mh_parser/vol_split/47 - 2Corinthians/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="iiCor.viii" n="viii" next="iiCor.ix" prev="iiCor.vii" progress="52.95%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="iiCor.viii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiCor.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCor.viii-p1">This chapter begins with an exhortation to
progressive holiness and a due regard to the ministers of the
gospel, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.1-2Cor.7.4" parsed="|2Cor|7|1|7|4" passage="2Co 7:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. Then the
apostle returns from a long digression to speak further of the
affair concerning the incestuous person, and tells them what
comfort he received in his distress about that matter, upon his
meeting with Titus (<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.5-2Cor.7.7" parsed="|2Cor|7|5|7|7" passage="2Co 7:5-7">ver.
5-7</scripRef>), and how re rejoiced in their repentance, with the
evidences thereof, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.8-2Cor.7.11" parsed="|2Cor|7|8|7|11" passage="2Co 7:8-11">ver.
8-11</scripRef>. And, lastly, he concludes with endeavouring to
comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had so good
an effect, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.12-2Cor.7.16" parsed="|2Cor|7|12|7|16" passage="2Co 7:12-16">ver.
12-16</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCor.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7" parsed="|2Cor|7|0|0|0" passage="2Co 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCor.viii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.1-2Cor.7.4" parsed="|2Cor|7|1|7|4" passage="2Co 7:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.7.1-2Cor.7.4">
<h4 id="iiCor.viii-p1.7">Progressive Holiness. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.viii-p1.8">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.viii-p2">1 Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.   2
Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we
have defrauded no man.   3 I speak not <i>this</i> to condemn
<i>you:</i> for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to
die and live with <i>you.</i>   4 Great <i>is</i> my boldness
of speech toward you, great <i>is</i> my glorying of you: I am
filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our
tribulation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p3">These verses contain a double
exhortation:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p4">I. To make a progress in holiness, or <i>to
perfect holiness in the fear of God,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.1" parsed="|2Cor|7|1|0|0" passage="2Co 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. This exhortation is given with
most tender affection to those who were dearly beloved, and
enforced by strong arguments, even the consideration of those
exceedingly great and precious promises which were mentioned in the
former chapter, and which the Corinthians had an interest in and a
title to. The promises of God are strong inducements to
sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely, 1. The dying
unto sin, or mortifying our lusts and corruptions: we must
<i>cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.</i>
Sin is filthiness, and there are defilements of body and mind.
There are sins of the flesh, that are committed with the body, and
sins of the spirit, spiritual wickednesses; and we must cleanse
ourselves from the filthiness of both, for God is to be glorified
both with body and soul. 2. The living unto righteousness and
holiness. If we hope God is our Father, we must endeavour to be
<i>partakers of his holiness,</i> to be holy as he is holy, and
perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. We must be still
perfecting holiness, and not be contented with sincerity (which is
our gospel perfection), without aiming at sinless perfection,
though we shall always come short of it while we are in this world;
and this we must do in the <i>fear of God,</i> which is the root
and principle of all religion, and there is no holiness without it.
