mh_parser/vol_split/47 - 2Corinthians/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="iiCor.ii" n="ii" next="iiCor.iii" prev="iiCor.i" progress="51.39%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="iiCor.ii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiCor.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCor.ii-p1">After the introduction (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.1-2Cor.1.2" parsed="|2Cor|1|1|1|2" passage="2Co 1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>) the apostle begins with the
narrative of his troubles and God's goodness, which he had met with
in Asia, by way of thanksgiving to God (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.3-2Cor.1.6" parsed="|2Cor|1|3|1|6" passage="2Co 1:3-6">ver. 3-6</scripRef>), and for the edification of the
Corinthians, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.7-2Cor.1.11" parsed="|2Cor|1|7|1|11" passage="2Co 1:7-11">ver. 7-11</scripRef>.
Then he attests his and his fellow-labourers' integrity (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.12-2Cor.1.14" parsed="|2Cor|1|12|1|14" passage="2Co 1:12-14">ver. 12-14</scripRef>), and afterwards
vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy,
<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.15-2Cor.1.24" parsed="|2Cor|1|15|1|24" passage="2Co 1:15-24">ver. 15-24</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCor.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1" parsed="|2Cor|1|0|0|0" passage="2Co 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCor.ii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.1-2Cor.1.2" parsed="|2Cor|1|1|1|2" passage="2Co 1:1-2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.1.1-2Cor.1.2">
<h4 id="iiCor.ii-p1.8">Grateful Acknowledgments. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.ii-p1.9">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.ii-p2">1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will
of God, and Timothy <i>our</i> brother, unto the church of God
which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
  2 Grace <i>be</i> to you and peace from God our Father, and
<i>from</i> the Lord Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p3">This is the introduction to this epistle,
in which we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p4">I. The inscription; and therein, 1. The
person from whom it was sent, namely, Paul, who calls himself <i>an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.</i> The apostleship
itself was ordained by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God;
and Paul was called to it by Jesus Christ, according to the will of
God. He joins Timotheus with himself in writing this epistle; not
because he needed his assistance, but that out of the mouth of two
witnesses the word might be established; and this dignifying
Timothy with the title of <i>brother</i> (either in the common
faith, or in the work of the ministry) shows the humility of this
great apostle, and his desire to recommend Timothy (though he was
then a young man) to the esteem of the Corinthians, and give him a
reputation among the churches. 2. The persons to whom this epistle
was sent, namely, <i>the church of God at Corinth:</i> and not only
to them, but also <i>to all the saints in all Achaia,</i> that is,
to all the Christians who lived in the region round about. Note, In
Christ Jesus no distinction is made between the inhabitants of city
and country; all Achaia stands upon a level in his account.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p5">II. The salutation or apostolical
benediction, which is the same as in his former epistle; and
therein the apostle desires the two great and comprehensive
blessings, grace and peace, for those Corinthians. These two
benefits are fitly joined together, because there is no good and
lasting peace without true grace; and both of them come <i>from God
our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ,</i> who is the procurer
and dispenser of those benefits to fallen man, and is prayed to as
God.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.ii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.3-2Cor.1.6" parsed="|2Cor|1|3|1|6" passage="2Co 1:3-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.1.3-2Cor.1.6">
<h4 id="iiCor.ii-p5.2">Paul's Sufferings and
Consolations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.ii-p5.3">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.ii-p6">3 Blessed <i>be</i> God, even the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all
comfort;   4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we
may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the
comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.   5 For
as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ.   6 And whether we be afflicted, <i>it
is</i> for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in
the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or
whether we be comforted, <i>it is</i> for your consolation and
salvation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p7">After the foregoing preface, the apostle
begins with the narrative of God's goodness to him and his
fellow-labourers in their manifold tribulations, which he speaks of
by way of thanksgiving to God, and to advance the divine glory
(<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.3-2Cor.1.6" parsed="|2Cor|1|3|1|6" passage="2Co 1:3-6"><i>v.</i> 3-6</scripRef>); and it is
fit that in all things, and in the first place, God be glorified.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p8">I. The object of the apostle's
thanksgiving, to whom he offers up blessing and praise, namely, the
blessed God, who only is to be praised, whom he describes by
several glorious and amiable titles. 1. <i>The God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ:</i> <b><i>ho Theos kai pater tou Kyriou
hemon Iesou Christou.</i></b> God is the Father of Christ's divine
nature by eternal generation, of his human nature by miraculous
conception in the womb of the virgin, and of Christ as God-man, and
our Redeemer, by covenant-relation, and in and through him as
Mediator our God and our Father, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:John.20.17" parsed="|John|20|17|0|0" passage="Joh 20:17">John
xx. 17</scripRef>. In the Old Testament we often meet with this
title, <i>The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob,</i> to
denote God's covenant-relation to them and their seed; and in the
New Testament God is styled <i>the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ,</i> to denote his covenant-relation to the Mediator and his
spiritual seed. <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.16" parsed="|Gal|3|16|0|0" passage="Ga 3:16">Gal. iii.
