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483 lines
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second Corinthians II].</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="MHC47001.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC47003.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. II.</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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In this chapter the apostle proceeds in the account of the reasons why
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he did not come to Corinth,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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Then he writes concerning the incestuous person who lay under censure;
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and gives direction for restoring him, together with the reasons for
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their so doing
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:5-11">ver. 5-11</A>),
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and afterwards informs them of his labours and success in preaching the
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gospel in several places,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:12-17">ver. 12-17</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Co2_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_4"> </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>Paul Expresses His Affection.</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 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come
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again to you in heaviness.
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2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad,
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but the same which is made sorry by me?
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3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should
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have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having
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confidence in you all, that my joy is <I>the joy</I> of you all.
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4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto
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you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye
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might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses,
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1. The apostle proceeds in giving an account of the reason why he did
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not come to Corinth, as was expected; namely, because he was unwilling
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to grieve them, or be grieved by them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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<I>He had determined not to come to them in heaviness,</I> which yet he
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would have done had he come and found scandal among them not duly
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animadverted upon: this would have been cause of grief both to him and
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them, for their sorrow or joy at meeting would have been mutual. If he
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had made them sorry, that would have been a sorrow to himself, for
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there would have been none to have made him glad. But his desire was to
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have a cheerful meeting with them, and not to have it embittered by any
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unhappy occasion of disagreeing.
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2. He tells them it was to the same intent that he wrote his former
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epistle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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(1.) <I>That he might not have sorrow from those of whom he ought to
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rejoice;</I> and that he had written to them in confidence of their
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doing what was requisite, in order to their benefit and his comfort.
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The particular thing referred to, as appears by the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:5-11">following verses</A>,
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was the case of the incestuous person about whom he had written in the
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first epistle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:1-13"><I>ch.</I> v</A>.
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Nor was the apostle disappointed in his expectation.
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(2.) He assures them that he did not design to grieve them, but to
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testify his love to them, and that he wrote to them with much
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<I>anguish and affliction</I> in his own heart, and with great
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affection to them. He had <I>written with tears, that they might know
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his abundant love to them.</I> Note,
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[1.] Even in reproofs, admonitions, and acts of discipline, faithful
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ministers show their love.
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[2.] Needful censures, and the exercise of church-discipline towards
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offenders, are a grief to tender-spirited ministers, and are
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administered with regret.</P>
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<A NAME="2Co2_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Case of the Incestuous Person.</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>5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in
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part: that I may not overcharge you all.
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6 Sufficient to such a man <I>is</I> this punishment, which <I>was
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inflicted</I> of many.
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7 So that contrariwise ye <I>ought</I> rather to forgive <I>him,</I> and
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comfort <I>him,</I> lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up
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with overmuch sorrow.
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8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm <I>your</I> love
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toward him.
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9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof
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of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
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10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I <I>forgive</I> also: for if I
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forgave any thing, to whom I forgave <I>it,</I> for your sakes
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<I>forgave I it</I> in the person of Christ;
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11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not
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ignorant of his devices.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses the apostle treats concerning the incestuous person who
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had been excommunicated, which seems to be one principal cause of his
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writing this epistle. Here observe,
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1. He tells them that the crime of that person had grieved him <I>in
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part;</I> and that he was grieved also with a part of them, who,
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notwithstanding this scandal had been found among them, were <I>puffed
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up and had not mourned,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:2">1 Cor. v. 2</A>.
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However, he was unwilling to lay too heavy a charge upon the whole
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church, especially seeing they had cleared themselves in that matter by
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observing the directions he had formerly given them.
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2. He tells them that the punishment which had been inflicted upon this
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offender was sufficient,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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The desired effect was obtained, for the man was humbled, and they had
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shown the proof of their obedience to his directions.
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3. He therefore directs them, with all speed, to restore the
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excommunicated person, or to receive him again to their communion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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This is expressed several ways. He beseeches them to forgive him, that
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is, to release him from church-censures, for they could not remit the
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guilt or offence against God; and also to comfort him, for in many
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cases the comfort of penitents depends upon their reconciliation not
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only with God, but with men also, whom they have scandalized or
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injured. They must also confirm their love to him; that is, they should
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show that their reproofs and censures proceeded from love to his
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person, as well as hatred to his sin, and that their design was to
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reform, not to ruin him. Or thus: If his fall had weakened their love
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to him, that they could not take such satisfaction in him as formerly;
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yet, now that he was recovered by repentance, they must renew and
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confirm their love to him.
