Inward Affection Toward the Church Members 2 Corinthians 7:15

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed”, and he added, “but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth”, and in chapter seven and verse fifteen of Second Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members about his, “inward affection” toward them where we read:

And his inward affection is more abundant toward you,

while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.

The verse begins, “And his inward affection is more abundant toward you,...” Paul began with the words, “and his” which means “and Titus'” “inward affection” which means “bowels, tender mercy or heart”“is more abundant” or “exceedingly more earnest and greater than others” “toward you” or “toward the Corinthian church members”. Paul recognized the “passionate heart” “Titus” had toward the church members in Corinth.

The verse goes on to say, “while he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.” Paul continues with the words, “while he remembers” which means “at the time he was reminded, admonished, weighed well and considered” “the obedience” or “the compliance or submission” “of you all” which refers to “each, every, the whole and everyone of the church members”, “how” or “as” “with fear” or “with dread, terror and reverence” “and trembling” or “quaking with fear and anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfill his duty” “you received him” which means “the church members accepted, granted access to and were hospitable to Titus”. “Titus” “recounted or remembered” the way the church members “submitted to and obeyed” to exhortation and “received” him with “reverence and respect”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how “Titus” cared for the church members in Corinth. His affection toward them was so notable, Paul mentioned it as he recalled “Titus” sharing about the church members' “submission” to Paul's directives. Jesus Christ desires for the leaders of His church to have “inward affection” toward those whom He entrusts, and likewise, church members please Him when they submit to “godly instruction”. Too often one or the other have been absent, and when they are, the church is not functioning as it should, and Jesus is misrepresented to the world.

Next time we end this chapter as Paul tells the church members,“I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in” the church members, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.