_Therefore, seeing we have this ministry_ Spoken of from 2Co 4:6-11 of the preceding chapter, with which this is closely connected; a ministry so superior to that wherewith Moses was intrusted; _as we have received mercy_ To be accounted faithful; as God has in mercy accepted us as his servants, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if our gospel also_, (so it is in the original,) _be hid_ Κεκαλυμμενον, _veiled_, as well as the law of Moses; _it is veiled to them that are lost_ Εν τοις απολλυμενοις, _in those that are perishing_, namely, in a state of ignorance and unbelief; of guilt, depravity, weakness, and wretchedness.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For_, &c. As if he had said, The cause of their continuing in unbelief, and perishing, is not in us, nor in the doctrine they hear from us; for _we preach not ourselves_ As able either to enlighten, or pardon, or sanctify mankind; _but Christ Jesus the Lord_ Their only infallible Teacher, all-suffi... [ Continue Reading ]
_But we_ The apostles, and all other ministers of Christ, yea, and all true believers; _have this treasure_ Of the gospel, or of the truth and grace of God; _in earthen vessels_ In frail, feeble, perishing bodies, formed out of the dust of the earth, and, because of sin, returning to it; mean, vile,... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are troubled_ The four articles in this verse respect inward, the four in the next outward afflictions. In each clause the former part shows the earthen vessels; the latter, the excellence of the power. _Yet not distressed_ Στενοχωρουμενοι, _pressed into a strait place_, so as to find no way of... [ Continue Reading ]
_We having the same spirit_ Which you have, because we have the same faith: or, we have the same spirit of faith which animated the saints of old, David in particular, when he said, _I believed, and therefore have I spoken_ That is, I trusted in God, and therefore he has put this song of praise in m... [ Continue Reading ]
_For which cause_ Because of which abounding grace that supports us; _we faint not_ Under any of our present pressures; _but though our outward man_ The body; _perish_ Be worn out and brought to dust prematurely, by our continual labours and sufferings; our _inward man_ The soul; _is renewed day by... [ Continue Reading ]
_While we look_ That is, this weight of glory will be wrought out for us while we look, or provided we look, namely, by faith and expectation; _not at the things which are seen_ Men, money, honour, pleasure, the things of earth; for to look at these will only render us more earthly and carnal, more... [ Continue Reading ]