What does 2 Corinthians 7:4 mean?

This second preserved letter to the Corinthians turns a corner in this verse. Paul has just been asking the Corinthians to make room in their hearts for him again. He insists he is innocent from any wrongdoing against them. He has made clear, though, that he is not writing to condemn them. He still feels great affection for them.

Now he begins to describe just how positive his feelings are for them. He is writing with great boldness, and not because he is ashamed or disappointed in them. The opposite is true. Paul declares the great pride he still takes in them. The following verse helps to explain why he now says that, in fact, he is filled with comfort and overflowing with joy despite all the affliction he and his friends have experienced.

Paul is returning to a story he set aside earlier in this letter (2 Corinthians 2:13). The sequence of events is this: His last visit with the Corinthians had been a painful one. An apparently influential man had been guilty of sin. After leaving them, Paul had written a difficult letter instructing them to hold this man accountable for his sin. Would they choose Paul or this sinful man? Paul did not want to return to see them until he heard how things went, so he sent Titus with that letter. The text of that message has not been preserved. Paul and arranged to meet Titus in Troas with their response. However, when Paul arrived in Troas, Titus was not there. Paul moved on to Macedonia to wait for him.

Now Paul is beginning to describe his great relief and joy at what he finally did hear from Titus about the Corinthians' response to his letter. He was comforted. They had chosen to do what was right.