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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D &nbsp; C O R I N T H I A N S.</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VII.</FONT>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This chapter begins with an exhortation to progressive holiness and a
due regard to the ministers of the gospel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
Then the apostle returns from a long digression to speak further of the
affair concerning the incestuous person, and tells them what comfort he
received in his distress about that matter, upon his meeting with Titus
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:5-7">ver. 5-7</A>),
and how re rejoiced in their repentance, with the evidences thereof,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:8-11">ver. 8-11</A>.
And, lastly, he concludes with endeavouring to comfort the Corinthians,
upon whom his admonitions had had so good an effect,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:12-16">ver. 12-16</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="2Co7_1"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_2"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_3"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Progressive Holiness.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;57.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
&nbsp; 2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man,
we have defrauded no man.
&nbsp; 3 I speak not <I>this</I> to condemn <I>you:</I> for I have said before,
that ye are in our hearts to die and live with <I>you.</I>
&nbsp; 4 Great <I>is</I> my boldness of speech toward you, great <I>is</I> my
glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful
in all our tribulation.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
These verses contain a double exhortation:--</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. To make a progress in holiness, or <I>to perfect holiness in the
fear of God,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
This exhortation is given with most tender affection to those who were
dearly beloved, and enforced by strong arguments, even the
consideration of those exceedingly great and precious promises which
were mentioned in the former chapter, and which the Corinthians had an
interest in and a title to. The promises of God are strong inducements
to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely,
1. The dying unto sin, or mortifying our lusts and corruptions: we must
<I>cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.</I> Sin
is filthiness, and there are defilements of body and mind. There are
sins of the flesh, that are committed with the body, and sins of the
spirit, spiritual wickednesses; and we must cleanse ourselves from the
filthiness of both, for God is to be glorified both with body and soul.
2. The living unto righteousness and holiness. If we hope God is our
Father, we must endeavour to be <I>partakers of his holiness,</I> to be
holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. We
must be still perfecting holiness, and not be contented with sincerity
(which is our gospel perfection), without aiming at sinless perfection,
though we shall always come short of it while we are in this world; and
this we must do in the <I>fear of God,</I> which is the root and
principle of all religion, and there is no holiness without it. Note,
Faith and hope in the promises of God must not destroy our fear of God,
<I>who taketh pleasure in those that fear him and hope in his
mercy.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. To show a due regard to the ministers of the gospel: <I>Receive
us,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
Those who labour in the word and doctrine should <I>be had in
reputation,</I> and <I>be highly esteemed for their work's sake:</I>
and this would be a help to making progress in holiness. If the
ministers of the gospel are thought contemptible because of their
office, there is danger lest the gospel itself be contemned also. The
apostle did not think it any disparagement to court the favour of the
Corinthians; and, though we must flatter none, yet we must be gentle
towards all. He tells them,
1. He had done nothing to forfeit their esteem and good-will, but was
cautious not to do any thing to deserve their ill-will
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
"<I>We have wronged no man:</I> we have done you no harm, but always
designed your good." <I>I have coveted no man's silver, nor gold, nor
apparel,</I> said he to the elders of Ephesus,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:33">Acts xx. 33</A>.
"<I>We have corrupted no man,</I> by false doctrines or flattering
speeches. <I>We have defrauded no man;</I> we have not sought
ourselves, nor to promote our own secular interests by crafty and
greedy measures, to the damage of any persons." This is an appeal like
that of Samuel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+12:1-25">1 Sam. xii</A>.
Note, Then may ministers the more confidently expect esteem and favour
from the people when they can safely appeal to them that they are
guilty of nothing that deserves disesteem or displeasure.
2. He did not herein reflect upon them for want of affection to him,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
So tenderly and cautiously did the apostle deal with the Corinthians,
among whom there were some who would be glad of any occasion to
reproach him, and prejudice the minds of others against him. To prevent
any insinuations against him on account of what he had said, as if he
intended to charge them with wronging him, or unjust accusations of him
for having wronged them, he assures them again of his great affection
to them, insomuch that he could spend his last breath at Corinth, and
<I>live and die with them,</I> if his business with other churches, and
his work as an apostle (which was not to be confined to one place
only), would permit him to do so. An he adds it was his great affection
to them that made him use such <I>boldness</I> or freedom of <I>speech
towards them,</I> and caused him to <I>glory,</I> or make his boast of
them, in all places, and upon all occasions, being <I>filled with
comfort, and exceedingly joyful in all their tribulations.</I></P>
<A NAME="2Co7_5"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_6"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_7"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_8"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_9"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_10"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Various Exhortations.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;57.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest,
but we were troubled on every side; without <I>were</I> fightings,
within <I>were</I> fears.
