King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 7:13 Mean?

2 Corinthians 7:13 in the King James Version says “Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his sp...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

2 Corinthians 7:13 · KJV

ComfortJoyHoly Spirit

Context

11

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

12

Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

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.

14

For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

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. inward: Gr. bowels

Read 2 Corinthians 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do I take genuine joy in the spiritual victories of ministry colleagues, or does their success trigger envy?
  2. How can I 'refresh the spirit' of Christian workers who serve me or my church community?
  3. What does the corporate nature ('all of you') of refreshing Titus teach about individual versus communal responsibility in pastoral care?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
διὰ1 of 23

“Therefore”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο2 of 23
G5124

that thing

παρακεκλήμεθα3 of 23

“we were comforted”

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

ἐπὶ4 of 23

“for”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ5 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παρακλήσει6 of 23

“comfort”

G3874

imploration, hortation, solace

ὑμῶν7 of 23

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

περισσοτέρως8 of 23

“exceedingly”

G4056

more superabundantly

δὲ9 of 23

“yea and”

G1161

but, and, etc

μᾶλλον10 of 23

“the more”

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

ἐχάρημεν11 of 23

“joyed we”

G5463

to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well

ἐπὶ12 of 23

“for”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ13 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χαρᾷ14 of 23

“the joy”

G5479

cheerfulness, i.e., calm delight

Τίτου15 of 23

“of Titus”

G5103

titus, a christian

ὅτι16 of 23

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἀναπέπαυται17 of 23

“was refreshed”

G373

(reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication, to refresh

τὸ18 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα19 of 23

“spirit”

G4151

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

αὐτοῦ20 of 23

“his”

G846

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

ἀπὸ21 of 23

“by”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

πάντων22 of 23

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῶν23 of 23

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 7:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 7:6Romans 15:321 Corinthians 13:5-71 Corinthians 12:261 Corinthians 16:132 Corinthians 7:15

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2 Corinthians 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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