the Corinthians but their earnest change of heart encouraged him.

Their repentance had been radical. They had implemented church discipline against an unrepentant sinner and had put themselves in the clear after their earlier indifference to his sin. Thus, the purpose of 1 Corinthians had been fulfilled. The church had been restored to loyalty to its spiritual father.

Their altered attitude had also encouraged Titus. His difficult task had been successful. They had reverently submitted themselves to his ministry and he had responded with deep affection to them. Paul’s boasting in them had proved to be true.