16</scripRef>. 2. <i>The Father of mercies.</i> There is a
multitude of tender mercies in God essentially, and all mercies are
from God originally: mercy in his genuine offspring and his
delight. <i>He delighteth in mercy,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Mic.7.18" parsed="|Mic|7|18|0|0" passage="Mic 7:18">Mic. vii. 18</scripRef>. 3. <i>The God of all
comfort;</i> from his proceedeth the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.ii-p8.4">Comforter</span>, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:John.15.26" parsed="|John|15|26|0|0" passage="Joh 15:26">John
xv. 26</scripRef>. He giveth the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.22" parsed="|2Cor|1|22|0|0" passage="2Co 1:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. All
our comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in
him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p9">II. The reasons of the apostle's
thanksgivings, which are these:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p10">1. The benefits that he himself and his
companions had received from God; for God <i>had comforted</i> them
<i>in all their tribulations,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.4" parsed="|2Cor|1|4|0|0" passage="2Co 1:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. In the world they had trouble,
but in Christ they had peace. The apostles met with many
tribulations, but they found comfort in them all: their sufferings
(which are called <i>the sufferings of Christ,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.5" parsed="|2Cor|1|5|0|0" passage="2Co 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>, because Christ
sympathized with his members when suffering for his sake) did
abound, but their consolation by Christ did abound also. Note, (1.)
Then are we qualified to receive the comfort of God's mercies when
we set ourselves to give him the glory of them. (2.) Then we speak
best of God and his goodness when we speak from our own experience,
and, in telling others, tell God also what he has done for our
souls.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p11">2. The advantage which others might
receive; for God intended that they <i>should be able to comfort
others</i> in trouble (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.4" parsed="|2Cor|1|4|0|0" passage="2Co 1:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>), by communicating to them their experiences of the
divine goodness and mercy; and the sufferings of good men have a
tendency to this good end (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.6" parsed="|2Cor|1|6|0|0" passage="2Co 1:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>) when they are endued with faith and patience. Note,
(1.) What favours God bestows on us are intended not only to make
us cheerful ourselves, but also that we may be useful to others.
(2.) If we do imitate the faith and patience of good men in their
afflictions, we may hope to partake of their consolations here and
their salvation hereafter.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.ii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.7-2Cor.1.11" parsed="|2Cor|1|7|1|11" passage="2Co 1:7-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.1.7-2Cor.1.11">
<h4 id="iiCor.ii-p11.4">Paul's Sincerity and
Affliction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.ii-p11.5">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.ii-p12">7 And our hope of you <i>is</i> stedfast,
knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so <i>shall ye
be</i> also of the consolation.   8 For we would not,
brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in
Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch
that we despaired even of life:   9 But we had the sentence of
death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in
God which raiseth the dead:   10 Who delivered us from so
great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet
deliver <i>us;</i>   11 Ye also helping together by prayer for
us, that for the gift <i>bestowed</i> upon us by the means of many
persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p13">In these verses the apostle speaks for the
encouragement and edification of the Corinthians; and tells them
(<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.7" parsed="|2Cor|1|7|0|0" passage="2Co 1:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>) of his
persuasion or stedfast hope that they should receive benefit by the
troubles he and his companions in labour and travel had met with,
that their faith should not be weakened, but their consolations
increased. In order to this he tells them, 1. What their sufferings
had been (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.8" parsed="|2Cor|1|8|0|0" passage="2Co 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>):
<i>We would not have you ignorant of our trouble.</i> It was
convenient for the churches to know what were the sufferings of
their ministers. It is not certain what particular troubles in Asia
are here referred to; whether the tumult raised by Demetrius at
Ephesus, mentioned <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.24-Acts.19.41" parsed="|Acts|19|24|19|41" passage="Ac 19:24-41">Acts
xix.</scripRef>, or the fight with beasts at Ephesus, mentioned in
the former epistle (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.32" parsed="|1Cor|15|32|0|0" passage="1Co 15:32"><i>ch.</i>
xv.</scripRef>), or some other trouble; for the apostle was in
