“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.”

2 Corinthians 2:12-13

Why was it that Paul had no peace when he couldn’t find Titus? What was it about Titus?

Paul had sent Titus to Corinth to learn how the assembly had responded to his first letter, and Paul was waiting for his report. His deep concern for the Corinthian believers raised troubling questions in his mind, which could have been the cause of his restlessness. In 2 Corinthians 7:5, Paul describes his state as being “…troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts; inside were fears.” In 2 Corinthians 2:13 he said, “I had no rest in my spirit,” and in 2 Corinthians 7:5, he added, “…our bodies had no rest.” Paul was spiritually drained. In 2 Corinthians 11:28 he even mentions that the daily care of all the churches weighed on him. The apostle Paul seems to have been depressed, yet he did not quit. He was “afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing” (4:8). He was discouraged but not defeated, still holding on to hope for a good report when he met Titus.

But perhaps there was more to it. Maybe it was also personal. This is actually the first time Titus is mentioned by name in the New Testament. Paul calls him “my true child” in Titus 1:4, and in 2 Corinthians 2:13 he calls him “my brother.”His name means “nurse” or “rearer”—one who helps care for others. In 2 Corinthians 7:5-6 we see Paul’s relief when Titus arrived: “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless, God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.”

The coming of Titus brought joy to Paul not only because of the report he carried, but because of who Titus was. He lived up to his name, allowing the God of all comfort to use him as a channel of comfort.

The Greek word for comfort is parakaleo, meaning “to call to one’s side, call for, summon.” It can mean exhortation, encouragement, or consolation. Paul uses this word 29 times in 2 Corinthians—11 times as a noun and 18 times as a verb. The picture is of someone walking alongside another, giving comfort and encouragement.

Let’s think for a moment about being a Titus—being one who comforts others. A simple definition of comfort is “to go through the tough times together.” We are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “comfort each other and edify one another.”

Anchor For Today

The Lord is looking for “Titus-like” believers today—those He can use to comfort the downcast. Will you be one?