AGAIN; probably with reference to a charge of self-commendation against his former epistle. TO COMMEND OURSELVES; in what we have said of the dignity of our office, our purity in the discharge of it, and the triumphs in it which God awards to us, chap 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. The reader should notice... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE OUR EPISTLE; his letter of commendation, which all could read. He says here, "written in our hearts," because he wishes thus to express the place which the Corinthian converts have in his affections. In the next verse he represents the epistle as written, by his ministration, on the hearts of... [ Continue Reading ]
MINISTERED BY US; written by our ministration, as his instruments. NOT IN TABLES OF STONE; as a mere outward law is. The allusion is to the ten commandments written on tables of stone. FLESHLY TABLES OF THE HEART; compare Jeremiah 31:33; EZEKIEL 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26. When ministers of the gospel a... [ Continue Reading ]
SUCH TRUST HAVE WE; in regard to the success of our ministry, as just stated. THROUGH CHRIST; not through our own power. TO GOD - WARD; in regard to God. In these words the apostle represents himself as always acting with reference to God's glory, and putting all his trust in him.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THINK ANY THING; aright, or which would insure success.... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH MADE US ABLE MINISTERS; hath given us sufficiency to be ministers, as the original means. THE NEW TESTAMENT; the new covenant of the gospel, revealing the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. NOT OF THE LETTER; not of the outward form merely, but of the design, end, and spiritual meaning, t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH; of the Mosaic law, which "worketh wrath," and brings death instead of life to sinners. Romans 4:15; Romans 7:10. WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN IN STONES; the ten commandments thus written here represent the whole Mosaic economy. WAS GLORIOUS; in the circumstances of its instituti... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MINISTRATION OF THE SPIRIT; of the gospel, which is a spiritual dispensation, administered by the Holy Spirit, and giving life to the soul, instead of death. The chief reason why the Christian dispensation excels in glory is, that under it the Spirit is given with a fulness and power unknown bef... [ Continue Reading ]
RIGHTEOUSNESS; here the righteousness which God gives through faith in Christ, bringing to the soul justification instead of condemnation.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD NO GLORY; ceased to appear as glorious. IN THIS RESPECT; in comparing its glory with the greater glory of the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH IS DONE AWAY; the Mosaic dispensation. THAT WHICH REMAINETH; the gospel dispensation. IS GLORIOUS; as accomplishing a more glorious work, and to continue with increasing power to the end of time.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING THEN THAT WE HAVE SUCH HOPE; of the glorious results to be accomplished by the Spirit through the gospel. GREAT PLAINNESS OF SPEECH; not veiling what we teach under obscure types and symbols, as did the law of Moses, but declaring boldly, clearly, and freely the doctrines and duties of relig... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT AS MOSES, WHICH PUT A VEIL OVER HIS FACE; our message is not in any measure concealed, as was the face of Moses, in token of the darkness of that dispensation. COULD NOT STEADFASTLY LOOK TO THE END OF THAT WHICH IS ABOLISHED; not clearly understand the meaning and design of the ceremonies and t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEIR MINDS WERE BLINDED; not only did God place a veil on the dispensation, but there was a veil on their minds also-that of unbelief and hardness of heart. In this natural and easy way does the veil on Moses' face lead the apostle to speak of the veil on the minds of the covenant people. THE... [ Continue Reading ]
IT; the heart of the Jewish people. TURN TO THE LORD; embrace Jesus Christ as the Messiah. THE VEIL SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY; they shall understand the meaning of the Old Testament scriptures, and see their application to Christ. The reason why the Jews misunderstand the Old Testament and reject the Ne... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD; the Lord Jesus. IS THAT SPIRIT; more literally, is the spirit; the spirit in contrast with the letter, verse 2 Corinthians 3:6. The Old Testament types, figures, and prophecies, taken without him, are the letter which killeth. But in him they are the spirit which giveth life. THE SPIRIT... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH OPEN FACE; literally, with unveiled face, the veil having been, to us, taken away in Christ. THE GLORY OF THE LORD; the Lord Jesus. FROM GLORY TO GLORY; from one degree of glory to another. BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD; or, as the margin, by the Lord the Spirit; that is, by the Lord Jesus, who... [ Continue Reading ]