2 Corinthians 7:13 “By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.”
The Book of 2 Corinthians is in many ways an autobiography of the difficulties the apostle Paul faced. These difficulties brought about discouragement. His testimony is that while he was discouraged, God used people like Titus to encourage him. See 2 Corinthians 7:5-6) As the chapter moves to a conclusion, Paul tells the Corinthians how encouraged, ESPECIALLY DELIGHTED, (OVER-JOYED) he was because of how happy (ENCOURAGED) Titus was because of how they refreshed him.
Paul commends the Corinthians for being REFRESHERS who REFRESHED Titus.
REFRESHED. It is a word we often think of in the hot summer. Working on a farm as a teenager, I can recall numerous times looking forward to a very refreshing drink of water from a well on our property. The water drawn from that deep well was so cold. I would get a drink from the bucket and then dump the bucket over my head. Oh, it felt so GOOD. It was REFRESHING!
REFRESHED. From the dictionary, it means to get new strength or energy; to be reinvigorated. The Greek word speaks of “giving one rest.” It is the word Jesus used in Matthew 11:28 as He invited people to come to Him as they would find REST. It is the word Jesus used to tell His disciples to come apart and REST in Mark 6:31. After serving and ministering to numerous people, He knew they needed time to REST, to be REFRESHED. The Apostle Paul will use the word to describe what he felt when he was with Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. He said they refreshed his spirit. See 1 Cor. 16:17-18
While we need to be refreshed, we should also make it a point to be a refresher. Are you being described by others as a refreshing drink of cold water on a hot summer day? Does your presence refresh others? Do your words refresh others? Do your actions refresh others?
What are ways you can be a “refreshment” to another person today?
Continue Strong, bringing “refreshments” to others,
And remember to DATE the Word