7:12 ¶ 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. 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in
you in all things.
Paul did not write the condemnation of the first letter for the
guilty man or his father but to show the Corinthians how much he cared for them
and was concerned about them. This is the kind of care he gave to the churches
he started. He might rip the hide off of the Corinthians but he lovingly put it
back on when they understood what he was saying and why he was saying it.
1Thessalonians 2:1 ¶ For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance
in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated,
as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel
of God with much contention. 3 For our
exhortation was not of deceit,
nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But
as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak;
not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering
words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men
sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet
of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 ¶ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse
cherisheth her children: 8 So being
affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not
the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour
and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable
unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are
witnesses, and God also, how
holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and
comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom
and glory.
Earlier, Paul gave three purposes for Christian preaching.
1Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Preachers edify or teach doctrine and truth, they exhort or
encourage people to action, to live as Christ would have them live, and they
comfort those to whom they speak. These purposes are all necessary in their
place.
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