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4. He uses several weighty arguments to persuade them to do thus, as,
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(1.) The case of the penitent called for this; for he was in danger of
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being <I>swallowed up with over-much sorrow,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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He was so sensible of this fault, and so much afflicted under his
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punishment, that he was in danger of falling into despair. When sorrow
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is excessive it does hurt; and even sorrow for sin is too great when it
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unfits for other duties, and drives men to despair.
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(2.) They had shown obedience to his directions in passing a censure
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upon the offender and now he would have them comply with his desire to
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restore him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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(3.) He mentions his readiness to forgive this penitent, and concur
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with them in this matter. "<I>To whom you forgive I forgive also,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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I will readily concur with you in forgiving him." And this he would do
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for their sakes, for love to them and for their advantage; and for
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Christ's sake, or in his name, as his apostle, and in conformity to his
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doctrine and example, which are so full of kindness and tender mercy
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towards all those who truly repent.
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(4.) He gives another weighty reason
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
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<I>Lest Satan get an advantage against us.</I> Not only was there
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danger lest Satan should get an advantage against the penitent, by
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driving him to despair; but against the churches also, and the apostles
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or ministers of Christ, by representing them as too rigid and severe,
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and so frightening people from coming among them. In this, as in other
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things, <I>wisdom is profitable to direct,</I> so to manage according
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as the case may be that the <I>ministry may not be blamed,</I> for
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indulging sin on the one hand, or for too great severity towards
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sinners on the other hand. Note, Satan is a subtle enemy, and uses
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many stratagems to deceive us; and we should not be <I>ignorant of his
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devices:</I> he is also a watchful adversary, ready to take all
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advantages against us, and we should be very cautious lest we give him
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any occasion so to do.</P>
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<A NAME="2Co2_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co2_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Effects of the Christian Ministry.</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>12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to <I>preach</I> Christ's
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gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
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13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my
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brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into
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Macedonia.
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14 Now thanks <I>be</I> unto God, which always causeth us to triumph
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in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us
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in every place.
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15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that
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are saved, and in them that perish:
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16 To the one <I>we are</I> the savour of death unto death; and to
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the other the savour of life unto life. And who <I>is</I> sufficient
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for these things?
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17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but
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as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in
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Christ.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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After these directions concerning the excommunicated person the apostle
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makes a long digression, to give the Corinthians an account of his
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travels and labours for the furtherance of the gospel, and what success
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he had therein, declaring at the same time how much he was concerned
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for them in their affairs, how he <I>had no rest in his spirit,</I>
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when he found not Titus at Troas
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
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as he expected, from whom he hoped to have understood more perfectly
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how it fared with them. And we find afterwards
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+7:5-7"><I>ch.</I> vii. 5-7</A>)
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that when the apostle had come into Macedonia he was comforted by the
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coming of Titus, and the information he gave him concerning them. So
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that we may look upon all that we read from this second chapter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:12-7:5"><I>v.</I> 12,
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to <I>ch.</I> vii. 5</A>,
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as a kind of parenthesis. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. Paul's unwearied labour and diligence in his work,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>.
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He travelled from place to place, to preach the gospel. He went to
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Troas from Philippi by sea
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:6">Acts xx. 6</A>),
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and thence he went to Macedonia; so that he was prevented from passing
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by Corinth, as he had designed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:16"><I>ch.</I> i. 16</A>.
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But, though he was prevented in his design as to the place of working,
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yet he was unwearied in his work.</P>
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<P>
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II. His success in his work: A <I>great door was opened to him of the
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Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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He had a great deal of work to do wherever he came, and had good
|
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success in his work; for God <I>made manifest the savour of his
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knowledge</I> by him in every place where he came. He had an
|
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opportunity to open the door of his mouth freely, and God opened the
|
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hearts of his hearers, as the heart of Lydia
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+16:14">Acts xvi. 14</A>),
|
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and the apostle speaks of this as a matter of thankfulness to God and
|
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|
of rejoicing to his soul: <I>Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to
|
||
|
|
triumph in Christ.</I> Note,
|
||
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|
||
|
|
1. A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. In ourselves we are weak,
|
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|
|
and have neither joy nor victory; but in Christ we may rejoice and
|
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|
|
triumph.
