_For we know_ We pursue, not seen, but unseen things, and do not faint in our work, because we know _that if our earthly house_ Which is only a tabernacle or tent, a mere temporary habitation; _were dissolved_ Were mouldered back to the dust out of which it was formed; or if our zeal in the service... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now he that hath wrought us for_ Or _to_, this longing for immortality; _is God_ For none but God, none less than the Almighty, could have wrought this in us; _who also hath given us his Spirit_ In its various gifts and graces; as _an earnest_ Of our obtaining the heavenly habitation. _We are confi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore we labour_ Φιλοτιμουμεθα, _we are ambitious_, (the only ambition which has place in a Christian,) _that, whether present_ in the body, _or absent_ from it, _we may be accepted of him_ Ευαρεστοι αυτω ειναι, _to be well-pleasing to him_, or to receive the tokens of his favour and approbatio... [ Continue Reading ]
_Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord_ The strict judgment which must then pass on all impenitent sinners; _we_ the more earnestly _persuade men_ To repent and believe the gospel, that, instead of being objects of the divine wrath, they may live and die happy in his favour. _But_, as _we are mad... [ Continue Reading ]
_For whether we be beside ourselves_ As they affirm we are, because we expose ourselves to so many sufferings, and even to the danger of imprisonment and death, by persevering in our work of preaching the gospel. Or whether we appear to be _transported beyond ourselves_ By our speaking or writing wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore henceforth_ So that from this time that we knew the love of Christ; _know we no man_ Neither ourselves nor you, neither the rest of the apostles, (Galatians 2:6,) nor any other person; _after the flesh_ According to his former state, country, descent, nobility, riches, power, wisdom. We f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_ Since all Christ's true disciples do thus live to him, and not to themselves, and only know him in a spiritual manner; _if any man be in Christ_ By living faith and the indwelling of his Spirit; if any man have an interest in and union with him; _he is a new creature_ Καινη κτισις, _ther... [ Continue Reading ]
_And all things_, &c. These new things _are_ all _of God_, the author of them, considered in this view as _reconciling us to himself_ Removing our carnal mind, which was enmity against him, and taking us into his favour; _by Jesus Christ_ Through whose sacrifice and intercession, merits and Spirit,... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he made him, who knew no sin_ A commendation peculiar to Christ; _to be sin_ Or _a sin-offering_ rather, (as the expression often signifies both in the Old Testament and the New;) _for us_ Who knew no righteousness, who were inwardly and outwardly nothing but sin, and who must have been consume... [ Continue Reading ]