The first verse of this chapter 2 Corinthians 7 properly belongs to the previous chapter, and should have been attached to that. It is an exhortation made in view of the promises there referred to, to make every effort to obtain perfect purity, and to become entirely holy. In 2 Corinthians 7:2, he e... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING THEREFORE THESE PROMISES - The promises referred to in 2 Corinthians 6:17; the promise that God would be a Father, a protector, and a friend The idea is, that as we have a promise that God would dwell in us, that he would be our God, that he would be to us a Father, we should remove from us w... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVE US - Tyndale renders this: “understand us.” The word used here (χωρήσατε chōrēsate) means properly, give space, place, or room; and it means here evidently, make place or room for us in your affections; that is, admit or receive us as your friends. It is an earnest entreaty that they woul... [ Continue Reading ]
I SPEAK NOT THIS TO CONDEMN YOU - I do not speak this with any desire to reproach you. I do not complain of you for the purpose of condemning, or because I have a desire to find fault, though I am compelled to speak in some respect of your lack of affection and liberality toward me. It is not becaus... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT IS MY BOLDNESS OF SPEECH TOWARD YOU - This verse seems designed to soften the apparent harshness of what he had said 2 Corinthians 6:12, when he intimated that there was a lack of love in them toward him (Bloomfield), as well as to refer to the plainness which he had used all along in his lett... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEN WE WERE COME INTO MACEDONIA - For the reasons which induced Paul to go into Macedonia; see the notes on 2 Corinthians 1:16; compare the notes, 2 Corinthians 2:12. OUR FLESH HAD NO REST - We were exceedingly distressed and agitated. We had no rest. The causes of his distress he immediately... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD THAT COMFORTETH THOSE THAT ARE CAST DOWN - Whose characteristic is, that be gives consolation to those who are anxious and depressed. All his consolation was in God; and by whatever instrumentality comfort was administered, he regarded and acknowledged God as the author; see the note, 2 Corinthi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOT BY HIS COMING ONLY - Not merely by the fact that be was restored to me, and that my anxieties in regard to him were now dissipated. It is evident that Paul, not having met with Titus as he had expected, at Troas, had felt much anxiety on his account, perhaps apprehending that he was sick, or... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH I MADE YOU SORRY ... - That is, in the First Epistle which he had sent to them. In that Epistle he had felt it necessary to reprove them for their dissensions and other disorders which had occurred and which were tolerated in the church. That Epistle was suited to produce pain in them - a... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I REJOICE, NOT THAT YE WERE MADE SORRY ... - I have no pleasure in giving pain to anyone, or in witnessing the distress of any. When people are brought to repentance under the preaching of the gospel, the ministers of the gospel do not find pleasure in their grief as such. They are not desirous... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GODLY SORROW - “Sorrow according to God” (Ἡ γὰρ κατὰ Θεὸν λύπη Hē gar kata Theon lupē). That is, such sorrow as has respect to God, or is according to his will, or as leads the soul to him. This is a very important expression in regard to true repentance, and shows the exact nature of tha... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BEHOLD THIS SELF-SAME THING - For see in your own case the happy effects of godly sorrow. See the effects which it produced; see an illustration of what it is suited to produce. The construction is, “For lo! this very thing, to wit, your sorrowing after a godly manner, wrought carefulness, clear... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, THOUGH I WROTE UNTO YOU ... - In this verse Paul states the main reason why he had written to them on the subject. It was not principally on account of the man who had done the wrong, or of him who had been injured; but it was from tender anxiety for the whole church, and in order to show... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE WE WERE COMFORTED IN YOUR COMFORT - The phrase “your comfort,” here seems to mean the happiness which they had, or might reasonably be expected to have in obeying the directions of Paul, and in the repentance which they had manifested. Paul had spoken of no other consolation or comfort tha... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF I HAVE BOASTED ANYTHING TO HIM ... - This seems to imply that Paul had spoken most favorably to Titus of the Corinthians before he went among them. He had probably expressed his belief that he would be kindly received; that they would be disposed to listen to him, and to comply with the direc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HIS INWARD AFFECTION ... - He has become deeply and tenderly attached to you. His affectionate regard for you has been greatly increased by his visit. On the meaning of the word here rendered “inward affection” (σπλάγχια splangchia, Margin, bowels) see the note on 2 Corinthians 6:12. It denotes... [ Continue Reading ]
I REJOICE, THEREFORE, THAT I HAVE CONFIDENCE ... - I have had the most ample proof that you are disposed to obey God, and to put away everything that is offensive to him. The address of this part of the Epistle, says Doddridge, is wonderful. It is designed, evidently, not merely to commend them for... [ Continue Reading ]