2 Corinthians 5:1. _For we know_ This verse gives the reason for what has gone before. -We are consoled in our present afflictions, sustained in our hope of future glory, supported in our conviction that what is visible is speedily to be replaced by what is eternal, by the knowledge, spiritually acq... [ Continue Reading ]
_For in this_ i.e. this tabernacle. _we groan_ Cf. Romans 8:23. _to be clothed upon_ i.e. to put on in addition. See 1 Corinthians 15:53. "The flesh will not be annihilated, but spiritualized, glorified and beautified, as the human body of Christ was at the Transfiguration." St Jerome, cited by Bp... [ Continue Reading ]
_if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked_ Rather, with Tyndale, whom Cranmer follows, YET IF (some recent editors, following another reading, would render _seeing_) THAT WE SHALL BE FOUND CLOTHED, NOT NAKED. This passage has been variously explained. Some regard it (1) as asserting t... [ Continue Reading ]
_in this tabernacle_ Literally, in THE tabernacle, i.e. the -tenement," of which we have already spoken (2 Corinthians 5:1). _do groan, being burdened_ "Not because we desire to be delivered from the body, for of it we do not wish to be unclothed, but we hasten to be delivered from the corruption t... [ Continue Reading ]
_wrought us_ Literally, WROUGHT US OUT, i.e. fitted and prepared us by a course of training. See ch. 2 Corinthians 4:17. _for the selfsame thing_ The swallowing up of mortality by life. _the earnest of the Spirit_ For earnest, see ch. 2 Corinthians 1:22, a very similar passage. Cf. also Romans 8:1-... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore we are always confident_ Because we always possess the inner life of the Spirit, and are therefore always, in a sense, with God. _at home in the body_ The body (see note on 2 Corinthians 5:4) is really a _home_, though not a permanent one. "Quamdiu domi sumus in hoc corporis habitaculo.... [ Continue Reading ]
_for we walk by faith, not by sight_ Cf. ch. 2 Corinthians 4:18 and John 20:29. The word translated _sight_signifies not the _act of vision_, but _the thing seen_. Cf. Luke 3:22; Luke 9:29; John 5:37, in two of which passages the word is translated shape, in the third fashion. This is the reason of... [ Continue Reading ]
_we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord_ Our confidence is not even disturbed by death, though it is not (2 Corinthians 5:4) death in itself that we seek. But even in death we -sleep in Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:14; cf. 1 Corinthians 1... [ Continue Reading ]
_we labour_ The word implies "_una ambitio legitima_" Bengel; a strife in which one's honour is concerned. See Romans 15:20, where the word is translated _strive_. _whether present or absent] whether at home or from home_, Tyndale. The meaning is either (1) whether at home in the body, or absent fr... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we must all appear_ Literally, BE MANIFESTED, the same Greek word being used as in the next verse. A reason for what goes before. It is natural to try and please God when present with Him. But even when absent, Christians do not forget that He will judge them. _before the judgment seat of Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
The Christian Ministry one of Reconciliation 11. _the terror of the Lord_ i.e. "His to-be-dreaded judgment." Beza. This translation is due to the Geneva Version, following Beza and Calvin (Wiclif, _drede_). Tyndale (whom Cranmer follows) renders more correctly - _how the Lorde is to be feared_" (li... [ Continue Reading ]
_For we commend not ourselves_ -For" is omitted by the best editors, and its omission clears the sense. "We are not endeavouring once more to recommend ourselves to you by what we have said. (For -again" see note on ch. 2 Corinthians 3:1.) That is quite needless (ch. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3). We simply... [ Continue Reading ]
_For whether we be besides ourselves_ Literally, WERE beside ourselves, i.e. when we were with you. The reproach of madness was afterwards cast upon St Paul by Festus (Acts 26:24), and may well have been cast upon him before this. Cf. Acts 17. _it is to God_ Better, for God, i.e. for His cause. See... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the love of Christ constraineth us_ i.e. the love which Christ has not only displayed, but imparted (De Wette). He refers to Romans 8:35; Ephesians 3:19 (which however must be read in the light of 2 Corinthians 5:17). The word translated _constrain_signifies to _coop up, keep within narrow boun... [ Continue Reading ]
_that they which live should not … live unto themselves_ Cf. Romans 5:8-11; Romans 6:10-13; Romans 14:7; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24-25; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 John 5:18 See also note on ch.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh_ i.e. we regard no man from a purely fleshly point of view (see note on ch. 2 Corinthians 1:17), but look upon him as endowed with a new vital principle from above which has changed his heart. Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Rom 8:1-11; 1 Corinthians 2:10... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_ i.e. as a conclusion from 2 Corinthians 5:15, in consequence of Christ's Death, His Life, His superhuman, Divine personality. _if any man be in Christ_ The Vulgate puts no stop at Christ, and renders -if there be any new creature in Christ" (-if ony newe creature is in Crist," Wiclif).... [ Continue Reading ]
_all things are of God_ Whether natural or spiritual. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, Genesis 1:1, as well as of the work of redemption and of the new heart of man. Cf. chap. 2 Corinthians 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:5; 1Co 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:28; also John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:32. Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
_to wit, that_ i.e. this is the tenor of our message. _God was in Christ reconciling_ Or -that God in Christ was reconciling." Either translation is grammatically and theologically admissible. The former translation, preferred by the Latin expositors, lays most stress upon the indwelling of God in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now then we are ambassadors for Christ_ Literally, WE UNDERTAKE AN EMBASSY (_legatione fungimur_, Vulgate; _usen message_, Wiclif). Tyndale, followed by Cranmer and the Geneva Version, render, _are messengers in the roume of_. The Rhemish characteristically renders by _legates_. The signification -... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he hath made him to be sin for us_ Literally, HE MADE, i.e. in the Sacrifice on the Cross. The word _sin_has been variously explained as a _sin-offering_, a _sinner_, and so on. But it is best to take the word in its literal acceptation. _He made Him to be sin_, i.e. appointed Him to be the rep... [ Continue Reading ]