&nbsp; 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
comforted us by the coming of Titus;
&nbsp; 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.
&nbsp; 8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent,
though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath
made you sorry, though <I>it were</I> but for a season.
&nbsp; 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye
sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly
manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
&nbsp; 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be
repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
&nbsp; 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a
godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, <I>what</I>
clearing of yourselves, yea, <I>what</I> indignation, yea, <I>what</I>
fear, yea, <I>what</I> vehement desire, yea, <I>what</I> zeal, yea, <I>what</I>
revenge! In all <I>things</I> ye have approved yourselves to be clear
in this matter.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
There seems to be a connection between
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:13,7:5"><I>ch.</I> ii. 13</A>
(where the apostle said he had no rest in his spirit when he found not
Titus at Troas) and the
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:13,7:5">fifth verse of this chapter</A>:
and so great was his affection to the Corinthians, and his concern
about their behaviour in relation to the incestuous person, that, in
his further travels, he still had no rest till he heard from them. And
now he tells them,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. How he was distressed,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
He was troubled when he did not meet with Titus at Troas, and
afterwards when for some time he did not meet with him in Macedonia:
this was a grief to him, because he could not hear what reception he
met with at Corinth, nor how their affairs went forward. And, besides
this, they met with other troubles, with incessant storms of
persecutions; there were <I>fightings without,</I> or continual
contentions with, and opposition from, Jews and Gentiles; and there
were <I>fears within,</I> and great concern for such as had embraced
the Christian faith, lest they should be corrupted or seduced, and give
scandal to others, or be scandalized.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. How he was comforted,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
Here observe,
1. The very coming of Titus was some comfort to him. It was matter of
joy to see him, whom he long desired and expected to meet with. The
very coming of Titus and his company, who was dear to him as his <I>own
son in the common faith</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+1:4">Tit. i. 4</A>),
was a great comfort to the apostle in his travels and troubles. But,
2. The good news which Titus brought concerning the Corinthians was
matter of greater consolation. He found Titus to be comforted in them;
and this filled the apostle with comfort, especially when he acquainted
him with their earnest desire to give good satisfaction in the things
about which the apostle had written to them; and of their mourning for
the scandal that was found among them and the great grief they had
caused to others, and their fervent mind or great affection towards the
apostle, who had dealt so faithfully with them in reproving their
faults: so true is the observation of Solomon
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:23">Prov. xxviii. 23</A>),
<I>He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he
that flattereth with his tongue.</I>
3. He ascribes all his comfort to God as the author. It was God who
comforted him by the coming of Titus, even the God of all comfort:
<I>God, who comforteth those that are cast down,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
Note, We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, unto
God, as the author of all the consolation and the good that we
enjoy.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. How greatly he rejoiced at their repentance, and the evidences
thereof. The apostle was sorry that he had grieved them, that some
pious persons among them laid to heart very greatly what he said in his
former epistle, or that it was needful he should make those sorry whom
he would rather have made glad,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
But now he rejoiced, when he found they had <I>sorrowed to
repentance,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
Their sorrow in itself was not the cause of his rejoicing; but the
nature of it, and the effect of it (<I>repentance unto salvation,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
made him rejoice; for now it appeared that they had received damage by
him in nothing. Their sorrow was <I>but for a season;</I> it was turned
into joy, and that joy was durable. Observe here,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. The antecedent of true repentance is godly sorrow; this worketh
repentance. It is not repentance itself, but it is a good preparative
to repentance, and in some sense the cause that produces repentance.
The offender had great sorrow, he was in danger of being <I>swallowed
up with overmuch sorrow;</I> and the society was greatly sorrowful
which before was puffed up: and this sorrow of theirs was after a godly
manner, or according to God (as it is in the original), that is, it was
according to the will of God, tended to the glory of God, and was
wrought by the Spirit of God. It was a godly sorrow, because a sorrow
for sin, as an offence against God, an instance of ingratitude, and a
forfeiture of God's favour. There is a great difference between this
sorrow of a godly sort and the sorrow of this world. Godly sorrow
produces repentance and reformation, and will end in salvation; but
worldly sorrow worketh death. The sorrows of worldly men for worldly
things will bring down gray hairs the sooner to the grave, and such a
sorrow even for sin as Judas had will have fatal consequences, as his
had, which wrought death. Note,
(1.) Repentance will be attended with salvation. Therefore,
(2.) True penitents will never repent that they have repented, nor of
any thing that was conducive thereto.
