7:4-9 What do we understand from what Paul says here?
7:4-9 What do we understand from what Paul says here?
We understand from this that Paul was overjoyed when Titus told him of the Corinthian's love for him and of their obedience to his letter commanding them to discipline an offending member of the church (CP V11-12).
At first Paul was sorry he wrote the letter, but later was glad because it turned the Corinthians again to God, and they sorrowed and repented of their ways (CP V8-9). This vindicated Paul's boasting about them to Titus. He was always confident they would justify his pride in them (CP V13-16).
Many in the church believe that the offender in V12 is the incestuous man Paul commanded the Corinthians to excommunicate in 1Cor 5 and restore to fellowship in 2Cor 2 (CP 1Cor 5:1-8, 13; 2Cor 2:5-11).
Whether or not this is the same man is not relevant here. It is more important to know that the Corinthians turned again to God and repented of their ways.