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671 lines
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Corinthians V].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
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<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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</h3>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TR>
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC47004.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC47006.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. V.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The apostle proceeds in showing the reasons why they did not faint
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under their afflictions, namely, their expectation, desire, and
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assurance of happiness after death
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>),
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and deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in their present
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state
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:6-8">ver. 6-8</A>),
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and another to quicken them in their duty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:9-11">ver. 9-11</A>.
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Then he makes an apology for seeming to commend himself, and gives a
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good reason for his zeal and diligence
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:12-15">ver. 12-15</A>),
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and mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to
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Christ, regeneration and reconciliation,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:16-21">ver. 16, to the end</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Co5_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co5_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Believer's Prospect beyond Death.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 For we know that if our earthly house of <I>this</I> tabernacle
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were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with
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hands, eternal in the heavens.
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2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon
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with our house which is from heaven:
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3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
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4 For we that are in <I>this</I> tabernacle do groan, being
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burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon,
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that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
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5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing <I>is</I> God,
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who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
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6 Therefore <I>we are</I> always confident, knowing that, whilst we
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are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
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7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
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8 We are confident, <I>I say,</I> and willing rather to be absent
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from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may
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be accepted of him.
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10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
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that every one may receive the things <I>done</I> in <I>his</I> body,
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according to that he hath done, whether <I>it be</I> good or bad.
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11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
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but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made
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manifest in your consciences.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle in these verses pursues the argument of the former chapter,
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concerning the grounds of their courage and patience under afflictions.
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And,</P>
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<P>
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I. He mentions their expectation, and desire, and assurance, of eternal
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happiness after death,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:1-5"><I>v.</I> 1-5</A>.
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Observe particularly,</P>
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<P>
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1. The believer's expectation of eternal happiness after death,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He does not only know, or is well assured by faith of the truth and
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reality of the thing itself--that there is another and a happy life
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after this present life is ended, but he has good hope through grace of
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his interest in that everlasting blessedness of the unseen world: "We
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know that we have a building of God, we have a firm and well-grounded
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expectation of the future felicity." Let us take notice,
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(1.) What heaven is in the eye and hope of a believer. He looks upon it
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as a house, or habitation, a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a
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hiding-place, our Father's house, where there are many mansions, and
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our everlasting home. It is a house in the heavens, in that high and
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holy place which as far excels all the palaces of this earth as the
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heavens are high above the earth. It is a building of God, whose
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builder and maker is God, and therefore is worthy of its author; the
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happiness of the future state is what God hath prepared for those that
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love him. It is eternal in the heavens, everlasting habitations, not
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like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of clay in which our
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souls now dwell, which are mouldering and decaying, and <I>whose
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foundations are in the dust.</I>
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(2.) When it is expected this happiness shall be enjoyed--immediately
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after death, so soon as <I>our house of this earthly tabernacle is
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dissolved.</I> Note,
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[1.] That the body, this earthly house, is but a tabernacle, that must
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be dissolved shortly; the nails or pins will be drawn, and the cords be
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loosed, and then the body will return to dust as it was.
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[2.] When this comes to pass, then comes the house not made with hands.
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The spirit returns to God who gave it; and such as have walked with God
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here shall dwell with God for ever.</P>
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<P>
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2. The believer's earnest desire after this future blessedness, which
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is expressed by this word, <B> <I>stenazomen</I></B>--<I>we groan,</I>
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which denotes,
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(1.) A groaning of sorrow under a heavy load; so believers groan under
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the burden of life: <I>In this we groan earnestly,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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<I>We that are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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The body of flesh is a heavy burden, the calamities of life are a heavy
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load. But believers groan because burdened with a body of sin, and the
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many corruptions that are still remaining and raging in them. This
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makes them complain, <I>O wretched man that I am!</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+7:24">Rom. vii. 24</A>.
