Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; Ver. 1. _As we have received mercy_] Since we have so freely been called to the ministry of mere mercy, we show forth therein all sedulity and sincerity. When I was born, said that French king, thousand others were bor... [ Continue Reading ]
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Ver. 2. _The hidden things of dishonesty_] All legerdemain _a_ and underhand... [ Continue Reading ]
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: Ver. 3. _To them that are lost_] It is a sign of a reprobate goat,John 8:43; John 8:47 "Sensual, having not the Spirit," Judges 1:19. The devil holds his black hand before their eyes, that they may fall blindling into hell. Herein he dealet... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Ver. 4. _The god of this world_] The devil usurps such a power, and wicked men will have it so. They set him up for God:... [ Continue Reading ]
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. Ver. 5. _We preach not ourselves_] We are Christ's paranymphs or spokesmen, and must woo for him. Now if we should speak one word for him and two for ourselves, as all self-seekers do, how can we an... [ Continue Reading ]
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to _give_ the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Ver. 6. _Hath shined_] The first work of the Spirit in man's heart is to beat out new windows there, and to let in light, Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Ver. 7. _In earthen vessels_] Gr. εν οστρακινοις, in oyster shells, as the ill-favoured oyster hath in it a bright pearl. _Vilis saepe cadus nobile nectar habet._ In a leather purse may be a... [ Continue Reading ]
_We are_ troubled on every side, yet not distressed; _we are_ perplexed, but not in despair; Ver. 8. _We are troubled on every side_] This is the world's wages to God's ministers. _Veritas odium parit._ Opposition is _Evangelii genius, _ said Calvin. Truth goes ever with a scratched face. _ We are... [ Continue Reading ]
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Ver. 9. _Persecuted, but not forsaken_] The Church may be shaken, not shivered; persecuted, not conquered. (_Concuti, non excuti.) Roma cladibus animosior, _ said one; it is more true of the Church. She gets by her losses, and, as the oak,... [ Continue Reading ]
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. Ver. 10. _The dying of the Lord_] A condition obnoxious to daily deaths and dangers. _ Might be made manifest_] As it was in Paul, when being stoned, he started up with a _... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh._ __ Ver. 11. _ For we which live, &c._ _] Good men only are heirs of the grace of life, 1 Peter 3:7_ _. Others are living ghosts and walking sepulchres of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you._ __ Ver. 12. _ Death worketh in us_ _] It hath already seized upon us, but yet we are not killed with death, as those were, Revelation 2:23_ _. As a godly man said, that he did aegrotare vitaliter; _ to be mortally ill so as to give life, so the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Ver. 13. _The same spirit_] That you have, and shall be heirs together of heaven with you, though here we meet with more miseries. _ I believed, and theref... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present _us_ with you. Ver. 14. _Shall present us with you_] Shall bring us from the jaws of death to the joys of eternal life.... [ Continue Reading ]
For all things _are_ for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. Ver. 15. _That the abundant grace_] This is one end wherefore God suffers his ministers to be subject to so many miseries, that the people might be put upon prayer and pr... [ Continue Reading ]
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward _man_ is renewed day by day. Ver. 16. _Yet the inward man_] Peter Martyr dying, said, "My body is weak, my mind is well, well for the present, and it will be better hereafter." This is the godly man's motto.... [ Continue Reading ]
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding _and_ eternal weight of glory; Ver. 17. _For our light affliction_] Here we have an elegant antithesis, and a double hyperbole, beyond translation. For affliction, here is glory; for light affliction, a weight... [ Continue Reading ]
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen _are_ temporal; but the things which are not seen _are_ eternal. Ver. 18. _Whiles we look not_] Gr. σκοπουντων, while we make them not our scope, our mark to aim at. Heaven we may mak... [ Continue Reading ]