We then, _as_ workers together _with him_, beseech _you_ also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. Ver. 1. _As workers together_] Not as coadjutors, but as instruments, such as God is pleased to make use of. See the note on1 Corinthians 3:9 . _ The grace of God in vain, _] That embassy of... [ Continue Reading ]
Ver. 2. _Now is the accepted time_] He purposely beats upon the το νυν, because opportunity is headlong, and, if once past, irrecoverable. Some are _semper victuri, _ always alive, as Seneca saith, they stand trifling out their time, and so fool away their salvation. God will not always serve men fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: Ver. 3. _Giving no offence_] A minister should be as Absalom was, without blemish from head to foot. His fruit should be, as that of Paradise, fair to the eye and sweet to the taste. A small fault is soon seen in him, and easily eithe... [ Continue Reading ]
But in all _things_ approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, Ver. 4. _In much patience_] Or tolerance, suffering hardship, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. _ In afflictions_] Out of which there is little or no use of patience; a... [ Continue Reading ]
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; Ver. 5. _In imprisonment_] Chrysostom saith, he had rather be Paul cast into a prison than Paul rapped up into Paradise.... [ Continue Reading ]
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, Ver. 6. _By pureness_] By lamb-like simplicity or sincerity. Religion loves to lie clean, said one. Godliness must run through our whole lives as the woof doth through the web. See Isaiah 33:14. No gold... [ Continue Reading ]
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, Ver. 7. _On the right hand, &c._] Against the world's both _irritamenta_ and _terriculamenta, _ both allurements and affrightments. _Contemptus est a me Romanus et favor et furor, _ The Roma... [ Continue Reading ]
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and _yet_ true; Ver. 8. _By honour and dishonour, &c._] It is written on heaven doors (said that martyr), "Do well and hear ill." A bad report is the ordinary reward of very well doing; which made Luther wax proud even of his re... [ Continue Reading ]
As unknown, and _yet_ well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; Ver. 9. _As unknown_] To the world, 1 John 3:1,2. A prince in a strange land is little set by, as not known. Unkent, unkist, as the northern proverb hath it. _ Well known_] To those who have spiritual j... [ Continue Reading ]
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and _yet_ possessing all things. Ver. 10. _As sorrowful, yet, &c._] God's works are usually done _in oppositis mediis, _ in opposing means, as Luther said. Out of the eater he brings meat, &c. This riddle the world... [ Continue Reading ]
O _ye_ Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ver. 11. _Our mouth is open unto you_] We speak thus freely unto you, out of our deep affection towards you; we even carve you a piece of our heart, we pour forth ourselves in this flood of speech, that thereby ye may take a sca... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Ver. 12. _Ye are not straitened in us_] _Non habitatis anguste in nobis; _ so Piscator renders it. _ But ye are straitened_] Ye are bankrupts in love, ye comply not, ye do not reciprocate. Plain things will join every point one... [ Continue Reading ]
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto _my_ children,) be ye also enlarged. Ver. 13. _I speak as unto my children_] Here are soft words, hard arguments. This is the way to win; and that was a sad complaint,2 Corinthians 12:15. Love lost is a bitter affliction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Ver. 14. _Be not unequally yoked_] Dare not saith Mr Ward, to yoke thyself with any untamed heifer that bears not Christ's yoke. _Quam male... [ Continue Reading ]
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Ver. 15. _What concord hath Christ_] Those moderators that plead for a correspondence with Popery, would make a pretty show if there were no Bible. But if these reconcilers (as Franciscus de Sancta Clara,... [ Continue Reading ]
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in _them_; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Ver. 16. _I will dwell in them_] Gr. ενοικησω εν αυτοις, I will indwell in them. This note... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean _thing_; and I will receive you, Ver. 17. _And be ye separate_] For gross idolatry and for fundamental errors only must we separate. Corruptions grew so great in the Church of Rome, that it justly occa... [ Continue Reading ]
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Ver. 18. _I will be a Father_] The fundamental, meritorious, impulsive, and final causes of this precious privilege, see set forth, Ephesians 1:5,6 . _ Saith the Lord Almighty_] This is added by our apos... [ Continue Reading ]