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(2.) There is a groaning of desire after the happiness of another life;
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and thus believers groan: <I>Earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with
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our house which is from heaven</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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to obtain a blessed immortality, <I>that mortality might be swallowed
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up of life</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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<I>that being found clothed, we may not be naked</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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that, if it were the will of God, we might not sleep, but be changed;
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for it is not desirable in itself to be unclothed. Death considered
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merely as a separation of soul and body is not to be desired, but
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rather dreaded; but, considered as a passage to glory, the believer is
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<I>willing rather</I> to die than live, <I>to be absent from the body,
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that he may be present with the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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to leave this body that he may go to Christ, and to put off these rags
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of mortality that he may put on the robes of glory. Note,
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[1.] Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts
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of life, as well as put an end to all our troubles here below. Naked we
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came into this world, and naked shall we go out of it. But,
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[2.] Gracious souls are not found naked in the other world; no, they
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are clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and
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glory. They shall be delivered out of all their troubles, and shall
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have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:14">Rev. vii. 14</A>.</P>
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<P>
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3. The believer's assurance of his interest in this future blessedness,
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on a double account:--
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(1.) From the experience of the grace of God, in preparing and making
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him meet for this blessedness. He that hath <I>wrought us for the
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self-same thing is God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Note, All who are designed for heaven hereafter are wrought or prepared
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for heaven while they are here; the stones of that spiritual building
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and temple above are squared and fashioned here below. And he that hath
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wrought us for this is God, because nothing less than a divine power
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can make a soul partaker of a divine nature; no hand less than the hand
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of God can work us for this thing. A great deal is to be done to
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prepare our souls for heaven, and that preparation of the heart is from
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the Lord.
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(2.) The <I>earnest of the Spirit</I> gave them this assurance: for an
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earnest is part of payment, and secures the full payment. The present
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graces and comforts of the Spirit are earnests of everlasting grace and
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comfort.</P>
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<P>
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II. The apostle deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in
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their present state and condition in this world,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:6-8"><I>v.</I> 6-8</A>.
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Here observe,
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1. What their present state or condition is: they <I>are absent from
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the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>);
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they are pilgrims and strangers in this world; they do but sojourn here
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in their earthly home, or in this tabernacle; and though God is with us
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here, by his Spirit, and in his ordinances, yet we are not with him as
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we hope to be: we cannot see his face while we live: <I>For we walk by
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faith, not by sight,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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We have not the vision and fruition of God, as of an object that is
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present with us, and as we hope for hereafter, when we <I>shall see as
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we are seen.</I> Note, Faith is for this world, and sight is reserved
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for the other world: and it is our duty, and will be our interest, to
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walk by faith, till we come to live by sight.
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2. How comfortable and courageous we ought to be in all the troubles of
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life, and in the hour of death: <I>Therefore we are,</I> or ought to
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be, <I>always confident</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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and again
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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<I>We are confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body.</I>
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True Christians, if they duly considered the prospect faith gives them
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of another world, and the good reasons of their hope of blessedness
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after death, would be comforted under the troubles of life, and
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supported in the hour of death: they should take courage, when they are
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encountering the last enemy, and be willing rather to die than live,
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when it is the will of God that they should <I>put off this
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tabernacle.</I> Note, As those who are born from above long to be
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there, so it is but being absent from the body, and we shall very soon
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be present with the Lord--but to die, and be with Christ--but to close
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our eyes to all things in this world, and we shall open them in a world
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of glory. Faith will be turned into sight.</P>
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<P>
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III. He proceeds to deduce an inference to excite and quicken himself
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and others to duty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:9-11"><I>v.</I> 9-11</A>.
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So it is that well-grounded hopes of heaven will be far from giving the
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least encouragement to sloth and sinful security; on the contrary, they
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should stir us up to use the greatest care and diligence in religion:
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<I>Wherefore,</I> or because we hope to be present with the Lord, <I>we
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labour</I> and take pains,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<B><I>Philotimoumetha</I></B>--<I>We are ambitious,</I> and labour as
|
||
|
|
industriously as the most ambitious men do to obtain what they aim at.