(3.) Humiliation and godly sorrow are previously necessary in order to
repentance, and both of them are from God, the giver of all grace.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. The happy fruits and consequences of true repentance are mentioned
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
and those <I>fruits that are meet for repentance</I> are the best
evidences of it. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will
be changed too. The Corinthians made it evident that their sorrow was a
godly sorrow, and such as wrought repentance, because it wrought in
them great carefulness about their souls, and to avoid sin, and please
God; it wrought also a clearing of themselves, not by insisting upon
their own justification before God, especially while they persisted in
their sin, but by endeavours to put away the accursed thing, and so
free themselves from the just imputation of approving the evil that had
been done. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter
and his instruments; it wrought fear, a fear of reverence, a fear of
watchfulness, and a fear of distrust, not a distrust of God, but of
themselves; an awful fear of God, a cautious fear of sin, and a jealous
fear of themselves. It wrought vehement desires after a thorough
reformation of what had been amiss, and of reconciliation with God whom
they had offended. It wrought zeal, a mixture of love and anger, a zeal
for duty, and against sin. It wrought, lastly, revenge against sin and
their own folly, by endeavours to make all due satisfaction for
injuries that might be done thereby. And thus <I>in all things had
they approved themselves to be clear in that matter.</I> Not that they
were innocent, but that they were penitent, and therefore clear of
guilt before God, who would pardon and not punish them; and they ought
no longer to be reproved, much less to be reproached, by men, for what
they had truly repented of.</P>
<A NAME="2Co7_12"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_13"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_14"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_15"> </A>
<A NAME="2Co7_16"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Case of Incestuous Person.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A.&nbsp;D.</FONT>&nbsp;57.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, <I>I did it</I> not for his
cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered
wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear
unto you.
&nbsp; 13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and
exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his
spirit was refreshed by you all.
&nbsp; 14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not
ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our
boasting, which <I>I made</I> before Titus, is found a truth.
&nbsp; 15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst
he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and
trembling ye received him.
&nbsp; 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all
<I>things.</I>
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
In these verses the apostle endeavours to comfort the Corinthians, upon
whom his admonitions had had such good effect. And in order thereto,
1. He tells them he had a good design in his former epistle, which
might be thought severe,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
It was not chiefly <I>for his cause that did the wrong,</I> not only
for his benefit, much less merely that he should be punished; nor was
it merely <I>for his cause that suffered wrong,</I> namely, the injured
father, and that he might have what satisfaction could be given him;
but it was also to manifest his great and sincere concern and <I>care
for them,</I> for the whole church, lest that should suffer by letting
such a crime, and the scandal thereof, remain among them without due
remark and resentment.
2. He acquaints them with the joy of Titus as well as of himself upon
the account of their repentance and good behaviour. Titus was rejoiced,
and his spirit refreshed, with their comfort, and this comforted and
rejoiced the apostle also
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
and, as Titus was comforted while he was with them, so when he
remembered his reception among them, expressing their obedience to the
apostolical directions, and their fear and trembling at the reproofs
that were given them, the thoughts of these things inflamed and
increased his affections to them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
Note, Great comfort and joy follow upon godly sorrow. As sin occasions
general grief, so repentance and reformation occasion general joy. Paul
was glad, and Titus was glad, and the Corinthians were comforted, and
the penitent ought to be comforted; and well may all this joy be on
earth, when there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.
3. He concludes this whole matter with expressing the entire
confidence he had in them: He was not ashamed of his boasting
concerning them to Titus
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>);
for he was not disappointed in his expectation concerning them, which
he signified to Titus, and he could now with great joy declare what
confidence he still had in them as to all things, that he did not doubt
of their good behaviour for the time to come. Note, It is a great
comfort and joy to a faithful minister to have to do with a people whom
he can confide in, and who he has reason to hope will comply with every
thing he proposes to them that is for the glory of God, the credit of
the gospel, and their advantage.</P>
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