mh_parser/vol_split/47 - 2Corinthians/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="iiCor.xiv" n="xiv" next="Gal" prev="iiCor.xiii" progress="54.52%" title="Chapter XIII">
<h2 id="iiCor.xiv-p0.1">S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiCor.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCor.xiv-p1">In this chapter the apostle threatens to be severe
against obstinate sinners, and assigns the reason thereof
(<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.1-2Cor.13.6" parsed="|2Cor|13|1|13|6" passage="2Co 13:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>); then he makes
a suitable prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, with the
reasons inducing him thereto (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.7-2Cor.13.10" parsed="|2Cor|13|7|13|10" passage="2Co 13:7-10">ver.
7-10</scripRef>), and concludes his epistle with a valediction and
a benediction, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.11-2Cor.13.14" parsed="|2Cor|13|11|13|14" passage="2Co 13:11-14">ver.
11-14</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCor.xiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13" parsed="|2Cor|13|0|0|0" passage="2Co 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCor.xiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.1-2Cor.13.6" parsed="|2Cor|13|1|13|6" passage="2Co 13:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.13.1-2Cor.13.6">
<h4 id="iiCor.xiv-p1.6">The Apostle Asserts His
Claims. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.xiv-p1.7">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.xiv-p2">1 This <i>is</i> the third <i>time</i> I am
coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every
word be established.   2 I told you before, and foretell you,
as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write
to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I
come again, I will not spare:   3 Since ye seek a proof of
Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty
in you.   4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet
he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we
shall live with him by the power of God toward you.   5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in
you, except ye be reprobates?   6 But I trust that ye shall
know that we are not reprobates.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p3">In these verses observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p4">I. The apostle threatens to be severe
against obstinate sinners when he should come to Corinth, having
now sent to them a first and second epistle, with proper
admonitions and exhortations, in order to reform what was amiss
among them. Concerning this we may notice, 1. The caution with
which he proceeded in his censures: he was not hasty in using
severity, but gave a first and second admonition. So some
understand his words (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.1" parsed="|2Cor|13|1|0|0" passage="2Co 13:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>): <i>This is the third time I am coming to you,</i>
referring to his first and second epistles, by which he admonished
them, as if he were present with them, though in person he was
absent, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.2" parsed="|2Cor|13|2|0|0" passage="2Co 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
According to this interpretation, these two epistles are the
witnesses he means in the first verse, referring rather to the
direction of our Saviour (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.17.16" parsed="|Matt|17|16|0|0" passage="Mt 17:16">Matt. xvii.
16</scripRef>) concerning the manner how Christians should deal
with offenders before they proceed to extremity than to the law of
Moses (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.6 Bible:Deut.19.15" parsed="|Deut|17|6|0|0;|Deut|19|15|0|0" passage="De 17:6,19:15">Deut. xvii. 6; xix.
15</scripRef>) for the behaviour of judges in criminal matters. We
should go, or send, to our brother, once and again, to tell him of
his fault. Thus the apostle had told these Corinthians before, in
his former epistle, and now he tells them, or <i>writes to those
who heretofore had sinned, and to all others,</i> giving warning
unto all before he came in person <i>the third time,</i> to
exercise severity against scandalous offenders. Others think that
the apostle had designed and prepared for his journey to Corinth
twice already, but was providentially hindered, and now informs
them of his intentions a third time to come to them. However this
be, it is observable that he kept an account how often he
endeavoured, and what pains he took with these Corinthians for
their good: and we may be sure that an account is kept in heaven,
and we must be reckoned with another day for the helps we have had
for our souls, and how we have improved them. 2. The threatening
itself: <i>That if</i> (or when) <i>he came again</i> (in person)
<i>he would not spare</i> obstinate sinners, and such as were
impenitent, in their scandalous enormities. He had told them
before, he feared <i>God would humble him among them,</i> because
he should find some who <i>had sinned and had not repented;</i> and
now he declares he would not spare such, but would inflict
church-censures upon them, which are thought to have been
accompanied in those early times with visible and extraordinary
tokens of divine displeasure. Note, Though it is God's gracious
method to bear long with sinners, yet he will not bear always; at
length he will come, and will not spare those who remain obstinate
and impenitent, notwithstanding all his methods to reclaim and
reform them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p5">II. The apostle assigns a reason why he