|
||
|
|
Here observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. What it was that the apostle was thus ambitious of--<I>acceptance
|
||
|
|
with God.</I> We labour that, living and dying, whether present in the
|
||
|
|
body or absent from the body, <I>we may be accepted of him,</I> the
|
||
|
|
Lord
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
that we <I>may please him who hath chosen us,</I> that our great Lord
|
||
|
|
may say to us, <I>Well done.</I> This they coveted as the greatest
|
||
|
|
favour and the highest honour: it was the summit of their ambition.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. What further quickening motives they had to excite their diligence,
|
||
|
|
from the consideration of the judgment to come,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:10,11"><I>v.</I> 10, 11</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
There are many things relating to this great matter that should awe the
|
||
|
|
best of men into the utmost care and diligence in religion; for
|
||
|
|
example, the certainty of this judgment, for we must appear; the
|
||
|
|
universality of it, for we must all appear; the great Judge before
|
||
|
|
whose judgment-seat we must appear, the Lord Jesus Christ, who himself
|
||
|
|
will appear in flaming fire; the recompence to be then received, for
|
||
|
|
things done in the body, which will be very particular (unto every
|
||
|
|
one), and very just, according to what we have done, whether good or
|
||
|
|
bad. The apostle calls this awful judgment <I>the terror of the
|
||
|
|
Lord</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and, by the consideration thereof, was excited to persuade men to
|
||
|
|
repent, and live a holy life, that, when Christ shall appear terribly,
|
||
|
|
they may appear before him comfortably. And, concerning his fidelity
|
||
|
|
and diligence, he comfortably appeals unto God, and the consciences of
|
||
|
|
those he wrote to: <I>We are made manifest unto God, and I trust also
|
||
|
|
are made manifest in your consciences.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_12"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_13"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_14"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_15"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Apology for Seeming Self-Commendation.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you
|
||
|
|
occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to
|
||
|
|
<I>answer</I> them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
|
||
|
|
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, <I>it is</I> to God: or
|
||
|
|
whether we be sober, <I>it is</I> for your cause.
|
||
|
|
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus
|
||
|
|
judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
|
||
|
|
15 And <I>that</I> he died for all, that they which live should not
|
||
|
|
henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for
|
||
|
|
them, and rose again.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here observe, I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend
|
||
|
|
himself and his fellow-labourers
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
and tells them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It was not to commend themselves, nor for their own sakes, that he
|
||
|
|
had spoken of their fidelity and diligence in the
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:1-11">former verses</A>;
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
nor was he willing to suspect their good opinion of him. But,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The true reason was this, to put an argument in their mouths
|
||
|
|
wherewith to answer his accusers, who made vain boastings, and gloried
|
||
|
|
in appearances only; that he might give them <I>an occasion to glory on
|
||
|
|
their behalf,</I> or to defend them against the reproaches of their
|
||
|
|
adversaries. And if the people can say that the word has been
|
||
|
|
manifested to their consciences, and been effectual to their conversion
|
||
|
|
and edification, this is the best defence they can make for the
|
||
|
|
ministry of the word, when they are vilified and reproached.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. He gives good reasons for their great zeal and diligence. Some of
|
||
|
|
Paul's adversaries had, it is likely, reproached him for his zeal and
|
||
|
|
fervour, as if he had been a madman, or, in the language of our days, a
|
||
|
|
fanatic; they imputed all to enthusiasm, as the Roman governor told
|
||
|
|
him, <I>Much learning has made thee mad,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:24">Acts xxvi. 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
But the apostle tells them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. It was for the glory of God, and the good of the church, that he was
|
||
|
|
thus zealous and industrious: "<I>Whether we be beside ourselves, or
|
||
|
|
whether we be sober</I> (whether you or others do think the one or the
|
||
|
|
other), it is <I>to God,</I> and for his glory: and it is <I>for your
|
||
|
|
cause,</I> or to promote your good,"
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
If they manifested the greatest ardour and vehemency at some times, and
|
||
|
|
used the greatest calmness in strong reasonings at other times, it was
|
||
|
|
for the best ends; and in both methods they had good reason for what
|
||
|
|
they did. For,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. <I>The love of Christ constrained them,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