Note, Faith and hope in the promises of God must not destroy our
fear of God, <i>who taketh pleasure in those that fear him and hope
in his mercy.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p5">II. To show a due regard to the ministers
of the gospel: <i>Receive us,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.2" parsed="|2Cor|7|2|0|0" passage="2Co 7:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Those who labour in the word and
doctrine should <i>be had in reputation,</i> and <i>be highly
esteemed for their work's sake:</i> and this would be a help to
making progress in holiness. If the ministers of the gospel are
thought contemptible because of their office, there is danger lest
the gospel itself be contemned also. The apostle did not think it
any disparagement to court the favour of the Corinthians; and,
though we must flatter none, yet we must be gentle towards all. He
tells them, 1. He had done nothing to forfeit their esteem and
good-will, but was cautious not to do any thing to deserve their
ill-will (<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.2" parsed="|2Cor|7|2|0|0" passage="2Co 7:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>):
"<i>We have wronged no man:</i> we have done you no harm, but
always designed your good." <i>I have coveted no man's silver, nor
gold, nor apparel,</i> said he to the elders of Ephesus, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.33" parsed="|Acts|20|33|0|0" passage="Ac 20:33">Acts xx. 33</scripRef>. "<i>We have corrupted no
man,</i> by false doctrines or flattering speeches. <i>We have
defrauded no man;</i> we have not sought ourselves, nor to promote
our own secular interests by crafty and greedy measures, to the
damage of any persons." This is an appeal like that of Samuel,
<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.12.1-1Sam.12.25" parsed="|1Sam|12|1|12|25" passage="1Sa 12:1-25">1 Sam. xii</scripRef>. Note, Then
may ministers the more confidently expect esteem and favour from
the people when they can safely appeal to them that they are guilty
of nothing that deserves disesteem or displeasure. 2. He did not
herein reflect upon them for want of affection to him, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.3-2Cor.7.4" parsed="|2Cor|7|3|7|4" passage="2Co 7:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. So tenderly and
cautiously did the apostle deal with the Corinthians, among whom
there were some who would be glad of any occasion to reproach him,
and prejudice the minds of others against him. To prevent any
insinuations against him on account of what he had said, as if he
intended to charge them with wronging him, or unjust accusations of
him for having wronged them, he assures them again of his great
affection to them, insomuch that he could spend his last breath at
Corinth, and <i>live and die with them,</i> if his business with
other churches, and his work as an apostle (which was not to be
confined to one place only), would permit him to do so. An he adds
it was his great affection to them that made him use such
<i>boldness</i> or freedom of <i>speech towards them,</i> and
caused him to <i>glory,</i> or make his boast of them, in all
places, and upon all occasions, being <i>filled with comfort, and
exceedingly joyful in all their tribulations.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.viii-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.5-2Cor.7.11" parsed="|2Cor|7|5|7|11" passage="2Co 7:5-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.7.5-2Cor.7.11">
<h4 id="iiCor.viii-p5.7">Various Exhortations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.viii-p5.8">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.viii-p6">5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our
flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without
<i>were</i> fightings, within <i>were</i> fears.   6
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
comforted us by the coming of Titus;   7 And not by his coming
only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you,
when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent
mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.   8 For though I
made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:
for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though
<i>it were</i> but for a season.   9 Now I rejoice, not that
ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were
made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us
in nothing.   10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world
worketh death.   11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you,
yea, <i>what</i> clearing of yourselves, yea, <i>what</i>
indignation, yea, <i>what</i> fear, yea, <i>what</i> vehement
desire, yea, <i>what</i> zeal, yea, <i>what</i> revenge! In all
<i>things</i> ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this
matter.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p7">There seems to be a connection between
<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.2.13 Bible:2Cor.7.5" parsed="|2Cor|2|13|0|0;|2Cor|7|5|0|0" passage="2Co 2:13,7:5"><i>ch.</i> ii. 13</scripRef>
(where the apostle said he had no rest in his spirit when he found
not Titus at Troas) and the <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.2.13 Bible:2Cor.7.5" parsed="|2Cor|2|13|0|0;|2Cor|7|5|0|0" passage="2Co 2:13,7:5">fifth
verse of this chapter</scripRef>: and so great was his affection to