deaths often. This however is evident, that they were great
tribulations. They <i>were pushed out of measure,</i> to a very
extraordinary degree, above the common strength of men, or of
ordinary Christians, to bear up under them, insomuch that they
<i>despaired even of life</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.8" parsed="|2Cor|1|8|0|0" passage="2Co 1:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and thought they should have
been killed, or have fainted away and expired. 2. What they did in
their distress: <i>They trusted in God.</i> And they were brought
to this extremity in order <i>that they should not trust in
themselves but in God,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.9" parsed="|2Cor|1|9|0|0" passage="2Co 1:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. Note, God often brings his people into great straits,
that they may apprehend their own insufficiency to help themselves,
and may be induced to place their trust and hope in his
all-sufficiency. Our extremity is God's opportunity. <i>In the
mount will the Lord be seen;</i> and we may safely trust in <i>God,
who raiseth the dead,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.9" parsed="|2Cor|1|9|0|0" passage="2Co 1:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. God's raising the dead is a proof of his almighty
power. He that can do this can do any thing, can do all things, and
is worthy to be trusted in at all times. Abraham's faith fastened
upon this instance of the divine power: <i>He believed God who
quickeneth the dead,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Rom.4.17" parsed="|Rom|4|17|0|0" passage="Ro 4:17">Rom. iv.
17</scripRef>. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of
life, yet we may then trust in God, who can bring back not only
from the gates, but from the jaws, of death. 3. What the
deliverance was that they had obtained; and this was seasonable and
continued. Their hope and trust were not in vain, nor shall any who
trust in him be ashamed. God had delivered them, and did still
deliver them, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.10" parsed="|2Cor|1|10|0|0" passage="2Co 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>.
<i>Having obtained help of God, they continued to that day,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:Acts.26.22" parsed="|Acts|26|22|0|0" passage="Ac 26:22">Acts xxvi. 22</scripRef>. 4. What use
they made of this deliverance: <i>We trust that he will yet deliver
us</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.11" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.10" parsed="|2Cor|1|10|0|0" passage="2Co 1:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), that
God will deliver to the end, and <i>preserve to his heavenly
kingdom.</i> Note, Past experiences are great encouragements to
faith and hope, and they lay great obligations to trust in God for
time to come. We reproach our experiences if we distrust God in
future straits, who hath delivered as in former troubles. David,
even when a young man, and when he had but a small stock of
experiences, argued after the manner of the apostle here, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.12" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.17.37" parsed="|1Sam|17|37|0|0" passage="1Sa 17:37">1 Sam. xvii. 37</scripRef>. 5. What was desired
of the Corinthians upon this account: <i>That they would help
together by prayer for them</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p13.13" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.11" parsed="|2Cor|1|11|0|0" passage="2Co 1:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), by social prayer, agreeing and
joining together in prayer on their behalf. Note, our trusting in
God must not supersede the use of any proper and appointed means;
and prayer is one of those means. We should pray for ourselves and
for one another. The apostle had himself a great interest in the
throne of grace, yet he desires the help of others' prayers. If we
thus help one another by our prayers, we may hope for an occasion
of <i>giving thanks by many</i> for answer of prayer. And it is our
duty not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and
thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits
received.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.ii-p13.14" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.12-2Cor.1.14" parsed="|2Cor|1|12|1|14" passage="2Co 1:12-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.1.12-2Cor.1.14">
<h4 id="iiCor.ii-p13.15">Paul's Sincerity and
Affliction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.ii-p13.16">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.ii-p14">12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of
our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our
conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  
13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or
acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
  14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your
rejoicing, even as ye also <i>are</i> ours in the day of the Lord
Jesus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p15">The apostle in these verses attests their
integrity by the sincerity of their conversation. This he does not
in a way of boasting and vain-glory, but as one good reason for
desiring the help of prayer, as well as for the more comfortably
trusting in God (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.18" parsed="|Heb|13|18|0|0" passage="Heb 13:18">Heb. xiii.
