As you read through the following parts of 2 Cor. 6:11-7:15, notice just how much importance Paul puts on really close, loving, open, transparent, meaningful, committed and inter-dependent relationships within the family of God. There is nothing here that would promote "I can stand on my own two feet and don't need to get too close to you; much less bare my soul to you". He sets the example himself by opening up his own heart, revealing what it was like for him to face severe opposition and deal with inner fear, as well as expressing his love for his dear brothers and sisters in Christ. They meant the world to him.

He speaks freely about being comforted by God through the loving embrace of his dear fellow worker Titus. It's as though he is saying that the arms of Titus were God's arms to him; that he couldn't have felt the warmth of God's hug other than through Titus.

He also makes it clear how much it meant to Titus that the church's acceptance and honouring of him was so wholehearted. He had feared it would be otherwise. There is such honesty here; such deep heart-connections. This should be the norm for us. It is so far removed from the stand-offish, formal and cool relationships I have witnessed over the years in some churches and even amongst missionaries.

"Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open wide your hearts to us!" (6:11-12).

"Please open your hearts to us … I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you … You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles" (7:2-4).

"When we arrived in Macedonia … we faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me … I was filled with joy!" (7:5-7)

"… In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was about the way all of you welcomed him and set his mind at ease … Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way all of you obeyed him and welcomed him with such fear and deep respect" (7:13-15).