the Corinthians, and his concern about their behaviour in relation
to the incestuous person, that, in his further travels, he still
had no rest till he heard from them. And now he tells them,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p8">I. How he was distressed, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.5" parsed="|2Cor|7|5|0|0" passage="2Co 7:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. He was troubled when he
did not meet with Titus at Troas, and afterwards when for some time
he did not meet with him in Macedonia: this was a grief to him,
because he could not hear what reception he met with at Corinth,
nor how their affairs went forward. And, besides this, they met
with other troubles, with incessant storms of persecutions; there
were <i>fightings without,</i> or continual contentions with, and
opposition from, Jews and Gentiles; and there were <i>fears
within,</i> and great concern for such as had embraced the
Christian faith, lest they should be corrupted or seduced, and give
scandal to others, or be scandalized.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p9">II. How he was comforted, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.6-2Cor.7.7" parsed="|2Cor|7|6|7|7" passage="2Co 7:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>. Here observe, 1. The
very coming of Titus was some comfort to him. It was matter of joy
to see him, whom he long desired and expected to meet with. The
very coming of Titus and his company, who was dear to him as his
<i>own son in the common faith</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Titus.1.4" parsed="|Titus|1|4|0|0" passage="Tit 1:4">Tit. i. 4</scripRef>), was a great comfort to the apostle
in his travels and troubles. But, 2. The good news which Titus
brought concerning the Corinthians was matter of greater
consolation. He found Titus to be comforted in them; and this
filled the apostle with comfort, especially when he acquainted him
with their earnest desire to give good satisfaction in the things
about which the apostle had written to them; and of their mourning
for the scandal that was found among them and the great grief they
had caused to others, and their fervent mind or great affection
towards the apostle, who had dealt so faithfully with them in
reproving their faults: so true is the observation of Solomon
(<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.28.23" parsed="|Prov|28|23|0|0" passage="Pr 28:23">Prov. xxviii. 23</scripRef>), <i>He
that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that
flattereth with his tongue.</i> 3. He ascribes all his comfort to
God as the author. It was God who comforted him by the coming of
Titus, even the God of all comfort: <i>God, who comforteth those
that are cast down,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.6" parsed="|2Cor|7|6|0|0" passage="2Co 7:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. Note, We should look above and beyond all means and
instruments, unto God, as the author of all the consolation and the
good that we enjoy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p10">III. How greatly he rejoiced at their
repentance, and the evidences thereof. The apostle was sorry that
he had grieved them, that some pious persons among them laid to
heart very greatly what he said in his former epistle, or that it
was needful he should make those sorry whom he would rather have
made glad, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.8" parsed="|2Cor|7|8|0|0" passage="2Co 7:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. But
now he rejoiced, when he found they had <i>sorrowed to
repentance,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.9" parsed="|2Cor|7|9|0|0" passage="2Co 7:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>.
Their sorrow in itself was not the cause of his rejoicing; but the
nature of it, and the effect of it (<i>repentance unto
salvation,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.10" parsed="|2Cor|7|10|0|0" passage="2Co 7:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), made him rejoice; for now it appeared that they had
received damage by him in nothing. Their sorrow was <i>but for a
season;</i> it was turned into joy, and that joy was durable.
Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p11">1. The antecedent of true repentance is
godly sorrow; this worketh repentance. It is not repentance itself,
but it is a good preparative to repentance, and in some sense the
cause that produces repentance. The offender had great sorrow, he
was in danger of being <i>swallowed up with overmuch sorrow;</i>
and the society was greatly sorrowful which before was puffed up:
and this sorrow of theirs was after a godly manner, or according to
God (as it is in the original), that is, it was according to the
will of God, tended to the glory of God, and was wrought by the
Spirit of God. It was a godly sorrow, because a sorrow for sin, as
an offence against God, an instance of ingratitude, and a
forfeiture of God's favour. There is a great difference between
this sorrow of a godly sort and the sorrow of this world. Godly
sorrow produces repentance and reformation, and will end in
salvation; but worldly sorrow worketh death. The sorrows of worldly
men for worldly things will bring down gray hairs the sooner to the
grave, and such a sorrow even for sin as Judas had will have fatal
consequences, as his had, which wrought death. Note, (1.)
