For we know that if our earthly house of _this_ tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Ver. 1. _For we know_] Not we think, or hope only; this is the top gallant of faith, the triumph of trust; this is, as Latimer calls it, the de... [ Continue Reading ]
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: Ver. 2. _For in this_] That is, in this tabernacle of the body. How willingly do soldiers burn their huts, when the siege is ended; being glad that their work is done, and that they may go home and dwel... [ Continue Reading ]
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. Ver. 3. _If so be that, &c._] _q.d._ Howbeit, I know not whether we shall be so clothed upon, that is, whether we that are now alive shall be found alive at Christ's coming to judgment, whether we shall then be found clothed with our bodies,... [ Continue Reading ]
For we that are in _this_ tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Ver. 4. _Do groan, being burdened_] viz. With sin and misery, whereof we have here our backburdens. And surely great shame it were (as t... [ Continue Reading ]
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing _is_ God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Ver. 5. _He that hath wrought us_] Curiously wrought us in the lowermost parts of the earth, that is, in the womb, as curious workmen perfect their choice pieces in private, and then... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore _we are_ always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: Ver. 6. _Therefore we are confident_] Not hesitant, or halting, as Adrian the emperor was, and as he that cried out on his deathbed, _Anxius vixi, dubius metior, nescio quo vado, _ I h... [ Continue Reading ]
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) Ver. 7. _For we walk by faith_] Which puts our heads into heaven, sets us on the top of Pisgah with Moses, and therehence descries and describes unto us the promised land, gives us to set one foot aforehand in the porch of Paradise, to see as Stephen did Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
8 We are confident, _I say_, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Ver. 8. _And willing rather_] Death is not to be desired as a punishment of sin, but as a period of sin; not as a postern gate to let out our temporal, but as a street door to let in eternal... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. Ver. 9. _Wherefore we labour_] Our hope of heaven maketh us active and abundant in God's service. The doctrine of assurance is not a doctrine of liberty, but the contrary, 1 John 3:3. We make it our ambition, φιλοτιμου... [ Continue Reading ]
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things _done_ in _his_ body, according to that he hath done, whether _it be_ good or bad. Ver. 10. _For we must all, &c._] This great assize will not be such an assembly as that of Ahasuerus, of his nobles, pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. Ver. 11. _Knowing therefore the terror, &c._] What a terrible time it will be with the wicked, who shall in vain tire the deaf mountains with their h... [ Continue Reading ]
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to _answer_ them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. Ver. 12. _Which glory in appearance_] Gr. εν προσωπω, in the face. Hypocrites, as they repent in the face, Matthew 6:16,... [ Continue Reading ]
For whether we be beside ourselves, _it is_ to God: or whether we be sober, _it is_ for your cause. Ver. 13. _It is to God_] _i.e._ When to the world we seem mad of pride and vain glory, yet then we respect only God's glory. _ It is for your sakes_] _i.e._ For your learning, that we are more modes... [ Continue Reading ]
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: Ver. 14. _The love of Christ, &c._] As reward hath an attractive, and punishment an impulsive, so love hath a compulsive faculty. This love of Christ had so closed in St Paul, so hemmed him... [ Continue Reading ]
And _that_ he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Ver. 15. _Should not henceforth_] _Servati sumus ut serviamus._ The redeemed among the Romans were to observe and honour those that ransomed them as parents... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we _him_ no more. Ver. 16. _No man after the flesh_] _i.e._ We esteem no man simply the better or worse for his wealth, poverty, honour, ignominy, or anything outward. SeeJ... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore if any man _be_ in Christ, _he is_ a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Ver. 17. _Is a new creature_] Either a new man or no man in Christ. Get into him therefore with all speed; for till this be done, though thou shouldest spend thy time in gathe... [ Continue Reading ]
And all things _are_ of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; Ver. 18. _And all things are of God_] He is both author and finisher of our faith, the God of all grace, the Father of all lights, &c. _ And hath given us the minist... [ Continue Reading ]
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Ver. 19. _That God was in Christ, &c._] As the salt waters of the sea, when they are strained through the earth, they are sweet in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech _you_ by us: we pray _you_ in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Ver. 20. _Ambassadors for Christ_] And therefore sacred persons, not to be violated on pain of God's heavy displeasure: "Do my prophets no harm." They that would... [ Continue Reading ]
For he hath made him _to be_ sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Ver. 21. _To be sin for us_] That is, a sin offering, or an exceeding sinner, as Exodus 29:14. So Christ was, 1. By imputation, for our sins were "made to meet upon him," as that evangel... [ Continue Reading ]