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
2. True believers have constant cause of triumph in Christ, for they
|
||
|
|
are more than conquerors through him who hath loved them,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:37">Rom. viii. 37</A>.
|
||
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|
||
|
|
3. God causeth them to triumph in Christ. It is God who has given us
|
||
|
|
matter for triumph, and hearts to triumph. To him therefore be the
|
||
|
|
praise and glory of all.
|
||
|
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|
||
|
|
4. The good success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's
|
||
|
|
joy and rejoicing.</P>
|
||
|
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|
||
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|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
III. The comfort that the apostle and his companions in labour found,
|
||
|
|
even when the gospel was not successful to the salvation of some who
|
||
|
|
heard it,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:15-17"><I>v.</I> 15-17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Here observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
1. The different success of the gospel, and its different effects upon
|
||
|
|
several sorts of persons to whom it is preached. The success is
|
||
|
|
different; for some are saved by it, while others perish under it. Nor
|
||
|
|
is this to be wondered at, considering the different effects the gospel
|
||
|
|
has. For,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Unto some it is a <I>savour of death unto death.</I> Those who are
|
||
|
|
willingly ignorant, and wilfully obstinate, disrelish the gospel, as
|
||
|
|
men dislike an ill savour, and therefore they are blinded and hardened
|
||
|
|
by it: it stirs up their corruptions, and exasperates their spirits.
|
||
|
|
They reject the gospel, to their ruin, even to spiritual and eternal
|
||
|
|
death.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Unto others the gospel is a <I>savour of life unto life.</I> To
|
||
|
|
humble and gracious souls the preaching of the word is most delightful
|
||
|
|
and profitable. As it is sweeter than honey to the taste, so it is more
|
||
|
|
grateful than the most precious odours to the senses, and much more
|
||
|
|
profitable; for as it quickened them at first, <I>when they were dead
|
||
|
|
in trespasses and sins,</I> so it makes them more lively, and will end
|
||
|
|
in eternal life.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
2. The awful impressions this matter made upon the mind of the apostle,
|
||
|
|
and should also make upon our spirits: <I>Who is sufficient for these
|
||
|
|
things?</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<B><I>Tis hikanos</I></B>--who is <I>worthy</I> to be employed in such
|
||
|
|
weighty work, a work of such vast importance, because of so great
|
||
|
|
consequence? Who is able to perform such a difficult work, that
|
||
|
|
requires so much skill and industry? The work is great and our strength
|
||
|
|
is small; yea, of ourselves we have no strength at all; <I>all our
|
||
|
|
sufficiency is of God.</I> Note, If men did seriously consider what
|
||
|
|
great things depend upon the preaching of the gospel, and how difficult
|
||
|
|
the work of the ministry is, they would be very cautious how they enter
|
||
|
|
upon it, and very careful to perform it well.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
3. The comfort which the apostle had under this serious consideration,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(1.) Because faithful ministers shall be accepted of God, whatever
|
||
|
|
their success be: <I>We are,</I> if faithful, <I>unto God a sweet
|
||
|
|
savour of Christ</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
in those who are saved and in those also who perish. God will accept of
|
||
|
|
sincere intentions, and honest endeavours, though with many they are
|
||
|
|
not successful. Ministers shall be accepted, and recompensed, not
|
||
|
|
according to their success, but according to their fidelity. <I>Though
|
||
|
|
Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the
|
||
|
|
Lord,</I>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:5">Isa. xlix. 5</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
(2.) Because his conscience witnessed to his faithfulness,
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
Though many <I>did corrupt the word of God,</I> yet the apostle's
|
||
|
|
conscience witnessed to his fidelity. He did not mix his own notions
|
||
|
|
with the doctrines and institutions of Christ; he durst not add to, nor
|
||
|
|
diminish from, the word of God; he was faithful in dispensing the
|
||
|
|
gospel, as he received it from the Lord, and had no secular turn to
|
||
|
|
serve; his aim was to approve himself to God, remembering that his eye
|
||
|
|
was always upon him; he therefore spoke and acted always as in the
|
||
|
|
sight of God, and therefore in sincerity. Note, What we do in religion
|
||
|
|
is not of God, does not come from God, will not reach to God, unless it
|
||
|
|
be done in sincerity, as in the sight of God.</P>
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC47003.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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