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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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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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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. I.</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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After the introduction
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>)
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the apostle begins with the narrative of his troubles and God's
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goodness, which he had met with in Asia, by way of thanksgiving to God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:3-6">ver. 3-6</A>),
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and for the edification of the Corinthians,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:7-11">ver. 7-11</A>.
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Then he attests his and his fellow-labourers' integrity
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:12-14">ver. 12-14</A>),
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and afterwards vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and
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inconstancy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:15-24">ver. 15-24</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Co1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_2"> </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>Grateful Acknowledgments.</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 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and
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Timothy <I>our</I> brother, unto the church of God which is at
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Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
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2 Grace <I>be</I> to you and peace from God our Father, and <I>from</I>
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the Lord Jesus Christ.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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This is the introduction to this epistle, in which we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The inscription; and therein,
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1. The person from whom it was sent, namely, Paul, who calls himself
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<I>an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.</I> The apostleship
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itself was ordained by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God; and
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Paul was called to it by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God. He
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joins Timotheus with himself in writing this epistle; not because he
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needed his assistance, but that out of the mouth of two witnesses the
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word might be established; and this dignifying Timothy with the title
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of <I>brother</I> (either in the common faith, or in the work of the
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ministry) shows the humility of this great apostle, and his desire to
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recommend Timothy (though he was then a young man) to the esteem of the
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Corinthians, and give him a reputation among the churches.
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2. The persons to whom this epistle was sent, namely, <I>the church of
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God at Corinth:</I> and not only to them, but also <I>to all the saints
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in all Achaia,</I> that is, to all the Christians who lived in the
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region round about. Note, In Christ Jesus no distinction is made
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between the inhabitants of city and country; all Achaia stands upon a
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level in his account.</P>
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<P>
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II. The salutation or apostolical benediction, which is the same as in
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his former epistle; and therein the apostle desires the two great and
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comprehensive blessings, grace and peace, for those Corinthians. These
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two benefits are fitly joined together, because there is no good and
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lasting peace without true grace; and both of them come <I>from God our
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Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ,</I> who is the procurer and
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dispenser of those benefits to fallen man, and is prayed to as God.</P>
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<A NAME="2Co1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_6"> </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>Paul's Sufferings and Consolations.</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>3 Blessed <I>be</I> God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
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4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able
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to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
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wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
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5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our
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consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
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6 And whether we be afflicted, <I>it is</I> for your consolation and
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salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same
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sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, <I>it
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is</I> for your consolation and salvation.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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After the foregoing preface, the apostle begins with the narrative of
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God's goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold
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tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to
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advance the divine glory
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:3-6"><I>v.</I> 3-6</A>);
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and it is fit that in all things, and in the first place, God be
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glorified. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. The object of the apostle's thanksgiving, to whom he offers up
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blessing and praise, namely, the blessed God, who only is to be
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praised, whom he describes by several glorious and amiable titles.
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1. <I>The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:</I> <B> <I>ho
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Theos kai pater tou Kyriou hemon Iesou Christou.</I></B> God is the
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Father of Christ's divine nature by eternal generation, of his human
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nature by miraculous conception in the womb of the virgin, and of
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Christ as God-man, and our Redeemer, by covenant-relation, and in and
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through him as Mediator our God and our Father,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+20:17">John xx. 17</A>.
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In the Old Testament we often meet with this title, <I>The God of
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Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob,</I> to denote God's
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covenant-relation to them and their seed; and in the New Testament God
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is styled <I>the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,</I> to denote
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his covenant-relation to the Mediator and his spiritual seed.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:16">Gal. iii. 16</A>.
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2. <I>The Father of mercies.</I> There is a multitude of tender mercies
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in God essentially, and all mercies are from God originally: mercy in
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his genuine offspring and his delight. <I>He delighteth in mercy,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+7:18">Mic. vii. 18</A>.
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3. <I>The God of all comfort;</I> from his proceedeth the
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C<FONT SIZE=-1>OMFORTER</FONT>,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:26">John xv. 26</A>.
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He giveth the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
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All our comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in
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him.</P>
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<P>
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II. The reasons of the apostle's thanksgivings, which are these:--</P>
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<P>
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1. The benefits that he himself and his companions had received from
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God; for God <I>had comforted</I> them <I>in all their
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tribulations,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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In the world they had trouble, but in Christ they had peace. The
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apostles met with many tribulations, but they found comfort in them
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all: their sufferings (which are called <I>the sufferings of
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Christ,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>,
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because Christ sympathized with his members when suffering for his
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sake) did abound, but their consolation by Christ did abound also.
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Note,
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(1.) Then are we qualified to receive the comfort of God's mercies when
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we set ourselves to give him the glory of them.
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(2.) Then we speak best of God and his goodness when we speak from our
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own experience, and, in telling others, tell God also what he has done
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for our souls.</P>
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<P>
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2. The advantage which others might receive; for God intended that they
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<I>should be able to comfort others</I> in trouble
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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by communicating to them their experiences of the divine goodness and
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mercy; and the sufferings of good men have a tendency to this good end
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
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when they are endued with faith and patience. Note,
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(1.) What favours God bestows on us are intended not only to make us
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cheerful ourselves, but also that we may be useful to others.