would be thus severe, namely, for <i>a proof of Christ's speaking
in him,</i> which they <i>sought after,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.3" parsed="|2Cor|13|3|0|0" passage="2Co 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. The evidence of his apostleship
was necessary for the credit, confirmation, and success, of the
gospel he preached; and therefore such as denied this were justly
and severely to be censured. It was the design of the false
teachers to make the Corinthians call this matter into question, of
which yet they had not weak, but strong and mighty proofs
(<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.3" parsed="|2Cor|13|3|0|0" passage="2Co 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>),
notwithstanding the mean figure he made in the world and the
contempt which by some was cast upon him. Even as Christ himself
<i>was crucified through weakness,</i> or appeared in his
crucifixion as a weak and contemptible person, <i>but liveth by the
power of God,</i> or in his resurrection and life manifests his
divine power (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.4" parsed="|2Cor|13|4|0|0" passage="2Co 13:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>),
so the apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to
the world, did yet, as instruments, manifest the power of God, and
particularly the power of his grace, in converting the world to
Christianity. And therefore, as a proof to those who among the
<i>Corinthians sought a proof of</i> Christ's speaking in the
apostle, he puts them upon proving their Christianity (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.5" parsed="|2Cor|13|5|0|0" passage="2Co 13:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): <i>Examine
yourselves,</i> &amp;c. Hereby he intimates that, if they could
prove their own Christianity, this would be a proof of his
apostleship; for if they were in the faith, if Jesus Christ was in
them, this was a proof that Christ spoke in him, because it was by
his ministry that they did believe. He had been not only an
instructor, but a father to them. He had begotten them again by the
gospel of Christ. Now it could not be imagined that a divine power
should go along with his ministrations if he had not his commission
from on high. If therefore they could prove themselves <i>not to be
reprobates,</i> not to be rejected of Christ, <i>he trusted they
would know that he was not a reprobate</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.6" parsed="|2Cor|13|6|0|0" passage="2Co 13:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), not disowned by Christ. What
the apostle here says of the duty of the Corinthians to <i>examine
themselves,</i> &amp;c., with the particular view already
mentioned, is applicable to the great duty of all who call
themselves Christians, to examine themselves concerning their
spiritual state. We should examine whether we be in the faith,
because it is a matter in which we may be easily deceived, and
wherein a deceit is highly dangerous: we are therefore concerned to
<i>prove our own selves,</i> to put the question to our own souls,
whether Christ be in us, or not; and <i>Christ is in us, except we
be reprobates:</i> so that either we are true Christians or we are
great cheats; and what a reproachful thing is it for a man not to
know himself, not to know his own mind!</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.xiv-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.7-2Cor.13.10" parsed="|2Cor|13|7|13|10" passage="2Co 13:7-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.13.7-2Cor.13.10">
<h4 id="iiCor.xiv-p5.7">The Apostle Asserts His
Claims. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.xiv-p5.8">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.xiv-p6">7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that
we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is
honest, though we be as reprobates.   8 For we can do nothing
against the truth, but for the truth.   9 For we are glad,
when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish,
<i>even</i> your perfection.   10 Therefore I write these
things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness,
according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification,
and not to destruction.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p7">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p8">I. The apostle's prayer to God on the
behalf of the Corinthians, that they might <i>do no evil,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.7" parsed="|2Cor|13|7|0|0" passage="2Co 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. This is the
most desirable thing we can ask of God, both for ourselves and for
our friends, to be kept from sin, that we and they may do no evil;
and it is most needful that we often pray to God for his grace to
keep us, because without this we cannot keep ourselves. We are more
concerned to pray that we may not do evil than that we may not
suffer evil.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p9">II. The reasons why the apostle put up this
prayer to God on behalf of the Corinthians, which reasons have a
special reference to their case, and the subject-matter about which
he was writing to them. Observe, he tells them, 1. It was not so
much for his own personal reputation as for the honour of religion:
"<i>Not that we should appear approved, but that you should do that
which is honest,</i> or decent, and for the credit of religion,
though we should be reproached and vilified, and accounted as
reprobates," <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.7" parsed="|2Cor|13|7|0|0" passage="2Co 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>.
