2 Corinthians 2:13

13 I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus, but I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:13 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:13

I had no rest in my spirit
Though there was such a door opened to preach the Gospel, and such an opportunity of doing good, yet he was greatly distressed in his mind; very restless and uneasy in his spirit, and could not be satisfied to stay; which shows, that though he was so great a man, he was but a man, and of like passions with others: and the occasion of this dissatisfaction and uneasiness was,

because,
says he,

I found not Titus my brother;
whom he so styles, not merely because he was a fellow Christian, but because he was a fellow labourer in the Gospel; and by calling him so, puts an honour upon him, and expresses his affliction for him: now not finding him as he expected, he grew uneasy: not that he wanted him as an interpreter for him, or his assistance in preaching the Gospel at Troas, where so many were inclined to hear the word; but because he was exceedingly desirous of knowing from him the state of affairs in the church at Corinth; so that this whole account is given, to show his affectionate concern for, and care of that church: which he goes on with, saying,

but taking my leave of them;
the disciples at Troas, and ordering and prescribing, as the word here used signifies, how things should be managed for the best after his departure; for as there was a door opened for the ministry of the word, it cannot be thought he would leave it thus, without fixing proper persons to go on with the work, and proper directions how to conduct themselves; and very likely he ordained Carpus to be their elder, bishop, or overseer: and having done this, he

went into Macedonia;
in quest of Titus, whom he so earnestly desired to see, and by whose coming to him he was greatly refreshed and comforted; see ( 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 ) .

2 Corinthians 2:13 In-Context

11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his intentions.

12 When I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, a door was opened to me by the Lord.

13 I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus, but I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.

14 But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him.

15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.