2 Corinthians 7:11; Yea, What Vehement Desire
2 Corinthians 7:11 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.
What great longing, what earnest desire, translated “vehement desire” here, referring their longing to see the Apostle Paul visiting them again. The visit of Titus as a representative of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church and the conveying of their affection toward the Apostle Paul brought comfort to his heart.
2 Corinthians 7:7 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.
The Apostle Paul’s rejoicing can be clearly understood as a picture of the prodigal son returning to the father in Luke 15, as it were, there was an earnest desire for the son to seek a right way with God, to the rejoicing of the father.