A Refreshing Church

If you had to pick any church named in the New Testament and label it as a refreshing church, which would it be? Perhaps the church in Smyrna or Philadelphia? What about Philippi? Antioch? Any number of churches might come to mind, but would Corinth be among those?

Regular Bible readers are familiar with the many problems at Corinth. The church was rocked by doctrinal, ethical, relational, and behavioural scandal. And yet it was that church, according to Paul, that “refreshed” Titus’s spirit (2 Corinthians 7:13).

There had for some time been tension toward Paul from the Corinthians, which had forced him to delay visits and write some strong words to them. Eventually, the apostle deemed it necessary to send Titus to Corinth to see how his letters had been received. Titus had evidently approached this assignment with some trepidation, not knowing how he would be received or what he would find. But when he arrived, he found his spirit “refreshed.”

In what way was the church a refreshment to Titus? The text (2 Corinthians 7:13–16) suggests at least four ways in which the church in Corinth was a refreshing church, and consequently, highlights four ways in which we can foster refreshing churches in our own context.

A refreshing church is one that provides rest and renewal for those who are spiritually and emotionally weary. The refreshment that the Corinthians offered Titus involved both joy and spiritual revitalisation, echoing Jesus’ promise of rest in Matthew 11:28.

Titus arrived in Corinth burdened with the anxiety of delivering a severe letter from Paul. However, the church’s positive reception and obedience revitalised him. The result was not only his personal renewal but also Paul’s comfort after hearing his report. This exemplifies how a local church can minister relief and rest to those carrying spiritual burdens.

But how can we foster a church environment in which the weary and burdened find rest and refreshment? The text suggests four unremarkable characteristics of a refreshing church.

First, a refreshing church is a receptive church. Titus was received by the Corinthian church with “obedience” and “fear and trembling” (v. 15). The saints there took him and the message he brought seriously and responded with obedience. A refreshing church humbly receives correction and teaching without defensiveness, showing spiritual maturity and openness.

Second, a refreshing church is a responsive church. The church not only listened but acted in “obedience” (v. 15), specifically in addressing sin in its midst. Its willingness to confront sin demonstrated submission to apostolic authority and encouraged those who witnessed its repentance.

Third, a refreshing church is a repenting church. It is not sinless, but it is quick to repent of sin when it recognises it. Paul had written some stern words to this church, but when the saints heard Paul’s rebuke, they responded as Christians do: They repented. Faithful churches take sin seriously. Luther correctly asserted that God wills the whole Christian life to be one of repentance. Refreshing churches confront error and pursue holiness, not out of guilt, but as a response to grace.

Fourth, a refreshing church is a replenishing church. The church’s repentance allowed Paul to move forward with his exhortation for the church to financially contribute to the needs of the saints in Jerusalem (chapters 8–9). Repentance motivated generosity, which allowed the church to refresh the struggling Jerusalem believers materially and spiritually. When faithful churches sacrifice for the sake of gospel advance, financially supporting missionaries and ministers, they offer refreshment to those who are on the front lines of gospel work.

The remarkable thing about the refreshing characteristics of the church in Corinth is how unremarkable they are. A refreshing church need not be remarkable, sinless (though we long for this!), nor trouble-free.

The church in Corinth was not a sinless church. As any Bible reader will know, the church had serious issues: immorality, division, doctrinal confusion, etc. Yet Paul wrote, “I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you” (v. 16). What fuelled his confidence? Simply the reality that God works through weak, flawed vessels. A church can be refreshing not because it is perfect, but because it is dependent on grace.

The church in Corinth was not a trouble-free church. In the two inspired letters we have to the church, Paul addressed a litany of relational, doctrinal, and behavioural problems. There was internal strife and division and vulnerability to false teaching. Church members were suing one another and getting drunk around the observance of the Lord’s Supper. But God used the church to refresh Titus by its willingness to reform.

Churches need not wait for perfection before they can refresh others. Instead, they should trust that, even in the face of serious challenges, God can use them as vessels of encouragement.

As with any blessing in the Christian life, churches do not become places of refreshment in a vacuum. To be—and to continue to be—a refreshing church, certain commitments must be stewarded.

First, a refreshing church must steward its commitment to apostolic teaching. Our churches must remain receptive, responsive, and repentant in line with Scripture. Being grounded in the gospel and faithful to its truths is essential to maintaining spiritual vitality.

Second, a refreshing church must steward its gospel-centredness. Paul’s expression of confidence in the Corinthians (v. 16) indicates that they were centred on Christ. A Christ-centred church will naturally become a generous, others-focused church.

Third, a refreshing church must steward its reverence. The Corinthians received Titus’s ministry “with fear and trembling.” A refreshing church approaches the gospel with reverent awe. Deep gospel learning leads to deep gospel living, which in turn produces spiritual refreshment.

Being a refreshing church is not about perfection or programs—it’s about faithfulness, repentance, and reverence. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the wellspring from which all spiritual refreshment flows. Churches that draw deeply from this well will be equipped to refresh others—both within their walls and far beyond. Any church, however unremarkable, can embody the same refreshing spirit through humble obedience and gospel grace.