13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.
15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
16 Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
boasted (v.14) = lit. “living with head up high”
In the above passage we find two men rejoicing exceedingly: Paul and Titus. But of Titus we read that his “inward affection” for the Corinthians was the “more abundant” as he remembered their “obedience,” how “with fear and trembling” they had received him.
This was no doubt partly due to their own failures, which he had come to discuss with them. However, it must also have been partly due to Titus’ own strength of character.
It is interesting that in Paul’s letter to him he addressed him as a general in the army might address his lieutenant, directing him to set in order the things that are wanting, to exhort and convince the gainsayers, to stop the mouths of the unruly and vain talkers, to rebuke sharply those who live in sin and to reject wilful heretics (Titus 1:5, 9, 11, 13; 3:10). …
The reader will recall that Titus had specially been taken, with Paul, to Jerusalem as a test case for Gentile liberty from the Law, and regarding his firm stand there we read that Titus was not compelled to be circumcised either as he, with Paul “gave place by subjection, no not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with [the Gentile believers]” (Galatians 2:3, 5).
Paul [also] chose him to be the pastor at Crete, whose inhabitants are described as “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12) — Stam, pages 168-169.
As I understand this passage, Paul had sent Titus to Corinth to help the church members there get back on track after their many shortcomings (as explained in 1 Corinthians). But while he did this, Paul was also boasting to Titus that the Corinthians had gotten their act together. Titus found this to be true. The members of the church met him with fear (of admonishment) and obeyed his instructions. It cheered Titus to find out that what Paul said about them was true, which, in turn, cheered Paul. Paul now had confidence that they wouldn’t fail again.