They were under the sweetest and strongest constraints to do what they
|
||
|
|
did. Love has a constraining virtue to excite ministers and private
|
||
|
|
Christians in their duty. Our love to Christ will have this virtue; and
|
||
|
|
Christ's love to us, which was manifested in this great instance of his
|
||
|
|
dying for us, will have this effect upon us, if it be duly considered
|
||
|
|
and rightly judged of. For observe how the apostle argues for the
|
||
|
|
reasonableness of love's constraints, and declares,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) What we were before, and must have continued to be, had not Christ
|
||
|
|
died for us: <I>We were dead,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<I>If one died for all, then were all dead;</I> dead in law, under
|
||
|
|
sentence of death; dead in sins and trespasses, spiritually dead. Note,
|
||
|
|
This was the deplorable condition of all those for whom Christ died:
|
||
|
|
they were lost and undone, dead and ruined, and must have remained thus
|
||
|
|
miserable for ever if Christ had not died for them.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) What such should do, for whom Christ died; namely, that they
|
||
|
|
should live to him. This is what Christ designed, that <I>those who
|
||
|
|
live,</I> who are made alive unto God by means of his death, <I>should
|
||
|
|
live to him that died for them, and rose again</I> for their sakes
|
||
|
|
also, and that they should not live <I>to themselves,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Note, We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our living
|
||
|
|
and actions: and it was one end of Christ's death to cure us of this
|
||
|
|
self-love, and to excite us always to act under the commanding
|
||
|
|
influence of his love. A Christian's life should be consecrated to
|
||
|
|
Christ; and then do we live as we ought to live when we live to Christ,
|
||
|
|
who died for us.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_16"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_17"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_18"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_19"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_20"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="2Co5_21"> </A>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ministry of the Apostles.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea,
|
||
|
|
though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth
|
||
|
|
know we <I>him</I> no more.
|
||
|
|
17 Therefore if any man <I>be</I> in Christ, <I>he is</I> a new creature:
|
||
|
|
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
|
||
|
|
18 And all things <I>are</I> of God, who hath reconciled us to
|
||
|
|
himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
|
||
|
|
reconciliation;
|
||
|
|
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
|
||
|
|
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath
|
||
|
|
committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
|
||
|
|
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
|
||
|
|
beseech <I>you</I> by us: we pray <I>you</I> in Christ's stead, be ye
|
||
|
|
reconciled to God.
|
||
|
|
21 For he hath made him <I>to be</I> sin for us, who knew no sin;
|
||
|
|
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
|
||
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in
|
||
|
|
order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of
|
||
|
|
Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. Weanedness from the world: "<I>Henceforth we know no man after the
|
||
|
|
flesh,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal
|
||
|
|
ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to
|
||
|
|
mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live
|
||
|
|
above it. The love of Christ is in our hearts, and the world is under
|
||
|
|
our feet." Note, Good Christians must enjoy the comforts of this life,
|
||
|
|
and their relations in this world, with a holy indifference. <I>Yea,
|
||
|
|
though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet,</I> says the apostle,
|
||
|
|
<I>we know him no more.</I> It is questioned whether Paul had seen
|
||
|
|
Christ in the flesh. However, the rest of the apostles had, and so
|
||
|
|
might some among those he was now writing to. However, he would not
|
||
|
|
have them value themselves upon that account; for even the bodily
|
||
|
|
presence of Christ is not to be desired nor doted upon by his
|
||
|
|
disciples. We must live upon his spiritual presence, and the comfort it
|
||
|
|
affords. Note, Those who make images of Christ, and use them in their
|
||
|
|
worship, do not take the way that God has appointed for strengthening
|
||
|
|
their faith and quickening their affections; for it is the will of God
|
||
|
|
that we should not know Christ any more after the flesh.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. A thorough change of the heart: <I>For if any man be in Christ,</I>
|
||
|
|
if any man be a Christian indeed, and will approve himself such, <I>he
|
||
|
|
is,</I> or he must be, <I>a new creature,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Some read it, <I>Let him be a new creature.</I> This ought to be the
|
||
|
|
care of all who profess the Christian faith, that they be new
|
||
|
|
creatures; not only that they have a new name, and wear a new livery,
|
||
|
|
but that they have a new heart and new nature. And so great is the
|
||
|
|
change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, <I>old
|
||
|
|
