His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
Parallel translations
- WEB His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.
- KJV 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.
- BSB And his affection for you is even greater when he remembers that you were all obedient as you welcomed him with fear and trembling.
- NKJV And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
- NLT Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Titus's affection for the Corinthians grew as he recalled their obedience and the reverent way they received him. Their humble welcome deepened the bond.
Overview
Paul reports that Titus's love for the Corinthians increased as he remembered their obedience and the 'fear and trembling' with which they received him. Their respectful, repentant reception left a lasting impression. Such humility and obedience strengthen relationships within the body of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Phil 2:12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
- 1 Jn 3:17But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
- 2 Cor 2:9For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
- Isa 66:2For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but to this man will I look, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.
- Ps 119:120My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN
- Ps 2:11Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
- 2 Th 3:14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
- Col 3:12Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
- 2 Cor 10:5–6throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
- Job 21:6When I remember, I am troubled. Horror takes hold of my flesh.
- 2 Cor 7:10–11For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
- Hos 13:1When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.
- Song 5:4My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him.
- 2 Cor 6:12You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
- Ezra 9:4Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel were assembled to me, because of their trespass of the captivity; and I sat confounded until the evening offering.
- Acts 16:29He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
- Phil 1:8For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
- Ezra 10:9Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the wide place in front of God’s house, trembling because of this matter, and because of the great rain.
- Eph 6:5Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;
- Gen 43:30Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there.
- 1 Kgs 3:26Then the woman whose the living child was spoke to the king, for her heart yearned over her son, and she said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and in no way kill him!” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 7:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.