
Sometimes real love has to take significant risks to redeem a loved one from a bad situation. Today we might call this tough love. This was what Paul was willing to do with the Corinthians when he sent a painful letter to them through the hand of Titus. From what we read in this passage, he agonized over the letter, then agonized waiting to hear from Titus about how it (and Titus) had been received. Fortunately when he finally reconnected with Titus he learned that the Corinthians had responded well. They affirmed their love and commitment to Paul and dealt with the situation that Paul was concerned about. Paul was comforted and filled with joy. Risking a relationship to redeem another person is a hard decision to make. It takes the sort of God-given courage and love that Paul had for the Corinthians.