1._This will be the third. _He goes on to reprove still farther the insolence of those of whom he had been speaking, some of whom living in profligacy and licentiousness, and others, carrying on contentions and strifes among themselves, cared nothing for his reproof. For his discourse did not apply... [ Continue Reading ]
2._I told you before, and foretell you. _The friendly and agreeable admonitions, that he had addressed to them so frequently, had been of no advantage. He, accordingly, betakes himself to a more severe remedy, with which he had previously threatened them in words when present with them. When we see... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Since ye seek a proof _A twofold meaning may be drawn from these words. The _first _is, “Since you wish to try me, whether I speak of myself, or whether Christ speaks by me;_” _and in this way Chrysostom, and Ambrose, explain it. I am rather inclined, however, to understand him as declaring, that... [ Continue Reading ]
4._For though he was crucified. _He speaks, with particular intention, of Christ’s abasement, with the view of intimating indirectly, (949) that nothing was despised in him, but what they would have been prepared to despise, also, in Christ himself, inasmuch as he emptied himself, even to the death... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Try yourselves. _He confirms, what he had stated previously — that Christ’s power showed itself openly in his ministry. For he makes them the judges of this matter, provided they descend, as it were, into themselves, and acknowledge what they had received from him. In the first place, as there is... [ Continue Reading ]
6._I hope that you shall know _He presses them still more urgently, while indulging this confident persuasion — that he will not be rejected by the Corinthians. One of two things was necessary — that they should either assign to Paul the honor due to an Apostle, or condemn themselves for unbelief, a... [ Continue Reading ]
7._I desire before God. _Again he _declares, _that he cares nothing for his own honor, but is simply desirous of promoting their advantage. For nothing was so undesirable for them, as to deprive themselves of advantage from his doctrine — as they had begun to do, through their pride and contempt. “A... [ Continue Reading ]
8._For we can do nothing_: That is — “I do not seek, or desire any other power, than what the Lord has conferred upon me, that I may promote the truth. To false Apostles it is all one, provided they have power; and they feel no concern to make use of their power for the promotion of what is good.” I... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For, we rejoice. _Either the causal particle γὰρ, (_for,_) must be taken as meaning — _therefore; _or it is a second reason, why he does not refuse to be regarded as a _reprobate _— for their sake, and with a view to their advantage. Let the reader select whichever he may choose, for it is of no... [ Continue Reading ]
10._According to the power _In the _first _place, he arms the strictness of which he speaks, with the authority of God, that it may not appear to be thunder without lightning, or a rashly excited onset. (970) Farther, he lets them know, that he would rather employ his power to another purpose, for w... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Finally, brethren _He qualifies whatever there has been of sharpness throughout the whole of the epistle, as he did not wish to leave their minds in an exasperated state, (971) but rather to soothe them. For _then _only are reproofs beneficial, when they are in a manner seasoned with honey, that... [ Continue Reading ]
14._The grace of the Lord Jesus. _He closes the Epistle with a prayer, which contains three clauses, in which the sum of our salvation consists. In the _first _place, he desires for them the _grace of Christ; secondly, _the _love of God; _and, _thirdly, _the _communion of the Spirit _The term _grace... [ Continue Reading ]