Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some _others_, epistles of commendation to you, or _letters_ of commendation from you? Ver. 1. _Do we begin again, &c._] As we had done before, 2 Corinthians 1:12 . _ To commend ourselves_] _Quod magnificum referente alio fuisset, ipso qui ges... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Ver. 2. _You are our epistle_] The fruitfulness of the people is the preacher's testimonial; as the profiting of the scholar is the teacher's commendation. _ Written in our hearts_] Or rather in your hearts, as tables; the Spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forasmuch as ye are_ manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. Ver. 3. _Ministered by us_] Who are devoted to the service of your faith, and are the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Ver. 4. _Such trust have we_] _i.e._ Such boldness of holy boasting. If Cicero could say, Two things I have to bear me bold upon, the knowledge of good arts and the glory of great acts; how much more might Paul!... [ Continue Reading ]
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency _is_ of God; Ver. 5. _Not that we are sufficient_] Lest they should think him arrogant. Cyrus had this written upon his tomb, "I could do all things," παντα ποιειν εδυναμην, as Arrianus reports. So could... [ Continue Reading ]
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Ver. 6. _Not of the letter_] To wit, of the law, which requireth perfect obedience, presupposing holiness in us, and cursing the disobedient; but the... [ Continue Reading ]
But if the ministration of death, written _and_ engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which _glory_ was to be done away: Ver. 7. _The ministration of death_] That is, the law. David was the vo... [ Continue Reading ]
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? Ver. 8. _Be rather glorious_] Let this comfort the ministers of the gospel under the contempts cast upon them by the mad world, ever beside itself in point of salvation. See Isaiah 49:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
For if the ministration of condemnation _be_ glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. Ver. 9. _Exceed in glory_] A throne was set in heaven, Revelation 4:2; not in the mount, as Exodus 25:9. The pattern of our Church is showed in the heavens themselves, because of th... [ Continue Reading ]
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. Ver. 10. _Had no glory_] To speak of, and in comparison. The light of the law was obscured and overcast by the light of the gospel. The sea about the altar was brazen, 1 Kings 7:23, and what e... [ Continue Reading ]
For if that which is done away _was_ glorious, much more that which remaineth _is_ glorious. Ver. 11. _Much more that, &c._] As the sun outshineth Lucifer his herald.... [ Continue Reading ]
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: Ver. 12. _Plainness of speech_] Or, much evidence, as John 10:24; John 11:14; John 16:29; with much perspicuity and authority we deliver ourselves; we speak with open face, not fearing colours.... [ Continue Reading ]
And not as Moses, _which_ put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: Ver. 13. _Could not stedfastly, &c._] Could not clearly see Christ the end of the law, Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:14 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which _vail_ is done away in Christ. Ver. 14. _But their minds_] Unless God give sight as well as light, and enlighten both organ and object, we can see nothing. _ Which vail... [ Continue Reading ]
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Ver. 15. _The vail is upon their hearts_] By a malicious and voluntary hardening, they curse Christ and his worshippers in their daily devotions, and call _Evangelium Avengillaion_ the gospel a volume of vanity or iniquity. ... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Ver. 16. _When it shall turn_] Of the Jews' conversion, and what hinders it. _See Trapp on "_ Rom 11:7 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Rom 11:8 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Rom 11:25 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord _is_, there _is_ liberty. Ver. 17. _The Lord is that Spirit_] Christ only can give the Jews that noble spirit, as David calleth him, Psalms 51:12, that freeth a man from the invisible chains of the kingdom of darkness.... [ Continue Reading ]
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, _even_ as by the Spirit of the Lord. Ver. 18. _Are changed_] As the pearl by the often beating of the sunbeams upon it becomes radiant. _ From glory to glory_] That is, fr... [ Continue Reading ]