Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy _our_ brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Ver. 1. _Our brother_] In the faith, not in the flesh. _Sanctior est copula cordis quam corporis,Proverbs 18:24_ .... [ Continue Reading ]
Grace _be_ to you and peace from God our Father, and _from_ the Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 2. _From God the Father_] The Father is the fountain, the Son the conduit, whereby all good things are derived to us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed _be_ God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Ver. 3. _The Father of mercies_] Only it must be remembered that as he is _Pater miserationum, _ so he is _Deus ultionum, Psalms 94:1_. As he hath _ubera, _ breasts, so he hath _verbera_ t... [ Continue Reading ]
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. Ver. 4. _By the comfort wherewith_] How forcible are right words, especially when uttered more from the bowels than the brain, and from... [ Continue Reading ]
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. Ver. 5. _As the sufferings of Christ_] So called, either because the saints suffer for Christ, or because they have him suffering with them, Acts 9:4. God is more provoked than Nehemiah, Nehemiah 4:3; Nehemia... [ Continue Reading ]
And whether we be afflicted, _it is_ for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, _it is_ for your consolation and salvation. Ver. 6. _And whether we be afflicted_] Let the wind sit in what corner soe... [ Continue Reading ]
And our hope of you _is_ stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so _shall ye be_ also of the consolation. Ver. 7. _So shall ye be also, &c._] Our troubles therefore are compared to the throes of a travailing woman, that tend to a birth, and end in comfort,John 16:21 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: Ver. 8. _For we would not, &c._] It is of great use to know the sufferings that others have sustained before us. The p... [ Continue Reading ]
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Ver. 9. _But we had the sentence_] Gr. Απολριμα, the answer or denunciation of death. Here we must distinguish between answers of trial and direct answers. This was of the former... [ Continue Reading ]
Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver _us_; Ver. 10. _In whom we trust_] Experience breeds confidence. Thou hast, thou shalt, is an ordinary medium made use of by the Psalmist.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift _bestowed_ upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. Ver. 11. _You also helping together_] The best may have benefit by the prayers of the meanest. Melancthon was much cheered and confirmed by the pra... [ Continue Reading ]
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. Ver. 12. _For this is our rejoicing, &c_] He was merry under his load, be... [ Continue Reading ]
For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; Ver. 13. _Than what ye read, &c._] Or, than what you can both recognize and approve of; for you have known me through and through.... [ Continue Reading ]
As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also _are_ ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 14. _You have acknowledged in part_] _q.d._ You ought to have done it more fully; but you have been carried away, as ye were led by the false apostles.... [ Continue Reading ]
And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; Ver. 15. _A second benefit_] Gr. "grace," not converting only, but confirming also. All is but enough.... [ Continue Reading ]
And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. Ver. 16. _And to pass by you_] So indefatigable and unsatisfiable was he in doing God service. Calvin said, _Ne decem quidem maria, &c., _ that it would not grieve him t... [ Continue Reading ]
When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? Ver. 17. _Did I use lightness_] So the false apostles suggested against him. Ministers must carefully clear themselves of susp... [ Continue Reading ]
But _as_ God _is_ true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. Ver. 18. _Our word toward you, &c._] God's children are all such as will not lie, say and unsay, blow hot and cold with a blast, Isaiah 63:8. _Christianus est, non mentietur, _ He is a Christian, he will not lie, was an old proverb. S... [ Continue Reading ]
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, _even_ by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. Ver. 19. _For the Son of God_] What is that to the purpose? Thus: if the gospel that Paul preached be not yea and nay, then neither are Paul's promis... [ Continue Reading ]
For all the promises of God in him _are_ yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Ver. 20. _In him are yea and amen_] That is, truth and assurance. They will eat their way over all Alps of opposition, as one speaketh.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, _is_ God; Ver. 21. _Hath anointed us_] _i.e._ Consecrated and qualified us.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Ver. 22. _Sealed us_] As the merchant sets his seal upon his goods. _ The earnest of the Spirit_] Whereof God should undergo the loss, if he should not give the inheritance, as Chrysostom noteth. The Greeks bought usually... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. Ver. 23. _I call God to record_] He purgeth himseff by oath. So those, Joshua 22:22 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Ver. 24. _Dominion over your faith_] As masters of your consciences; such as the bridge maker of Rome (_Pontifex Romanus_) will needs be, Revelation 17:1. The purple whore sitteth upon the nations, _i... [ Continue Reading ]