This chapter 2 Corinthians 6, closely connected in sense with the preceding, is designed as an address to the Corinthian Christians, exhorting them to act worthily of their calling, and of their situation under such a ministry as they had enjoyed. In the previous chapters, Paul had discoursed at len... [ Continue Reading ]
WE THEN, AS WORKERS TOGETHER WITH HIM - On the meaning of this expression, see the note, 1 Corinthians 3:9. The Greek here is (συνεργοῦντες sunergountes) “working together,” and may mean either that the apostles and ministers to whom Paul refers were joint-laborers in entreating them not to receive... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SAITH - see Isaiah 49:8. In that passage the declaration refers to the Messiah, and the design is there to show that God would be favorable to him; that he would hear him when he prayed, and would make him the medium of establishing a covenant with his own people, and of spreading the true re... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVING NO OFFENCE IN ANYTHING - We the ministers of God, 2 Corinthians 6:1. The word rendered “offence” means, properly, stumbling; then offence, or cause of offence, a falling into sin. The meaning here is, “giving no occasion for contemning or rejecting the gospel;” and the idea of Paul is, that h... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IN ALL THINGS - In every respect. In all that we do. In every way, both by words and deeds. How this was done, Paul proceeds to state in the following verses. APPROVING OURSELVES AS THE MINISTERS OF GOD - Margin, “Commending.” Tyndale renders it, “In all things let us behave ourselves as the mi... [ Continue Reading ]
IN STRIPES - In this verse, Paul proceeds to specifications of what he had been called to endure. In the previous verse, he had spoken of his afflictions in general terms. In this expression, he refers to the fact that he and his fellow-laborers were scourged in the synagogues and cities as if they... [ Continue Reading ]
BY PURENESS - Paul, having in the previous verses, grouped together some of the sufferings which he endured and by which he had endeavored to commend and extend the true religion, proceeds here to group together certain other influences by which he had sought the same object. The substance of what h... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE WORD OF TRUTH - That is, by making known the truths of the gospel. It was his object to make known the simple truth. He did not corrupt it by false mixtures of philosophy and human wisdom, but communicated it as it had been revealed to him. The object of the appointment of the Christian minis... [ Continue Reading ]
BY HONOR AND DISHONOR - The apostle is still illustrating the proposition that he and his fellow-laborers endeavored to give no offence 2 Corinthians 6:3, and to commend themselves as the ministers of God, 2 Corinthians 6:4. He here 2 Corinthians 6:8 introduces another group of particulars in which... [ Continue Reading ]
AS UNKNOWN - As those who are deemed to be of an obscure and ignoble rank in life, unknown to the great, unknown to fame. The idea, I think, is, that they went as strangers, as persons unknown, in preaching the gospel. Yet, though thus unknown they endeavor to commend themselves as the ministers of... [ Continue Reading ]
AS SORROWFUL - (λυπούμενοι lupoumenoi). Grieving, afflicted, troubled, sad. Under these sufferings we seem always to be cast down and sad. We endure afflictions that usually lead to the deepest expressions of grief. If the world looks only upon our trials, we must be regarded as always suffering, a... [ Continue Reading ]
O YE CORINTHIANS, OUR MOUTH IS OPEN UNTO YOU - We speak freely, and fully. This is an affectionate address to them, and has reference to what he had just said. It means that, when the heart was full on the subject, words would flow freely, and that he had given vent to the fervid language which he h... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE NOT STRAITENED IN US - That is, you do not possess a narrow or contracted place in our affections. We love you fully, ardently, and are ready to do all that can be done for your welfare. There is no lack of room in our affections toward you. It is not narrow, confined, pent up. It is ample an... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW FOR A RECOMPENCE IN THE SAME - “By way of recompence, open your hearts in the same manner toward me as I have done toward you. It is all the reward or compensation which I ask of you; all the return which I desire. I do not ask silver or gold, or any earthly possessions. I ask only a return of l... [ Continue Reading ]
BE YE NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS - This is closely connected in sense with the previous verse. The apostle is there stating the nature of the remuneration or recompence which he asks for all the love which he had shown to them. He here says, that one mode of remuneration would be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHAT CONCORD - (συμφώνησις sumphōnēsis). Sympathy, unison. This word refers properly to the unison or harmony produced by musical instruments, where there is a chord. What accordance, what unison is there; what strings are there which being struck will produce a chord or harmony? The idea is,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHAT AGREEMENT - (συγκατάθεσις sugkatathesis). Assent, accord, agreement. what putting or laying down together is there? What is there in one that resembles the other? THE TEMPLE OF GOD - What has a temple of God to do with idol worship? It is erected for a different purpose, and the worship o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - Since you are a special people. Since God, the holy and blessed God, dwells with you and among you. COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM - That is, from among idolaters and unbelievers; from a frivolous and vicious world. These words are taken, by a slight change, from Isaiah 3:11. They are there a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU - A father is the protector, counselor, and guide of his children. He instructs them, provides for them, and counsels them in time of perplexity. No relation is more tender than this. In accordance with this, God says, that he will be to his people their protector, coun... [ Continue Reading ]