Verse Lens · Concise explanation

2 Corinthians 7:16 Explained in Context

Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.

Selected verse

Verse 16. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions

Quick Meaning

This verse closes the reconciliation report with Paul's joy and confidence in Corinth.

Read It With

  • 2 Corinthians 7:5–16

Read 2 Corinthians 7:16 with 7:5–16. This verse closes the reconciliation report with Paul's joy and confidence in Corinth. The complete unit establishes this movement: God comforts the downcast through Titus's news that the Corinthians' grief produced earnest repentance rather than lasting harm, renewing joy and confidence.

Why This Verse Appears Here

The report closes the travel-and-conflict arc begun in 2:12–13. Within that movement, this verse closes the reconciliation report with Paul's joy and confidence in Corinth.

Read 2 Corinthians 7:5–16 together

Why these verses belong together: Macedonian fear, Titus's arrival, sorrow, repentance, comfort, and renewed confidence close the conflict report.

Verse 5. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Verse 6. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

Verse 7. And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

Verse 8. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

Verse 9. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Verse 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Verse 11. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Verse 12. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

Verse 13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

Verse 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

Verse 15. 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.

Verse 16. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation

“I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things”

In plain language: Restored trust can become the basis for renewed shared responsibility.

closes the reconciliation report with Paul's joy and confidence in Corinth. Restored trust can become the basis for renewed shared responsibility.

Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution to the complete unit.

How certain? strong

What Remains True

Restored trust can become the basis for renewed shared responsibility.

How It Can Shape Life

  • Let regained confidence be specific, evidence-based, and still accountable.

Continue in Context

The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.

Read 2 Corinthians 7:5–16 — Titus's Report Turns Grief Toward Repentance and Comfort
Sources used for this Verse Lens

How certain is this explanation? strong

These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.

Biblical text

King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006

eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society

USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.

Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.

Exact location: 2 Corinthians 7:5–16, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus

Open source ↗

Greek textual evidence

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition

Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos

Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010

Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.

Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Co.txt, 7:5–16

Open the 2 Corinthians Greek text file ↗

Translation and textual notes

NET Bible - 2 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes

Biblical Studies Press

Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition

Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.

Exact location: NET Bible 2 Corinthians chapter print views, 7:5–16, including attached translator, study, and textual notes

Open NET 2 Corinthians 7 notes
Open the complete thought-unit research record
Open a verse without taking it out of context.

Try 2 Corinthians 4:7, Second Corinthians 4:7, or 2 Cor 4:7.

Choose book, chapter, and verse