18</scripRef>), and for the necessary vindication of himself from
the aspersions of some persons at Corinth, who reproached his
person and questioned his apostleship. Here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p16">I. He appeals to the testimony of
conscience with rejoicing (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.12" parsed="|2Cor|1|12|0|0" passage="2Co 1:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>), in which observe, 1. The witness appealed to,
namely, conscience, which is instead of a thousand witnesses. This
God's deputy in the soul, and the voice of conscience is the voice
of God. They rejoiced in the testimony of conscience, when their
enemies reproached them, and were enraged against them. Note, The
testimony of conscience for us, if that be right and upon good
grounds, will be matter of rejoicing at all times and in all
conditions. 2. The testimony this witness gave. And here take
notice, Conscience witnessed, (1.) Concerning their conversation,
their constant course and tenour of life: by that we may judge of
ourselves, and not by this or that single act. (2.) Concerning the
nature or manner of their conversation; that it was in simplicity
and godly sincerity. This blessed apostle was a true Israelite, a
man of plain dealing; you might know where to have him. He was not
a man who seemed to be one thing and was another, but a man of
sincerity. (3.) Concerning the principle they acted from in all
their conversation, both in the world and towards these
Corinthians; and that was not fleshly wisdom, nor carnal politics
and worldly views, but it was the grace of God, a vital gracious
principle in their hearts, that cometh from God, and tendeth to
God. Then will our conversation be well ordered when we live and
act under the influence and command of such a gracious principle in
the heart.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p17">II. He appeals to the knowledge of the
Corinthians with hope and confidence, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.13-2Cor.1.14" parsed="|2Cor|1|13|1|14" passage="2Co 1:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13, 14</scripRef>. Their conversation did
in part fall under the observation of the Corinthians; and these
knew how they behaved themselves, <i>how holily, and justly, and
unblamably;</i> they never found any thing in them unbecoming an
honest man. This they had acknowledged in part already, and he
doubted not but they would still do so to the end, that is, that
they would never have any good reason to think or say otherwise of
him, but that he was an honest man. And so there would be mutual
rejoicing in one another. <i>We are your rejoicing, even as you
also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.</i> Note, It is happy
when ministers and people do rejoice in each other here; and this
joy will be complete in that day when the great Shepherd of the
sheep shall appear.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.ii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.15-2Cor.1.24" parsed="|2Cor|1|15|1|24" passage="2Co 1:15-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.1.15-2Cor.1.24">
<h4 id="iiCor.ii-p17.3">Paul's Sincerity and
Affliction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.ii-p17.4">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.ii-p18">15 And in this confidence I was minded to come
unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;   16 And
to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia
unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judæa.  
17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the
things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that
with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?   18 But
<i>as</i> God <i>is</i> true, our word toward you was not yea and
nay.   19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached
among you by us, <i>even</i> by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was
not yea and nay, but in him was yea.   20 For all the promises
of God in him <i>are</i> yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of
God by us.   21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in
Christ, and hath anointed us, <i>is</i> God;   22 Who hath
also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
  23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to
spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.   24 Not for that we
have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by
faith ye stand.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p19">The apostle here vindicates himself from
the imputation of levity and inconstancy, in that he did not hold
his purpose of coming to them at Corinth. His adversaries there
sought all occasions to blemish his character, and reflect upon his
conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold of this handle to reproach
his person and discredit his ministry. Now, for his
justification,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p20">I. He avers the sincerity of his intention
(<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.15-2Cor.1.17" parsed="|2Cor|1|15|1|17" passage="2Co 1:15-17"><i>v.</i> 15-17</scripRef>), and
he does this in confidence of their good opinion of him, and that
they would believe him, when he assured them he <i>was minded,</i>
or did really intend, <i>to come</i> to them, and that with the
design, not that he might receive, but that they might receive a
<i>second benefit,</i> that is, a further advantage by his
ministry. He tells them that he had not herein <i>used
lightness</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.17" parsed="|2Cor|1|17|0|0" passage="2Co 1:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>), that, as he aimed not at any secular advantage to
himself (for his purpose was not <i>according to the flesh,</i>
that is, with carnal views and aims), so it was not a rash and
inconsiderate resolution that he had taken up, for he had laid his
measures thus of <i>passing by them to Macedonia, and coming again
to them from Macedonia in his way to Judea</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.16" parsed="|2Cor|1|16|0|0" passage="2Co 1:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), and therefore they might
conclude that it was for some weighty reasons that he had altered
his purpose; and that with him there was not yea yea, and nay nay,
<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.17" parsed="|2Cor|1|17|0|0" passage="2Co 1:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. He was not to
be accused of levity and inconstancy, nor a contradiction between
his words and intentions. Note, Good men should be careful to
preserve the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not
resolve but upon mature deliberation, and they will not change
their resolves but for weighty reasons.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p21">II. He would not have the Corinthians to
infer that his gospel was false or uncertain, nor that it was
contradictory in itself, nor unto truth, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.18-2Cor.1.19" parsed="|2Cor|1|18|1|19" passage="2Co 1:18,19"><i>v.</i> 18, 19</scripRef>. For if it had been so,
that he had been fickle in his purposes, or even false in the
promises he made of coming to them (which he was not justly to be
accused of, and so some understand his expression, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.18" parsed="|2Cor|1|18|0|0" passage="2Co 1:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>, <i>Our word towards you
was not yea and nay</i>), yet it would not follow that the gospel
preached not only by him, but also by others in full agreement with
him, was either false or doubtful. For <i>God is true, and the Son
of God, Jesus Christ,</i> is true. The true God, and eternal life.
