This statement may seem at first view to suit ill, or not sufficiently well, with what goes before; for he seems to speak of a new matter, that he had not previously touched upon, while in reality he is following out the same subject. Let the _reader, _however, observe, that Paul treats of the very... [ Continue Reading ]
2._For which I have boasted. _He shows the good opinion that he had of them from this, that he had, in a manner, stood forward as their surety by asserting their readiness. But what if he rashly asserted more than the case warranted? For there is some appearance of this, inasmuch as he boasted, that... [ Continue Reading ]
3._But I have sent the brethren. _He now brings forward the reason — why it is that, while entertaining a favorable opinion as to their willingness, he, nevertheless, sets himself carefully to exhort them. “I consult,” says he, “my own good name and yours; for while I promised in your name, we would... [ Continue Reading ]
4._In this confidence _The Greek term being ὑπόστασις the Old Interpreter has rendered it _substantiam _ _, _(_substance._) (708) Erasmus renders it _argumentum _ _, _(_subject-matter,_) but neither is suitable. Budaeus, however, observes, that this term is sometimes taken to mean _boldness, _or _co... [ Continue Reading ]
5._As a blessing, not in the way of niggardliness _In place of _blessing, _some render it _collection. _I have preferred, however, to render it literally, as the Greeks employed the term εὐλογίας to express the Hebrew word ברכה, (_beracah,_) which is used in the sense of _a blessing, _that is, an in... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Now the case is this _(719) He now commends alms-giving by a beautiful similitude, comparing it to sowing. For in sowing, the seed is cast forth by the hand, is scattered upon the ground on this side and on that, is harrowed, and at length rots; and thus it seems as good as lost. The case is simi... [ Continue Reading ]
7_Every one according to the purpose of his heart. _As he had enjoined it upon them to give liberally, this, also, required to be added — that liberality is estimated by God, not so much from the sum, as from the disposition. He was desirous, it is true, to induce them to give largely, in order that... [ Continue Reading ]
8._And God is able _Again he provides against the base thought, which our infidelity constantly suggests to us. “What! will you not rather have a regard to your own interest? Do you not consider, that when this is taken away, there will be so much the less left for yourself?” With the view of drivin... [ Continue Reading ]
9._As it is written, He hath dispersed _He brings forward a proof from Psalms 112:9, where, along with other excellencies of the pious man, the Prophet mentions this, too, — that he will not be wanting in doing good, but as water flows forth incessantly from a perennial fountain, so the gushing fort... [ Continue Reading ]
10._He that supplieth. _A beautieth circumlocution, in place of the term _God, _and full of consolation. (724) For the person that sows seed in the proper season, appears when reaping to gather the fruit of his labor and industry, and sowing appears as though it were the fountainhead from which food... [ Continue Reading ]
11._May be enriched unto all bountifulness. _Again he makes use of the term _bountifulness, _to express the nature of true liberality — when, casting all our care upon God, (1 Peter 5:7,) we cheerfully lay out what belongs to us for whatever purposes He directs. He teaches us (729) that these are... [ Continue Reading ]
By the term _administration, _he means what he had undertaken at the request of the Churches. Now what we render _functionem _ (_service_)_, _is in the Greek λειτουργία term that sometimes denotes a sacrifice, sometimes any office that is publicly assigned. (730) Either of them will suit this passag... [ Continue Reading ]
13._By the experiment of that administration _The term _experiment _here, as in a variety of other places, means _proof _or _trial _(733) For it was a sufficient token for bringing the love of the Corinthians to the test, — that they were so liberal to brethren that were at a great distance from the... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And their prayer _He omits no advantage which may be of any use for stirring up the Corinthians. (735) In the _first _place, he has made mention of the comfort that believers would experience; _secondly, _the thanksgiving, by means of which God was to be glorified. Nay more, he has said that thi... [ Continue Reading ]