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(2.) If we do imitate the faith and patience of good men in their
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afflictions, we may hope to partake of their consolations here and
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their salvation hereafter.</P>
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<A NAME="2Co1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_11"> </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>Paul's Sincerity and Affliction.</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>7 And our hope of you <I>is</I> stedfast, knowing, that as ye are
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partakers of the sufferings, so <I>shall ye be</I> also of the
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consolation.
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8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble
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which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure,
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above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
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9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should
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not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
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10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in
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whom we trust that he will yet deliver <I>us;</I>
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11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift
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<I>bestowed</I> upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be
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given by many on our behalf.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses the apostle speaks for the encouragement and
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edification of the Corinthians; and tells them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>)
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of his persuasion or stedfast hope that they should receive benefit by
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the troubles he and his companions in labour and travel had met with,
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that their faith should not be weakened, but their consolations
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increased. In order to this he tells them,
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1. What their sufferings had been
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
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<I>We would not have you ignorant of our trouble.</I> It was convenient
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for the churches to know what were the sufferings of their ministers.
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It is not certain what particular troubles in Asia are here referred
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to; whether the tumult raised by Demetrius at Ephesus, mentioned
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:24-41">Acts xix.</A>,
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or the fight with beasts at Ephesus, mentioned in the former epistle
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:32"><I>ch.</I> xv.</A>),
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or some other trouble; for the apostle was in deaths often. This
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however is evident, that they were great tribulations. They <I>were
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pushed out of measure,</I> to a very extraordinary degree, above the
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common strength of men, or of ordinary Christians, to bear up under
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them, insomuch that they <I>despaired even of life</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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and thought they should have been killed, or have fainted away and
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expired.
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2. What they did in their distress: <I>They trusted in God.</I> And
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they were brought to this extremity in order <I>that they should not
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trust in themselves but in God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Note, God often brings his people into great straits, that they may
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apprehend their own insufficiency to help themselves, and may be
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induced to place their trust and hope in his all-sufficiency. Our
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extremity is God's opportunity. <I>In the mount will the Lord be
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seen;</I> and we may safely trust in <I>God, who raiseth the dead,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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God's raising the dead is a proof of his almighty power. He that can do
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this can do any thing, can do all things, and is worthy to be trusted
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in at all times. Abraham's faith fastened upon this instance of the
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divine power: <I>He believed God who quickeneth the dead,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+4:17">Rom. iv. 17</A>.
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If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may
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then trust in God, who can bring back not only from the gates, but from
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the jaws, of death.
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3. What the deliverance was that they had obtained; and this was
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seasonable and continued. Their hope and trust were not in vain, nor
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shall any who trust in him be ashamed. God had delivered them, and did
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still deliver them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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<I>Having obtained help of God, they continued to that day,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:22">Acts xxvi. 22</A>.
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4. What use they made of this deliverance: <I>We trust that he will yet
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deliver us</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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that God will deliver to the end, and <I>preserve to his heavenly
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kingdom.</I> Note, Past experiences are great encouragements to faith
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and hope, and they lay great obligations to trust in God for time to
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come. We reproach our experiences if we distrust God in future straits,
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who hath delivered as in former troubles. David, even when a young man,
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and when he had but a small stock of experiences, argued after the
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manner of the apostle here,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+17:37">1 Sam. xvii. 37</A>.
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5. What was desired of the Corinthians upon this account: <I>That they
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would help together by prayer for them</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
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by social prayer, agreeing and joining together in prayer on their
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behalf. Note, our trusting in God must not supersede the use of any
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proper and appointed means; and prayer is one of those means. We should
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pray for ourselves and for one another. The apostle had himself a great
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interest in the throne of grace, yet he desires the help of others'
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prayers. If we thus help one another by our prayers, we may hope for an
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occasion of <I>giving thanks by many</I> for answer of prayer. And it
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is our duty not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and
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thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits
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received.</P>
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<A NAME="2Co1_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Co1_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Sincerity and Affliction.</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 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience,
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that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom,
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but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the
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world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
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13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read
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or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
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14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your
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rejoicing, even as ye also <I>are</I> ours in the day of the Lord
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Jesus.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The apostle in these verses attests their integrity by the sincerity of
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their conversation. This he does not in a way of boasting and
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vain-glory, but as one good reason for desiring the help of prayer, as
|
|
well as for the more comfortably trusting in God
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:18">Heb. xiii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
I. He appeals to the testimony of conscience with rejoicing
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
II. He appeals to the knowledge of the Corinthians with hope and
|
|
confidence,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Co1_24"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul's Sincerity and Affliction.</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>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.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
I. He avers the sincerity of his intention
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:15-17"><I>v.</I> 15-17</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:18,19"><I>v.</I> 18, 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>,
|
|
|
|
<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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
nothing but infallible truth. And the promises of God in Christ are not
|
|
yea and nay, but yea and amen,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
of him <I>that cannot lie,</I> whose truth as well as mercy endureth
|
|
for ever.
|
|
|
|
2. They are made in Christ Jesus
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+7:22">Heb. vii. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>)
|
|
|
|
for the glory of his rich and sovereign grace, and never-failing truth
|
|
and faithfulness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The apostle gives a good reason why he did not come to Corinth, as
|
|
was expected,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ only is the Lord of our faith; he is the <I>author and finisher
|
|
of our faith,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:2">Heb. xii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:5">1 Cor. iii. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
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>
|
|
|
|
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