Repentance will be attended with salvation. Therefore, (2.) True
penitents will never repent that they have repented, nor of any
thing that was conducive thereto. (3.) Humiliation and godly sorrow
are previously necessary in order to repentance, and both of them
are from God, the giver of all grace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p12">2. The happy fruits and consequences of
true repentance are mentioned (<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.11" parsed="|2Cor|7|11|0|0" passage="2Co 7:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); and those <i>fruits that are
meet for repentance</i> are the best evidences of it. Where the
heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed too. The
Corinthians made it evident that their sorrow was a godly sorrow,
and such as wrought repentance, because it wrought in them great
carefulness about their souls, and to avoid sin, and please God; it
wrought also a clearing of themselves, not by insisting upon their
own justification before God, especially while they persisted in
their sin, but by endeavours to put away the accursed thing, and so
free themselves from the just imputation of approving the evil that
had been done. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the
tempter and his instruments; it wrought fear, a fear of reverence,
a fear of watchfulness, and a fear of distrust, not a distrust of
God, but of themselves; an awful fear of God, a cautious fear of
sin, and a jealous fear of themselves. It wrought vehement desires
after a thorough reformation of what had been amiss, and of
reconciliation with God whom they had offended. It wrought zeal, a
mixture of love and anger, a zeal for duty, and against sin. It
wrought, lastly, revenge against sin and their own folly, by
endeavours to make all due satisfaction for injuries that might be
done thereby. And thus <i>in all things had they approved
themselves to be clear in that matter.</i> Not that they were
innocent, but that they were penitent, and therefore clear of guilt
before God, who would pardon and not punish them; and they ought no
longer to be reproved, much less to be reproached, by men, for what
they had truly repented of.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.viii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.12-2Cor.7.16" parsed="|2Cor|7|12|7|16" passage="2Co 7:12-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.7.12-2Cor.7.16">
<h4 id="iiCor.viii-p12.3">Case of Incestuous Person. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.viii-p12.4">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.viii-p13">12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, <i>I did
it</i> not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause
that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God
might appear unto you.   13 Therefore we were comforted in
your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of
Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.   14 For
if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as
we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which
<i>I made</i> before Titus, is found a truth.   15 And his
inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth
the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received
him.   16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in
all <i>things.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.viii-p14">In these verses the apostle endeavours to
comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had such
good effect. And in order thereto, 1. He tells them he had a good
design in his former epistle, which might be thought severe,
<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.12" parsed="|2Cor|7|12|0|0" passage="2Co 7:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. It was not
chiefly <i>for his cause that did the wrong,</i> not only for his
benefit, much less merely that he should be punished; nor was it
merely <i>for his cause that suffered wrong,</i> namely, the
injured father, and that he might have what satisfaction could be
given him; but it was also to manifest his great and sincere
concern and <i>care for them,</i> for the whole church, lest that
should suffer by letting such a crime, and the scandal thereof,
remain among them without due remark and resentment. 2. He
acquaints them with the joy of Titus as well as of himself upon the
account of their repentance and good behaviour. Titus was rejoiced,
and his spirit refreshed, with their comfort, and this comforted
and rejoiced the apostle also (<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.13" parsed="|2Cor|7|13|0|0" passage="2Co 7:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>); and, as Titus was comforted
while he was with them, so when he remembered his reception among
them, expressing their obedience to the apostolical directions, and
their fear and trembling at the reproofs that were given them, the
thoughts of these things inflamed and increased his affections to
them, <scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.15" parsed="|2Cor|7|15|0|0" passage="2Co 7:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Note,
Great comfort and joy follow upon godly sorrow. As sin occasions
general grief, so repentance and reformation occasion general joy.
Paul was glad, and Titus was glad, and the Corinthians were
comforted, and the penitent ought to be comforted; and well may all
this joy be on earth, when there is joy in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth. 3. He concludes this whole matter with expressing
the entire confidence he had in them: He was not ashamed of his
boasting concerning them to Titus (<scripRef id="iiCor.viii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.7.14" parsed="|2Cor|7|14|0|0" passage="2Co 7:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>); for he was not disappointed in
his expectation concerning them, which he signified to Titus, and
he could now with great joy declare what confidence he still had in
them as to all things, that he did not doubt of their good
behaviour for the time to come. Note, It is a great comfort and joy
to a faithful minister to have to do with a people whom he can
confide in, and who he has reason to hope will comply with every
thing he proposes to them that is for the glory of God, the credit
of the gospel, and their advantage.</p>
</div></div2>