2 Corinthians 1:4
The afflictions and consolations of faithful ministers are designed to prepare them for giving instruction and comfort to the afflicted.... [ Continue Reading ]
The afflictions and consolations of faithful ministers are designed to prepare them for giving instruction and comfort to the afflicted.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST; sufferings like those of Christ, or endured in Christ's cause. All Christ's disciples, each in his own measure, must first suffer with Christ, that they may afterwards be partakers of his glory. Romans 8:17; 2 TIMOTHY 2:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS FOR YOUR CONSOLATION AND SALVATION; our affliction is endured in behalf of you, as of all the churches, and redounds to your comfort and salvation. WHICH IS EFFECTUAL; which salvation of yours-including also the consolation accompanying it-is effectual; that is, active and efficacious. It has... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONSOLATION; which Christ gives to those who suffer for his sake. Great sufferings are usually accompanied by great consolations, and increase both our present and our eternal good.... [ Continue Reading ]
PRESSED OUT OF MEASURE; exceedingly distressed.... [ Continue Reading ]
SENTENCE OF DEATH; were cut off from all human means of help, and doomed apparently to immediate death.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM SO GREAT A DEATH; of the particular kind of death to which the apostle was exposed we have no certain knowledge. We only know from the present verse that it was very terrible.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GIFT; the deliverance just referred to. BY THE MEANS OF MANY PERSONS; by means of their intercessory prayers for the apostle and his helpers, which God heard and answered. BY MANY; the many who have prayed for the gift. As Christians may by prayer greatly assist absent friends and bring an inc... [ Continue Reading ]
IN SIMPLICITY; with a single view to the glory of God and the good of men. FLESHLY WISDOM; worldly, selfish, underhanded policy. HAD OUR CONVERSATION; conducted ourselves in all things; according to the old meaning of the word conversation, that is, deportment, manner of life. TO YOU - WARD; in w... [ Continue Reading ]
THAN WHAT YE READ; the opponents of Paul in Corinth had probably accused him of insincerity in his former epistle. He assures them that he has no hidden end, but that what they read is precisely what he means. OR ACKNOWLEDGE; that is, recognize and know to be true from your own personal acquaintanc... [ Continue Reading ]
IN PART; he makes this limitation because there were some in Corinth who did not acknowledge his worth and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THIS CONFIDENCE; that we are your rejoicing, and ye ours, as verse 2 Corinthians 1:14. TO COME UNTO YOU BEFORE; before visiting Macedonia, whence he wrote to them this letter; namely, by calling on the Corinthians on his was thither, verse 2 Corinthians 1:16. A SECOND BENEFIT; the words probabl... [ Continue Reading ]
USE LIGHTNESS; was he fickleminded, as some charged him, because he did not fulfill his purpose of visiting them on his way to Macedonia? ACCORDING TO THE FLESH; as insincere, selfish, and worldly men do, changing their plans and promises to suit their own convenience.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR WORD; or, as the margin, our preaching; for the apostle adduces the steadfastness and consistency of his preaching as the great proof of his general steadfastness. WAS NOT YEA AND NAY; was not now yes, and now no. Like Christ, its author, it was not a changeable, but a steadfast doctrine. We ma... [ Continue Reading ]
SILVANUS; the same as Silas, Acts 15:22. IN HIM WAS YEA; all the promises made in him were only yea-steadfast and sure, as is asserted in the following verse. It is implied that Paul, the preacher of such a Saviour, was steadfast also.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY US; through our preaching.... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH ANOINTED US; us Christians, by his Holy Spirit. 1Jn 2:20; 1 John 2:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEALED US; marked as his own. The agent of this sealing is the Holy Spirit, as immediately stated. THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS; the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, and giving us a foretaste of the joys of heaven, which is the pledge of our full introduction to them. The possession a... [ Continue Reading ]
I CALL GOD; to witness the truth of what he said. TO SPARE YOU; to save them from that painful discipline which he might have found necessary, had he visited them in their disorderly state.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT FOR THAT WE HAVE DOMINION OVER YOUR FAITH; as much as to say, Do not understand the words I have just written as meaning that we set ourselves up to be lords over your faith, and delight to exercise severity towards you. He intimates that he would not exercise apostolical and inspired authority... [ Continue Reading ]