Note, (1.) The great desire of faithful ministers of the gospel is
that the gospel they preach may be honoured, however their persons
may be vilified. (2.) The best way to adorn our holy religion is
<i>to do that which is honest,</i> and of good report, to walk as
becomes the gospel of Christ. 2. Another reason was this: that they
might be free from all blame and censure when he should come to
them. This is intimated in <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.8" parsed="|2Cor|13|8|0|0" passage="2Co 13:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>, <i>We can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth.</i> If therefore they did not do evil, nor act contrary to
their profession of the gospel, the apostle had no power nor
authority to punish them. He had said before (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.10.8" parsed="|2Cor|10|8|0|0" passage="2Co 10:8"><i>ch.</i> x. 8</scripRef>) and says here (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.10" parsed="|2Cor|13|10|0|0" passage="2Co 13:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>) that the power which
the Lord had given him was to edification, not to destruction; so
that, although the apostle had great powers committed to him for
the credit and advancement of the gospel, yet he could not do
anything to the disparagement of the truth, nor the discouragement
of those who obeyed it. He could not, that is, he would not, he
dared not, he had no commission to act against the truth; and it is
remarkable how the apostle did rejoice in this blessed impotency:
"<i>We are glad,</i>" says he (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.9" parsed="|2Cor|13|9|0|0" passage="2Co 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), "<i>when we are weak and you
are strong;</i> that is, that we have no power to censure those who
are strong in faith and fruitful in good works." Some understand
this passage thus: "Though we are weak through persecutions and
contempt, we bear it patiently, and also joyfully, while we see
that you are strong, that you are prosperous in holiness, and
persevering in well-doing." For, 3. He desired their perfection
(<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.9" parsed="|2Cor|13|9|0|0" passage="2Co 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>); that is,
that they might be sincere, and aim at perfection (sincerity is our
gospel-perfection), or else he wished there might be a thorough
reformation among them. He not only desired that they might be kept
from sin, but also that they might grow in grace, and increase in
holiness, and that all that was amiss among them might be rectified
and reformed. This was the great end of his writing this epistle,
and that freedom he used with them by <i>writing these things</i>
(those friendly admonitions and warnings), <i>being absent, that
so, being present, he should not use sharpness</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.10" parsed="|2Cor|13|10|0|0" passage="2Co 13:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), that is, not proceed
to the utmost extremity in the exercise of the power which the Lord
had given him as an apostle, <i>to revenge all disobedience,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.10.6" parsed="|2Cor|10|6|0|0" passage="2Co 10:6"><i>ch.</i> x. 6</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.xiv-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.11-2Cor.13.14" parsed="|2Cor|13|11|13|14" passage="2Co 13:11-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.13.11-2Cor.13.14">
<h4 id="iiCor.xiv-p9.10">The Apostolic Benediction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.xiv-p9.11">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.xiv-p10">11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be
of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love
and peace shall be with you.   12 Greet one another with a
holy kiss.   13 All the saints salute you.   14 The grace
of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of
the Holy Ghost, <i>be</i> with you all. Amen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p11">Thus the apostle concludes this epistle
with,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p12">I. A valediction. He gives them a parting
farewell, and takes his leave of them for the present, with hearty
good wishes for their spiritual welfare. In order to this,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p13">1. He gives them several good exhortations.
(1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would
tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society.
(2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and
persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any
calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world.
(3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort;
for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall
have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was
possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this
could not be attained, yet, (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace,
that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of
affections—that they should be at peace among themselves. He would
have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should
be no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which
they should avoid <i>debates, envyings, backbitings,
whisperings,</i> and such like enemies to peace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p14">2. He encourages them with the promise of
God's presence among them: <i>The God of love and peace shall be
with you,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.11" parsed="|2Cor|13|11|0|0" passage="2Co 13:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. Note, (1.) God is the God of love and peace. He is
the author of peace, and lover of concord. He hath loved us, and is
willing to be at peace with us; he commands us to love him, and to
be reconciled to him, and also that we love one another, and be at
peace among ourselves. (2.) God will be with those who live in love
and peace. He will love those who love peace; he will dwell with
them here, and they shall dwell with him for ever. Such shall have
God's gracious presence here, and be admitted to his glorious
presence hereafter.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p15">3. He gives directions to them to salute
each other, and sends kind salutations to them from those who were
with him, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.12-2Cor.13.13" parsed="|2Cor|13|12|13|13" passage="2Co 13:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12,
13</scripRef>. He would have them testify their affection to one
another by the sacred rite of a kiss of charity, which was then
used, but has long been disused, to prevent all occasions of
wantonness and impurity, in the more declining and degenerate state
of the church.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiv-p16">II. The apostolical benediction (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.13.14" parsed="|2Cor|13|14|0|0" passage="2Co 13:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <i>The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the
Holy Ghost, be with you all.</i> Thus the apostle concludes his
epistle, and thus it is usual and proper to dismiss worshipping
assemblies. This plainly proves the doctrine of the gospel, and is
an acknowledgment that Father, Son, and Spirit, are three distinct
persons, yet but one God; and herein the same, that they are the
fountain of all blessings to men. It likewise intimates our duty,
which is to have an eye by faith to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—to
live in a continual regard to the three persons in the Trinity,
into whose name we were baptized, and in whose name we are blessed.
This is a very solemn benediction, and we should give all diligence
to inherit this blessing. The grace of Christ, the love of God, and
the communion (or communication) of the Holy Ghost: the grace of
Christ as Redeemer, the love of God who sent the Redeemer, and all
the communications of this grace and love, which come to us by the
Holy Ghost; it is the communications of the Holy Ghost that qualify
us for an interest in the grace of Christ, and the love of God: and
we can desire no more to make us happy than the grace of Christ,
the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.
<i>Amen.</i></p>
</div></div2>