mh_parser/vol_split/47 - 2Corinthians/Chapter 6.xml

<div2 id="iiCor.vii" n="vii" next="iiCor.viii" prev="iiCor.vi" progress="52.71%" title="Chapter VI">
<h2 id="iiCor.vii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiCor.vii-p0.2">CHAP. VI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCor.vii-p1">In this chapter the apostle gives an account of
his general errand to all to whom he preached; with the several
arguments and methods he used, <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.1-2Cor.6.10" parsed="|2Cor|6|1|6|10" passage="2Co 6:1-10">ver.
1-10</scripRef>. Then he addresses himself particularly to the
Corinthians, giving them good cautions with great affection and
strong arguments, <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.11-2Cor.6.18" parsed="|2Cor|6|11|6|18" passage="2Co 6:11-18">ver.
11-18</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCor.vii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6" parsed="|2Cor|6|0|0|0" passage="2Co 6" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCor.vii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.1-2Cor.6.10" parsed="|2Cor|6|1|6|10" passage="2Co 6:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.6.1-2Cor.6.10">
<h4 id="iiCor.vii-p1.5">Ministry of the Apostles. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.vii-p1.6">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.vii-p2">1 We then, <i>as</i> workers together <i>with
him,</i> beseech <i>you</i> also that ye receive not the grace of
God in vain.   2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time
accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:
behold, now <i>is</i> the accepted time; behold, now <i>is</i> the
day of salvation.)   3 Giving no offence in any thing, that
the ministry be not blamed:   4 But in all <i>things</i>
approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in
afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,   5 In stripes, in
imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
  6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,   7 By the word of
truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the
right hand and on the left,   8 By honour and dishonour, by
evil report and good report: as deceivers, and <i>yet</i> true;
  9 As unknown, and <i>yet</i> well known; as dying, and,
behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;   10 As
sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as
having nothing, and <i>yet</i> possessing all things.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p3">In these verses we have an account of the
apostle's general errand and exhortation to all to whom he preached
in every place where he came, with the several arguments and
methods he used. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p4">I. The errand or exhortation itself,
namely, to comply with the gospel offers of reconciliation—that,
being favoured with the gospel, they would not receive this
<i>grace of God in vain,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.1" parsed="|2Cor|6|1|0|0" passage="2Co 6:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears;
but it will be in vain for us to hear it, unless we believe it, and
comply with the end and design of it. And as it is the duty of the
ministers of the gospel to exhort and persuade their hearers to
accept of grace and mercy which are offered to them, so they are
honoured with this high title of <i>co-workers with</i> God. Note,
1. They must work; and must work for God and his glory, for souls
and their good: and they are workers with God, yet under him, as
instruments only; however, if they be faithful, they may hope to
find God working with them, and their labour will be effectual. 2.
Observe the language and way of the spirit of the gospel: it is not
with roughness and severity, but with all mildness and gentleness,
to beseech and entreat, to use exhortations and arguments, in order
to prevail with sinners and overcome their natural unwillingness to
be reconciled to God and to be happy for ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p5">II. The arguments and method which the
apostle used. And here he tells them,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p6">1. The present time is the only proper
season to accept of the grace that is offered, and improve that
grace which is afforded: <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.vii-p6.1">Now</span> <i>is
the accepted time,</i> <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.vii-p6.2">now</span> <i>is the
day of salvation,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.2" parsed="|2Cor|6|2|0|0" passage="2Co 6:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of
grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers
of salvation, and the present time the only proper time to accept
of these offers: <i>To-day, while it is called to-day.</i> The
morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor
where we shall be; and we should remember that present seasons of
grace are short and uncertain, and cannot be recalled when they are
past. It is therefore our duty and interest to improve them while
we have them, and no less than our salvation depends upon our so
doing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p7">2. What caution they used not to give
offence that might hinder the success of their preaching: <i>Giving
no offence in any thing,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.3" parsed="|2Cor|6|3|0|0" passage="2Co 6:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. The apostle had great difficulty to behave prudently
and inoffensively towards the Jews and Gentiles, for many of both
sorts watched for his halting, and sought occasion to blame him and
his ministry, or his conversation; therefore he was very cautious
not to give offence to those who were so apt to take offence, that
he might not offend the Jews by unnecessary zeal against the law,
nor the Gentiles by unnecessary compliances with such as were
zealous for the law. He was careful, in all his words and actions,
not to give offence, or occasion of guilt or grief. Note, When
others are too apt to take offence, we should be cautious lest we
give offence; and ministers especially should be careful lest they
do any thing that may bring blame on their ministry or render that
unsuccessful.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p8">3. Their constant aim and endeavor in all
things to approve themselves faithful, as became the ministers of
God, <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.4" parsed="|2Cor|6|4|0|0" passage="2Co 6:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. We see how
much stress the apostle upon all occasions lays on fidelity in our
work, because much of our success depends upon that. His eye was
single, and his heart upright, in all his ministrations; and his
great desire was to be the servant of God, and to approve himself
so. Note, Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as
God's servants or ministers, and act in every thing suitably to
that character. So did the apostle, (1.) By much patience in
afflictions. He was a great sufferer, and met with many
afflictions, was often in necessities, and wanted the conveniences,
if not the necessaries, of life; in distresses, being straitened on
every side, hardly knowing what to do; in stripes often (<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.11.24" parsed="|2Cor|11|24|0|0" passage="2Co 11:24"><i>ch.</i> xi. 24</scripRef>); in
imprisonments; in tumults raised by the Jews and Gentiles against
him; in labours, not only in preaching the gospel, but in
travelling from place to place for that end, and working with his
hands to supply his necessities; in watchings and in fastings,
either voluntary or upon a religious account, or involuntary for
the sake of religion: but he exercised much patience in all,
<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.4-2Cor.6.5" parsed="|2Cor|6|4|6|5" passage="2Co 6:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. Note, [1.]