things are passed away</I>--old thoughts, old principles, and old
|
||
|
|
practices, are passed away; and <I>all these things must become
|
||
|
|
new.</I> Note, Regenerating grace creates a new world in the soul; all
|
||
|
|
things are new. The renewed man acts from new principles, by new rules,
|
||
|
|
with new ends, and in new company.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
II. Reconciliation, which is here spoken of under a double notion:--</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. As an unquestionable privilege,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Reconciliation supposes a quarrel, or breach of friendship; and sin has
|
||
|
|
made a breach, it has broken the friendship between God and man. The
|
||
|
|
heart of the sinner is filled with enmity against God, and God is
|
||
|
|
justly offended with the sinner. Yet, behold, there may be a
|
||
|
|
reconciliation; the offended Majesty of heaven is willing to be
|
||
|
|
reconciled. And observe,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. He has appointed the Mediator of reconciliation. He has reconciled
|
||
|
|
us to himself by Jesus Christ,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
God is to be owned from first to last in the undertaking and
|
||
|
|
performance of the Mediator. All things relating to our reconciliation
|
||
|
|
by Jesus Christ are of God, who by the mediation of Jesus Christ has
|
||
|
|
reconciled the world to himself, and put himself into a capacity of
|
||
|
|
being actually reconciled to offenders, without any wrong or injury to
|
||
|
|
his justice or holiness, and does not impute to men their trespasses,
|
||
|
|
but recedes from the rigour of the first covenant, which was broken,
|
||
|
|
and does not insist upon the advantage he might justly take against us
|
||
|
|
for the breach of that covenant, but is willing to enter into a new
|
||
|
|
treaty, and into a new covenant of grace, and, according to the tenour
|
||
|
|
thereof, freely to forgive us all our sins, and justify freely by his
|
||
|
|
grace all those who do believe.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. He has appointed the <I>ministry of reconciliation,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
By the inspiration of God the scriptures were written, which contain
|
||
|
|
the word of reconciliation, showing us that peace was made by the blood
|
||
|
|
of the cross, that reconciliation is wrought, and directing us how we
|
||
|
|
may be interested therein. And he has appointed the office of the
|
||
|
|
ministry, which is a <I>ministry of reconciliation:</I> ministers are
|
||
|
|
to open and proclaim to sinners the terms of mercy and reconciliation,
|
||
|
|
and persuade them to comply therewith. For,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. Reconciliation is here spoken of as our indispensable duty,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
As God is willing to be reconciled to us, we ought to be reconciled to
|
||
|
|
God. And it is the great end and design of the gospel, that word of
|
||
|
|
reconciliation, to prevail upon sinners to lay aside their enmity
|
||
|
|
against God. Faithful ministers are Christ's ambassadors, sent to treat
|
||
|
|
with sinners on peace and reconciliation: they come in God's name, with
|
||
|
|
his entreaties, and act in Christ's stead, doing the very thing he did
|
||
|
|
when he was upon this earth, and what he wills to be done now that he
|
||
|
|
is in heaven. Wonderful condescension! Though God can be no loser by
|
||
|
|
the quarrel, nor gainer by the peace, yet by his ministers he beseeches
|
||
|
|
sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept of the terms he offers,
|
||
|
|
that they would be reconciled to him, to all his attributes, to all his
|
||
|
|
laws, and to all his providences, to believe in the Mediator, to accept
|
||
|
|
the atonement, and comply with his gospel, in all the parts of it and
|
||
|
|
in the whole design of it. And for our encouragement so to do the
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apostle subjoins what should be well known and duly considered by us
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
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namely,
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(1.) The purity of the Mediator: <I>He knew no sin.</I>
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(2.) The sacrifice he offered: <I>He was made sin;</I> not a sinner,
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but <I>sin,</I> that is, a sin-offering, a sacrifice for sin.
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(3.) The end and design of all this: that <I>we might be made the
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righteousness of God in him,</I> might be justified freely by the grace
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of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Note,
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[1.] As Christ, who knew no sin of his own, was made sin for us, so we,
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who have no righteousness of our own, are made the righteousness of God
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in him.
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[2.] Our reconciliation to God is only through Jesus Christ, and for
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the sake of his merit: on him therefore we must rely, and make mention
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of his righteousness and his only.</P>
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