“Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all” (2 Corinthians 7:13).
In his earlier correspondence with the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul addressed a report of some highly inappropriate activity among certain members of the congregation: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!” (1 Corinthians 5:1).
Some commentators believe the reference to “…him who had done the wrong” here in 2 Corinthians 7:13 is related to the person who was involved in this incestuous affair. However, it seems more likely that Paul was referring to someone who had been leading the opposition to him in Corinth or another person who tried to counteract his leadership in some manner.
We may have seen a hint of this problem earlier in 2 Corinthians when Paul wrote, “I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me” (2 Corinthians 2:5 NLT). One commentator provides us with some additional insight into this passage…
“Many opinions have been expressed as to the identity of the wrongdoer and the nature of his act of injustice toward Paul. Most likely, in our view, is the suggestion that this event should be linked with a public disturbance during the second visit (12:20) when Paul confronted those who had not relinquished their former sexual practices (12:21—13:2), connected as these probably were with ongoing temple attendance (6:14—7:1).
The most consistent reconstruction of Paul’s scattered remarks on the subject throughout 2 Corinthians is that this man publicly opposed, and to some degree thwarted, Paul’s attempt at discipline during that fateful visit.” (1)
Finally, we should note that Paul used a term that he has already used twice in this letter to the Corinthian church: “in the sight of God.” This reminds us that our daily choices and decisions are made under the watchful eye of a righteous Creator to whom we will give an account, thus providing an additional incentive to conduct ourselves in a God-honoring manner.
(1) Dr. Thomas L. Constable, Notes on 2 Corinthians 2017 Edition [7:12-13a] Copyright © 2017 Thomas L. Constable. All Rights Reserved. http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/NT/2%20Corinthians/2Corinthians.htm