As, in the event of the Corinthians retaining any feeling of offense, occasioned by the severity of the preceding Epistle, that might stand in the way of Paul’s authority having influence over them, he has hitherto made it his endeavor to conciliate their affections. Now, after clearing away all occ... [ Continue Reading ]
2._In much trial _— In other words, while they were tried with adversity, they, nevertheless, did not cease to rejoice in the Lord: nay, this disposition rose so high, as to swallow up sorrow; for the minds of the Macedonians, which must otherwise have been straitened, required to be set free from t... [ Continue Reading ]
3._To their power, and even beyond their power. _When he says that they were _willing of themselves, _he means that they were, of their own accord, so well prepared for the duty, that they needed no exhortation. It was a great thing — to strive up to the measure of their ability; and hence, to exert... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Beseeching us with much entreaty. _He enlarges upon their promptitude, inasmuch as they did not only not wait for any one to admonish them, but even _besought _those, by whom they would have been admonished, had they not anticipated the desires of all by their activity. (666) We must again repeat... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And not as _He expected from them an ordinary degree of willingness, such as any Christian should manifest; but they went beyond his expectation, inasmuch as they not only had their worldly substance in readiness, but were prepared to devote even _themselves. They gave themselves, _says he, _firs... [ Continue Reading ]
6._That we should exhort Titus. _Now this is an exhortation that is of greater force, when they learn that they are expressly summoned to duty. (667) Nor was it offensive to the Macedonians, that he was desirous to have the Corinthians as partners in beneficence. In the mean time an apology is made... [ Continue Reading ]
7._But as _He had already been very careful to avoid giving offense, inasmuch as he said, that Titus had entreated them, not so much from his own inclination, as in consideration of the charge given him by the Macedonians. Now, however, he goes a step farther, by admonishing them, that they must not... [ Continue Reading ]
8._I speak not according to commandment _Again he qualifies his exhortation, by declaring that he did not at all intend to compel them, as if he were imposing any necessity upon them, for that is to _speak according to commandment, _when we enjoin any thing definite, and peremptorily require that it... [ Continue Reading ]
9._For ye know the grace. _Having made mention of love, he adduces Christ as an all perfect and singular pattern of it. “Though he was rich,” says he, “he resigned the possession of all blessings, that he might enrich us by his poverty.” He does not afterwards state for what purpose he makes mention... [ Continue Reading ]
10._And in this I give my advice. _The _advice _he places in contrast with the _commandment _of which he had spoken a little before. (2 Corinthians 8:8.) “I merely point out what is expedient in the way of _advising _or _admonishing.” _Now this _advantage _is not perceived by the judgment of the fle... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Now what ye have begun to do. _It is probable, that the ardor of the Corinthians had quickly cooled down: otherwise they would, without any delay, have prosecuted their purpose. The Apostle, however, as though no fault had as yet been committed, gently admonishes them to complete, what had been... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Not that others. _This is a confirmation of the preceding statement — that a readiness of will is well-pleasing to God alike in poverty and in wealth, inasmuch as God does not mean that we should be reduced to straits, in order that others may be at ease through our liberality. True, indeed, it... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And their abundance _It is uncertain, what sort of _abundance _he means. Some interpret it as meaning, that this had been the case, inasmuch as the Gospel had flowed out to them from the Church at Jerusalem, from which source they had, in their penury, been assisted by their spiritual riches. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
15._As it is written. _The passage, that Paul quotes, refers to the manna, but let us hear what the Lord says by Moses. He would have this to serve as a never-failing proof, that men do not live by bread alone, but are Divinely supported, by the secret influence of _His _will, who maintains and pres... [ Continue Reading ]
16._But thanks be to God who hath put. _That he may leave the Corinthians without excuse, he now at length adds, that there had been provided for them active prompters, who would attend to the matter. And, in the first place, he names Titus, who, he says, had been divinely raised up. This was of gre... [ Continue Reading ]
_His receiving the exhortation _means that he had undertaken this business, (687) from being exhorted to it by Paul. He afterwards corrects this by saying, that Titus had not been so much influenced by the advice of others, as he had felt stirred up of his own accord, in accordance with his active d... [ Continue Reading ]
18._We have sent with him the brother. _The circumstance that _three _persons are sent, is an evidence, that great expectations were entertained respecting the Corinthians, and it became them to be so much the more attentive to duty, that they might not disappoint the hopes of the Churches. It is un... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Which is administered by us. _By commending his ministry, he still farther encourages the Corinthians. He says, that it tends to promote the glory of God, and their kindness of disposition. Hence it comes, that these two things are conjoined — the glory of God and their liberality, and that the... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Avoiding this, _(694) _that no one _Lest any one should think, that the Churches had an unfavorable opinion of Paul, as if it had been from distrusting his integrity that they had associated partners with him, as persons that are suspected are wont to have guards set over them, he declares that... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Providing things honest _I am of opinion, that there were not wanting, even among the Corinthians, some who would have proceeded so far as to revile, if occasion had been allowed them. Hence he wished them to know the state of matters, that he might shut the mouths of all everywhere. Accordingly... [ Continue Reading ]
22._On account of the great confidence. _The meaning is, “I am not afraid of their coming to you proving vain and fruitless; for I have felt beforehand an assured confidence, that their embassy will have a happy issue; I am so well aware of their fidelity and diligence.” He says that the brother, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
In calling them the _Apostles of the Churches, _he might be understood in _two _senses — either as meaning that they had been set apart by God as _Apostles to the Churches, _or that they had been appointed by the Churches to undertake that office. The _second _of these is the more suitable. They are... [ Continue Reading ]
He mentions two things in the close: “See that our brethren behold your love,” and secondly, “Take care, that it be not in vain that I have boasted of you.” For αὐτούς (_to them_,) appears to me to be equivalent to _coram ipsis _ _, _(_before them,_) for this clause does not refer to the poor, but t... [ Continue Reading ]