Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 12 My purpose, then, was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could see for yourselves how loyal you are to us. 13 We have been greatly encouraged by this.

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. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 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. 16 I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you. New Living Translation

The above passage shows Paul’s integrity in ‘grasping the nettle.’ In his ministry he had to ‘die’ in multiple ways. This was one of them. He was prepared to address problems, and cause pain (if necessary) in order to resolve them. It wasn’t that he wanted to hurt anyone, but he knew that his directness was likely to create waves, and he was prepared to take the repercussions.

But lying behind all that he had said, he actually believed the best about them, and his faith had been well and truly vindicated. Titus could now see for himself that what Paul had told him about the Corinthians was correct, much to the apostle’s great delight.

Tom Wright’s words are helpful, I think: ‘In particular, he wants to assure them, as he did in chapter 2, that they have acted properly in relation to the matter of discipline. (I wonder how many Christians, when teetering on the brink of some sin, think of the problems they will cause, not only for themselves and any other people immediately involved, but for the whole church as it faces the question of how to deal with that sin? Not many, I fear; which may be a sign, not only that Christians are careless about the effects of their sin, but that the church is by no means always eager to exercise appropriate discipline.)’