This closing chapter 2 Corinthians 13:1 of the Epistle relates to the following subjects. I. The assurance of Paul that he was about to come among them 2 Corinthians 13:1, and that he would certainly inflict punishment on all who deserved His enemies had reproached him as being timid and pusillanimo... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME ... - see the note on 2 Corinthians 12:14. For an interesting view of this passage, see Paley’s Horae Paulinae on this Epistle, No. 11: It is evident that Paul had been to Corinth but once before this, but he had resolved to go before a second time, but had been disappointed.... [ Continue Reading ]
I TOLD YOU BEFORE - That I would not spare offenders; that I would certainly punish them. He had intimated this before in the First Epistle 1Co 4:21; 1 Corinthians 5:1. AND FORETELL YOU - Now apprise you of my fixed determination to punish every offender as he deserves. AS IF I WERE PRESENT, THE SE... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME - see the notes on the previous chapters. They had called in question his apostolic authority; they had demanded the evidence of his divine commission. He says that he would now furnish such evidence by inflicting just punishment on all offenders, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH HE WAS CRUCIFIED THROUGH WEAKNESS - Various modes have been adopted of explaining the phrase “through weakness.” The most probable explanation is that which refers it to the human nature which he had assumed Philippians 2:7; 1 Peter 3:18, and to the appearance of weakness which he manifes... [ Continue Reading ]
EXAMINE YOURSELVES - see the note on 1 Corinthians 11:28. The particular reason why Paul calls on them to examine themselves was, that there was occasion to fear that many of them had been deceived. Such had been the irregularities and disorders in the church at Corinth; so ignorant had many of them... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I TRUST ... - The sense of this verse is,” Whatever may be the result of your examination of yourselves, I trust (Greek I hope) you will not find us false and to be rejected; that is, I trust you will find in me evidence that I am commissioned by the Lord Jesus to be his apostle.” The idea is, t... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I PRAY TO GOD THAT YE DO NO EVIL - I earnestly desire that you may do right, and only right; and I beseech God that it may be so, whatever may be the result in regard to me, and whatever may be thought of my claims to the apostolic office. This is designed to mitigate the apparent severity of th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE - That is, we the apostles. CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH ... - That is, we who are under the influence of the Spirit of God; who have been commissioned by him as apostles, can do nothing that shall be against the great system of truth which we are appointed to promulgate and defend. You n... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE ARE GLAD WHEN WE ARE WEAK ... - We rejoice in your welfare, and are willing to submit to self-denial and to infirmity if it may promote your spiritual strength. In the connection in which this stands it seems to mean, “I am content to appear weak, provided you do no wrong; I am willing not to... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I WRITE THESE THINGS ... - This is a kind of apology for what he had said, and especially for the apparently harsh language which he had felt himself constrained to use. He had reproved them; he had admonished them of their faults; he had threatened punishment, all of which was designed to... [ Continue Reading ]
FINALLY, BRETHREN - (λοιπὸν loipon). The remainder; all that remains is for me to bid you an affectionate farewell. The word here rendered “farewell” (χαίρετε chairete), means usually to joy and rejoice, or to be glad; Luke 1:14; John 16:20, John 16:22; and it is often used in the sense of “joy to... [ Continue Reading ]
GREET - Salute; see the note, Romans 16:3. WITH AN HOLY KISS - note, Romans 16:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE SAINTS SALUTE YOU - That is, all who were with Paul, or in the place where he was. The Epistle was written from Macedonia, probably from Philippi. See the introduction, section 3.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - see the note, Romans 16:20. This verse contains what is usually called the apostolic benediction - the form which has been so long, and which is almost so universally used, in dismissing religious assemblies. It is properly a prayer, and it is evident that the op... [ Continue Reading ]