CHAPTER V. _The apostle's strong hope of eternal glory, and earnest_ _longings after that state of blessedness_, 1-4. _The assurance that he had of it from the Holy Spirit, and his_ _carefulness to be always found pleasing to the Lord_, 5-9. _All must appear before the judgment seat of Christ_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:2. _FOR IN THIS WE GROAN_] While in this _state_, and in this _body_, we are encompassed with many infirmities, and exposed to many trials, so that life is a state of discipline and affliction, and every thing within and around us says, "Arise and depart, for this is not your r... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:3. _IF SO BE THAT BEING CLOTHED_] That is, _fully prepared_ in this life for the glory of God; _WE SHALL NOT BE FOUND NAKED._] Destitute in that future state of that Divine image which shall render us capable of enjoying an endless glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:4. _FOR WE THAT ARE IN_ THIS _TABERNACLE_] We who are in this _state_ of trial and difficulty _do groan, being burdened_; as if he had said: The whole of human life is a state of suffering, and especially _our lot_; who are _troubled on every side, perplexed,_ _persecuted, cast... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:5. _NOW HE THAT HATH WROUGHT US FOR THE SELFSAME THING_] God has given us our _being_ and our _body_ for this very purpose, that both might be made immortal, and both be glorified together. Or, God himself has given us this _insatiable hungering_ and _thirsting_ after _righteou... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:6. _WE ARE ALWAYS CONFIDENT_] θαρρουντες ουν παντοτε. We are always _full of courage_; we never despond; we know where our help lies; and, having the _earnest of the Spirit_, we have the full assurance of hope. _WHILST WE ARE AT HOME IN THE BODY_, c.] The original words in th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:7. _FOR WE WALK BY FAITH_] While we are in the present state _faith_ supplies the place of _direct vision_. In the future world we shall have _sight_-the utmost _evidence_ of spiritual and eternal things; as we shall be _present with them_, and live in them. _Here_ we have the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:8. _WE ARE CONFIDENT_] We are of _good courage_, notwithstanding our many difficulties; because we have this earnest of the Spirit, and the unfailing testimony of God. And notwithstanding this, _we are willing rather to be absent from the_ _body_-we certainly prefer a state of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:9. _WHEREFORE WE LABOUR_] φιλοτιμουμεθα. from φιλος, _loving_, and τιμη, _honour_; we act at all times on the _principles_ _of honour_; we are, in the proper sense of the word, ambitious to do and say every thing consistently with our high vocation: and, as we claim kindred to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:10. _FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT_] We labour to walk so as to please him, because we know that we shall have to give a solemn account of ourselves before the judgment seat of Christ; where he, whose religion we profess, will judge us according to its precept... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:11. _KNOWING THEREFORE THE TERROR OF THE LORD_] This, I think, is too harsh a translation of ειδοτες ουν τον φοβον του κυριου, which should be rendered, _knowing therefore the fear of_ _the Lord_; which, strange as it may at first appear, often signifies the _worship_ of the L... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:12. _FOR WE COMMEND NOT OURSELVES?_] I do not say these things to bespeak your good opinion, to procure your praise; but _to give you an occasion to glory_ - to exult on our behalf; and to furnish you with an answer to all those who either malign us or our ministry, and who onl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:13. _BESIDE OURSELVES_] Probably he was reputed by some to be _deranged_. Festus thought so: _Paul, thou art beside thyself;_ _too much learning hath made thee mad_. And his enemies at Corinth might insinuate not only that he was _deranged_, but attribute his derangement to a l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST CONSTRAINETH US_] We have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, and this causes us to love God intensely, and to love and labour for the salvation of men. And it is the effect produced by this love which συνεχειημας, _bears us away with itself_, which causes us... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _AND THAT HE DIED FOR ALL, THAT THEY WHICH LIVE_, c.] This _third_ position he draws from the preceding: _If all were dead_, and in danger of endless perdition and if _he died for all_, to save them from that perdition; then it justly follows that they _are not their own_, that they are bo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _KNOW WE NO MAN AFTER THE FLESH_] As we know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; and as we know that all are alienated from God, and are dead in trespasses and sins; therefore we esteem no man on account of _his family_ _relations_, or the _stock_ whence he proceeded,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _IF ANY MAN_ BE _IN CHRIST_, HE IS _A NEW CREATURE_] It is vain for a man to profess affinity to Christ according to the _flesh_, while he is unchanged in his heart and life, and dead in trespasses and sins; for he that is _in Christ_, that is, a genuine Christian, having Christ dwelling... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _AND ALL THINGS_ ARE _OF GOD_] As the thorough conversion of the soul is compared to a new _creation_, and _creation_ is the proper work of an _all-wise, almighty Being_; then this total change of heart, soul, and life, which takes place under the preaching of the Gospel, is effected by th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _THAT GOD WAS IN CHRIST_] This is the doctrine which this ministry of reconciliation holds out, and the doctrine which it uses to bring about the reconciliation itself. _God was in Christ_: 1. _Christ_ is the same as _Messiah_, the _Anointed One_, who was to be _prophet, priest_, and _ki... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST_] Ὑπερ Χριστου - πρεσβευομεν. We execute the function of ambassadors in Christ's stead. He came from the Father to mankind on this important embassy. He has left the world, and appointed us in his place. _Ambassador_ is a person sent from one sovereign powe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 5:21. _FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US_] Τον μη γνοντα ἁμαρτιαν, ὑπερ ἡμων ἁμαρτιαν εποιησεν· _He made him who_ _knew no sin_, (who was innocent,) _a sin-offering for us_. The word αμαρτια occurs here _twice_: in the _first place_ it means _sin_, i.e. transgression and... [ Continue Reading ]