1-6. The messengers of this gospel are not afraid to proclaim it, for they preach Christ, who has revealed the glory of God. 1, 2. PARAPHRASE. 'Having this glorious gospel to preach, we proclaim it boldly. (2) We have nothing to do with methods and practices which cannot bear the light (like those... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WE HAVE RECEIVED MERCY] in his conversion from the blindness of Judaism.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DISHONESTY] i.e. the disgraceful methods of gaining adherents used by the false teachers: see on 2 Corinthians 2:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE LOST] RV 'are perishing.' If some will not let the light of the gospel shine into their hearts, it is their own fault.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'If our gospel is not understood by any, it is only by those (4) whose minds are dulled by sin. (5) For the subject of our preaching is not ourselves, but Christ. (6) As God at first created light, so has He created spiritual light in our hearts, that we might reflect His light, even the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD OF THIS WORLD] cp. John 12:31; John 14:30. Worldly men make the devil their god by serving him, and thus serving him become even more worldly. LEST THE LIGHT, etc.] For the thought, cp. Matthew 13:13. IMAGE OF GOD] Christ is the expression of God's character of love and holiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT OURSELVES] as do the false teachers. FOR JESUS' SAKE] Love to Jesus is his motive in seeking to serve the Corinthians.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD.. HATH SHINED] RV 'Seeing it is God that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts.' The reference is to Genesis 1:3. He who gave natural light gave also spiritual light. _(III) 4:7-5:10. THE SOURCES OF THE APOSTLE'S COMFORT IN THE MINISTRY, AND THE HOPES THAT GIVE H... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS TREASURE] i.e. the work of the ministry. IN EARTHEN VESSELS] i.e. in a weakly body. Herodotus tells us that Darius Hystaspis melted his gold into earthen pots, which could be broken when it was wanted.... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are_ TROUBLED, etc.] Images are heaped one upon another in picturesque accumulation to express the fact that, in spite of many great trials (cp. 2 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Corinthians 12:10), the Apostle has grace given him to persevere.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEARING ABOUT, etc.] He 'dies daily,' he 'stands in jeopardy every hour' (1 Corinthians 15:30) for Christ's cause, and thus he has learnt 'the fellowship of his sufferings' (Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24). IN THE BODY] cp. 2 Corinthians 1:5; Galatians 6:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'In suffering for Christ's sake we are drawn into close communion with Him who suffered and died on our behalf; and thus sharing His experience and “having this mind in us which was also in Him,” we are enabled to show forth in our life the power of Christ, whose indwelling influence giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Explaining and emphasising 2 Corinthians 4:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
The reference is to Psalms 116:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. '(13) Our faith is like that of the Psalmist, who spoke out of the depths of his inward conviction, and we speak what we verily believe. (14) For we are confident that God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead will raise us also and unite us with you in the blessings of the resurrectio... [ Continue Reading ]
BY JESUS] RV 'with Jesus.'... [ Continue Reading ]
The AV is here inaccurate. RV 'For all things are for your sakes, that the grace being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.' 16-18. St. Paul goes on to speak of the things that comfort him in the presence of his trials. These are the strengthening... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH OUR OUTWARD MAN PERISH, etc.] These afflictions may weaken the body, but through them the spirit is strengthened. Experience shows us the truth of this in many cases; e.g. bodily weakness often produces beauty of character, and grey hairs bring wisdom: cp. for the thought, John 15:2; Hebrews... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION, etc.] The affliction is light, and vastly outweighed by the glory which it helps to secure; seen in its true perspective, too, it is but momentary, while the glory is eternal.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE LOOK NOT] If we look at these afflictions they will loom so large in our view as to shut out the prospect beyond; therefore we look past them. THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN] the material, including these afflictions. THE THINGS.. NOT SEEN] the spiritual, including the results of these afflictions in... [ Continue Reading ]