It is the lot of faithful ministers often to be reduced to great
difficulties, and to stand in need of much patience. [2.] Those who
would approve themselves to God must approve themselves faithful in
trouble as well as in peace, not only in doing the work of God
diligently, but also in bearing the will of God patiently. (2.) By
acting from good principles. The apostle went by a good principle
in all he did, and tells them what his principles were (<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.6-2Cor.6.7" parsed="|2Cor|6|6|6|7" passage="2Co 6:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>); namely, pureness;
and there is no piety without purity. A care to keep ourselves
unspotted from the world is necessary in order to our acceptance
with God. Knowledge was another principle; and zeal without this is
but madness. He also acted with <i>long-suffering and kindness,</i>
being not easily provoked, but bearing with the hardness of men's
hearts, and hard treatment from their hands, to whom he kindly
endeavoured to do good. He acted under the influence of the Holy
Ghost, from the noble principle of unfeigned love, according to the
rule of the word of truth, under the supports and assistances of
the power of God, having on the armour of righteousness (a
consciousness of universal righteousness and holiness), which is
the best defence against the temptations of prosperity on the right
hand, and of adversity on the left. (3.) By a due temper and
behaviour under all the variety of conditions in this world,
<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.8-2Cor.6.10" parsed="|2Cor|6|8|6|10" passage="2Co 6:8-10"><i>v.</i> 8-10</scripRef>. We must
expect to meet with many alterations of our circumstances and
conditions in this world; and it will be a great evidence of our
integrity if we preserve a right temper of mind, and duly behave
ourselves, under them all. The apostles met with honour and
dishonour, good report and evil report: good men in this world must
expect to meet with some dishonour and reproaches, to balance their
honour and esteem; and we stand in need of the grace of God to arm
us against the temptations of honour on the one hand, so as to bear
good report without pride, and of dishonour on the other hand, so
as to bear reproaches without impatience or recrimination. It
should seem that persons differently represented the apostles in
their reports; that some represented them as the best, and others
as the worst, of men: by some they were counted deceivers, and run
down as such; by others as true, preaching the gospel of truth, and
men who were true to the trust reposed in them. They were slighted
by the men of the world as unknown, men of no figure or account,
not worth taking notice of; yet in all the churches of Christ they
were well known, and of great account: they were looked upon as
dying, being killed all the day long, and their interest was
thought to be a dying interest; "and yet behold," says the apostle,
"we live, and live comfortably, and bear up cheerfully under all
our hardships, and go on conquering and to conquer." They were
chastened, and often fell under the lash of the law, yet not
killed: and though it was thought that they were sorrowful, a
company of mopish and melancholy men, always sighing and mourning,
yet they were always rejoicing in God, and had the greatest reason
to rejoice always. They were despised as poor, upon the account of
their poverty in this world; and yet they made many rich, by
preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. They were thought to
have nothing, and silver and gold they had none, houses and lands
they had none; yet they possessed all things: they had nothing in
this world, but they had a treasure in heaven. Their effects lay in
another country, in another world. They had nothing in themselves,
but possessed all things in Christ. Such a paradox is a Christian's
life, and through such a variety of conditions and reports lies our
way to heaven; and we should be careful in all these things to
approve ourselves to God.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.vii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.11-2Cor.6.18" parsed="|2Cor|6|11|6|18" passage="2Co 6:11-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.6.11-2Cor.6.18">
<h4 id="iiCor.vii-p8.7">Cautions against Mingling with
Unbelievers. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.vii-p8.8">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.vii-p9">11 O <i>ye</i> Corinthians, our mouth is open
unto you, our heart is enlarged.   12 Ye are not straitened in
us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.   13 Now for a
recompence in the same, (I speak as unto <i>my</i> children,) be ye
also enlarged.   14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
  15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part
hath he that believeth with an infidel?   16 And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple
of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk
in <i>them;</i> and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people.   17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean <i>thing;</i>
and I will receive you,   18 And will be a Father unto you,
and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p10">The apostle proceeds to address himself
more particularly to the Corinthians, and cautions them against
mingling with unbelievers. Here observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p11">I. How the caution is introduced with a
profession, in a very pathetic manner, of the most tender affection
to them, <i>even like that of a father to his children,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.11-2Cor.6.13" parsed="|2Cor|6|11|6|13" passage="2Co 6:11-13"><i>v.</i> 11-13</scripRef>. Though
the apostle was happy in a great fluency of expressions, yet he
seemed to want words to express the warm affections he had for
