Confidence Restored

Confidence Restored
Words of Faith 11-6-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Corinthians 7
[13b] In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. [14] I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. [15] And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. [16] I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

      How do you heal a relationship that has had its bumps and bruises? Paul had a solution. He expressed confidence in those he had struggled with as an act of faith, and that faith was rewarded.

      Paul could have sent Titus on this trip to carry a "severe letter" with a harsh warning about the Corinthians. He could have pointed out all the people to "watch out for". He could have warned Titus about the possible pitfalls among the people that he had grown to know very well. But he did not do this. Instead, Paul expressed a strong confidence in the Corinthians that would treat Titus well, and they did.

     Titus did not encounter anything negative. Instead, he was met by the godly sorrow of the Corinthians. Titus was as relieved and encouraged as Paul. Apparently, Titus had had little or no occasion before he visited Corinth with the "severe letter". He was dependent on Paul's glowing recommendation.

      It is not clear whether this was Titus's first visit to Corinth. The occasion probably gave Titus some trepidation about the trip. The good thing was that the believers at Corinth had "helped put his mind at ease". The phrase in Greek may also be translated "his spirit has been refreshed." Perhaps both refreshment and relief had come to Titus.

      Paul was relieved because his generous reassurances to Titus about the Corinthians had been supported. Just as his own truthfulness had been vindicated at Corinth, so also his boasting about them had now proved fully justified.

      Interestingly, the reception of Titus at Corinth had been given "with fear and trembling". Hearing that Titus was coming, the Corinthian believers were anxious to the point of nervousness, fearing that corporately they would fail to meet all their obligations toward an envoy from Paul. Moreover, they had all readily complied with some demand Titus had made of them. Whenever he recalled their obedience and respectful deference to him, his affection grew all the warmer. This gave Paul complete confidence in the Corinthians and a secure base from which to propose the completion of the collection.

      The concluding phrase of this chapter is a delightful one:  I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. Paul still longed for a reciprocation of affection from the Corinthians, but he no longer lacked confidence in them. This must have been reassuring to them as well.

       Restored confidence is a good thing. It implies a rebuilding of trust and restoration of the relationship. Things were getting better following a rocky time. Sometimes, restoring confidence is the first step in rebuilding a relationship that has experienced its share of bumps. The reciprocation of affection that Paul longed for may come in time. Still, healing often starts when we express confidence and build from there.

       Is there someone whom you need to restore confidence in? Is there a relationship that needs to be rebuilt? Reciprocal affection may not be present for a while. Still, Paul teaches us that we can start by expressing confidence in the things we know to be true —looking for the best and expecting the best from those who are seeking to walk with the Lord. It is amazing what that gift of confidence can do and how it can grow.

       Father God, thank You for the miracles of Your Spirit. Thank You for the restoration of relationships that You can provide and complete. Thank you for restoring communication and restoring confidence. Help me to express confidence in those whom you are building up. Help to heal the difficult relationships. Give me confidence in what You are doing in Your Body of Christ. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.