INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 4 In this chapter, the apostle declares the constancy, sincerity, and integrity of him, and his fellow ministers, in preaching the Gospel; asserts the clearness and perspicuity of it; removes the charge of pride and arrogance from them; takes notice of the afflictions... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE SEEING WE HAVE THIS MINISTRY,.... The apostle having largely insisted on the difference between the law and the Gospel, the ministration of the one and of the other, proceeds to give an account of his own conduct, and that of his fellow apostles and ministers: "we", says he, "faint not"; u... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HAVE RENOUNCED THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DISHONESTY,.... Or "shame"; this is a further account of the conduct of the first ministers of the Gospel, and very worthy of our imitation, and in which the apostle strikes at the different manner of behaviour in the false apostles: this may respect both doct... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF OUR GOSPEL BE HID,.... When the Gospel is called ours, the meaning is, not that ministers are the authors or subject of it; but it is so styled, because they are intrusted with it; it is preached by them; and is in opposition to another Gospel, the Gospel of the false apostles. Here an object... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOM THE GOD OF THIS WORLD HATH BLINDED,.... The description of the persons to whom the Gospel is hid, is here further carried on; in which the character of Satan is given, who is here styled "the god of this world"; just as he is by Christ, "the prince of this world", John 12:31 not because he h... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE PREACH NOT OURSELVES,.... These words contain a reason why the apostles behaved themselves in the manner described, 2 Corinthians 4:2 and serve to explain in what sense this inspired writer is to be understood, when he calls the Gospel our Gospel, 2 Corinthians 4:3 and most clearly proves the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD, WHO COMMANDED THE LIGHT TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS,.... The causal particle for, shows these words to be also a reason of the foregoing; either why they so clearly beheld the glory of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 4:18 or why they renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, 2 Corinthians 4:2 or why... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE HAVE, THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS,.... This is a further commendation of the Gospel; and by which the apostle removes an objection against it, taken from the cross and persecutions that attend it, and the outward meanness of the ministers of it. The Gospel is called a "treasure", for not... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE TROUBLED ON EVERY SIDE,.... Or afflicted; εν παντι, either "in every place", wherever we are, into whatsoever country, city, or town we enter, we are sure to meet with trouble, of one sort or another; for wherever we be, we are in the world, in which we must expect tribulation: or "always", e... [ Continue Reading ]
PERSECUTED, BUT NOT FORSAKEN,.... Pursued from place to place, and followed with menaces, curses, and reproaches; laid hold on, proscribed, imprisoned, and threatened with the severest tortures, and death itself; but our God never leaves us nor forsakes us; though we are followed close by evil men,... [ Continue Reading ]
ALWAYS BEARING ABOUT IN THE BODY,.... The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, read, "in our body"; and the Syriac version, in this and the next clause, reads, "in our bodies", and some copies in this read, "bodies"; continually carrying about with us, in these mortal bodies of ours, wherev... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Corinthians 4:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THEN DEATH WORKETH IN US,.... This is the conclusion of the foregoing account, or the inference deduced from it; either the death, or dying of Christ, that is, the sufferings of his body, the church, for his sake, ενεργειται, "is wrought in us"; fulfilled and perfected in us; see 1 Thessalonians... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVING THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH,.... By faith here is meant, not the doctrine, but the grace of faith; a believing in the doctrines of the Gospel, and in the person of Christ; an exercise of that grace upon the death and resurrection of Christ; and particularly a looking by faith in full expectat... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWING THAT HE WHICH RAISED UP THE LORD JESUS,.... Besides having the same spirit of faith, mentioned in the preceding verse as a support under tribulation, the apostle proceeds in this, and some following verses, to take notice of other things which gave them relief under their pressures; such as... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES;.... This is a very large and comprehensive expression, and reaches to all the things of Christ, as well as of his ministers. The incarnation, obedience, death, and resurrection of Christ, are all for the sake of God's elect; and so the ministry of his apostles and... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHICH CAUSE WE FAINT NOT,.... Since our afflictions are overruled for the good of others, and the glory of God, we are not discouraged by them; our spirits do not sink under the weight of them; we do not give out from the work of the ministry because of them, but go on cheerfully therein: and th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION,.... The difference between the present and future state of the saints is here expressed, the disparity between them shown, and the influence the one has upon the other. The present state is a state of "affliction". Affliction is the common lot of the children of men, but mo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN,.... These are the things of this world, such as riches, honours, pleasures, profits, c. which are visible to, and strike the senses of a natural man, and are temporal, endure but for a time, are transitory, fleeting, and quickly gone. To "look" at thes... [ Continue Reading ]