these Corinthians. As if he had said, "O ye Corinthians, to whom I
am now writing, I would fain convince you how well I love you: we
are desirous to promote the spiritual and eternal welfare of all to
whom we preach, yet <i>our mouth is open unto you, and our heart is
enlarged unto</i> you, in a special manner." And, because his heart
was thus enlarged with love to them, therefore he opened his mouth
so freely to them in kind admonitions and exhortations: "<i>You are
not,</i>" says he, "<i>straitened in us;</i> we would gladly do you
all the service we can, and promote your comfort, as helpers of
your faith and your joy; and, if it be otherwise, the fault is in
yourselves; it is because you are straitened in yourselves, and
fail in suitable returns to us, through some misapprehensions
concerning us; and all we desire as a recompense is only that you
would be proportionably affected towards us, as children should
love their father." Note, It is desirable that there should be a
mutual good affection between ministers and their people, and this
would greatly tend to their mutual comfort and advantage.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p12">II. The caution or exhortation itself, not
to mingle with unbelievers, not to be <i>unequally yoked</i> with
them, <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.14" parsed="|2Cor|6|14|0|0" passage="2Co 6:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>.
Either,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p13">1. In stated relations. It is wrong for
good people to join in affinity with the wicked and profane; these
will draw different ways, and that will be galling and grievous.
Those relations that are our choice must be chosen by rule; and it
is good for those who are themselves the children of God to join
with those who are so likewise; for there is more danger that the
bad will damage the good than hope that the good will benefit the
bad.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p14">2. In common conversation. We should not
yoke ourselves in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and
unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing, and hearing, and
being with such, yet we should never choose them for our
bosom-friends.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.vii-p15">3. Much less should we join in religious
communion with them; we must not join with them in their idolatrous
services, nor concur with them in their false worship, nor any
abominations; we must not confound together the table of the Lord
and the table of devils, the house of God and the house of Rimmon.
The apostle gives several good reasons against this corrupt
mixture. (1.) It is a very great absurdity, <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.14-2Cor.6.15" parsed="|2Cor|6|14|6|15" passage="2Co 6:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. It is an unequal yoking
of things together that will not agree together; as bad as for the
Jews to have ploughed with an ox and an ass or to have sown divers
sorts of grain intermixed. What an absurdity is it to think of
joining righteousness and unrighteousness, or mingling light and
darkness, fire and water, together! Believers are, and should be,
righteous; but unbelievers are unrighteous. Believers are made
light in the Lord, but unbelievers are in darkness; and what
comfortable communion can these have together? Christ and Belial
are contrary one to the other; they have opposite interests and
designs, so that it is impossible there should be any concord or
agreement between them. It is absurd, therefore, to think of
enlisting under both; and, if the believer has part with an
infidel, he does what in him lies to bring Christ and Belial
together. (2.) It is a dishonour to the Christian's profession
(<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.16" parsed="|2Cor|6|16|0|0" passage="2Co 6:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>); for
Christians are by profession, and should be in reality, the
<i>temples of the living God</i>—dedicated to, and employed for,
the service of God, who has promised to reside in them, <i>to dwell
and walk in them,</i> to stand in a special relation to them, and
take a special care of them, that he will be their God and they
shall be his people. Now there can be no agreement between <i>the
temple of God and idols.</i> Idols are rivals with God for his
honour, and God is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to
another. (3.) There is a great deal of danger in communicating with
unbelievers and idolators, danger of being defiled and of being
rejected; therefore the exhortation is (<scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.17" parsed="|2Cor|6|17|0|0" passage="2Co 6:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>) <i>to come out from among
them,</i> and keep at a due distance, <i>to be separate,</i> as one
would avoid the society of those who have the leprosy or the
plague, for fear of taking infection, and not <i>to touch the
unclean thing,</i> lest we be defiled. Who can touch pitch, and not
be defiled by it? We must take care not to defile ourselves by
converse with those who defile themselves with sin; so is the will
of God, as we ever hope to be received, and not rejected, by him.
(4.) It is base ingratitude to God for all the favours he has
bestowed upon believers and promised to them, <scripRef id="iiCor.vii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.6.18" parsed="|2Cor|6|18|0|0" passage="2Co 6:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. God has promised to be a Father
to them, and that they shall be his sons and his daughters; and is
there a greater honour or happiness than this? How ungrateful a
thing then must it be if those who have this dignity and felicity
should degrade and debase themselves by mingling with unbelievers!
<i>Do we thus requite the Lord, O foolish and unwise?</i></p>
</div></div2>