Jesus Christ, whom the apostle preached, is not <i>yea</i> and
<i>nay,</i> but in him was <i>yea</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.19" parsed="|2Cor|1|19|0|0" passage="2Co 1:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), nothing but infallible truth.
And the promises of God in Christ are not yea and nay, but yea and
amen, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.20" parsed="|2Cor|1|20|0|0" passage="2Co 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. There
is an inviolable constancy and unquestionable sincerity and
certainty in all the parts of the gospel of Christ. If in the
promises that the ministers of the gospel make as common men, and
about their own affairs, they see cause sometimes to vary from
them, yet the promises of the gospel covenant, which they preach,
stand firm and inviolable. Bad men are false; good men are fickle;
but <i>God is true,</i> neither fickle nor false. The apostle,
having mentioned the stability of the divine promises, makes a
digression to illustrate this great and sweet truth, that all the
promises of God are yea and amen. For, 1. They are the promises of
the God of truth (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.20" parsed="|2Cor|1|20|0|0" passage="2Co 1:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>), of him <i>that cannot lie,</i> whose truth as well
as mercy endureth for ever. 2. They are made in Christ Jesus
(<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.20" parsed="|2Cor|1|20|0|0" passage="2Co 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>), the Amen,
the true and faithful witness; he hath purchased and ratified the
covenant of promises, and is the <i>surety of the covenant,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.7" osisRef="Bible:Heb.7.22" parsed="|Heb|7|22|0|0" passage="Heb 7:22">Heb. vii. 22</scripRef>. 3. They are
confirmed by the Holy Spirit. He does establish Christians in the
faith of the gospel; he has anointed them with his sanctifying
grace, which in scripture is often compared to oil; he has sealed
them, for their security and confirmation; and he is given <i>as an
earnest in their hearts,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.8" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.21-2Cor.1.22" parsed="|2Cor|1|21|1|22" passage="2Co 1:21,22"><i>v.</i> 21, 22</scripRef>. An earnest secures the
promise, and is part of the payment. The illumination of the Spirit
is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit
are an earnest of everlasting joy. Note, The veracity of God, the
mediation of Christ, and the operation of the Spirit, are all
engaged that the promises shall be sure to all the seed, and the
accomplishment of them shall be to the <i>glory of God</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p21.9" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.20" parsed="|2Cor|1|20|0|0" passage="2Co 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>) for the
glory of his rich and sovereign grace, and never-failing truth and
faithfulness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.ii-p22">III. The apostle gives a good reason why he
did not come to Corinth, as was expected, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.23" parsed="|2Cor|1|23|0|0" passage="2Co 1:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. It was that he might spare
them. They ought therefore to own his kindness and tenderness. He
knew there were things amiss among them, and such as deserved
censure, but was desirous to show tenderness. He assures them that
this is the true reason, after this very solemn manner: <i>I call
God for a record upon my soul</i>—a way of speaking not
justifiable where used in trivial matters; but this was very
justifiable in the apostle, for his necessary vindication, and for
the credit and usefulness of his ministry, which was struck at by
his opposers. He adds, to prevent mistakes, that he did not pretend
to have any dominion over their faith, <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.24" parsed="|2Cor|1|24|0|0" passage="2Co 1:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. Christ only is the Lord of our
faith; he is the <i>author and finisher of our faith,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.2" parsed="|Heb|12|2|0|0" passage="Heb 12:2">Heb. xii. 2</scripRef>. He reveals to us what we
must believe. Paul, and Apollos, and the rest of the apostles, were
<i>but ministers by whom they believed</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.ii-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.3.5" parsed="|1Cor|3|5|0|0" passage="1Co 3:5">1 Cor. iii. 5</scripRef>), and so the <i>helpers of their
joy,</i> even the joy of faith. For by faith we stand firmly, and
live safely and comfortably. Our strength and ability are owing to
faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith.</p>
</div></div2>