_COMMENDING HIS APOSTLESHIP, THOUGH HE MIGHT GLORY OF HIS WONDERFUL REVELATIONS, YET THE APOSTLE RATHER CHOOSETH TO GLORY OF HIS INFIRMITIES, BLAMING THE CORINTHIANS FOR FORCING HIM TO THIS BOASTING: HE PROMISETH TO COME TO THEM AGAIN; BUT YET ALTOGETHER IN THE AFFECTION OF A FATHER, ALTHOUGH HE FEA... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES— These words seem to be quoted from the law of our Saviour, Matthew 18:16 and not from the law of Moses in Deuteronomy; not only because the words are the same with those in St. Matthew, but from the likeness of the case. In Deuteronomy the rule given concerns... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT SPARE:— It is certainly a great confirmation of the veracity of the Apostles, that, when factions were raised against them, they used none of the arts of flattery, however necessary they might seem, but depended on the force of a miraculous power to reduce offenders; the pretence to which... [ Continue Reading ]
CRUCIFIED THROUGH WEAKNESS,— _With appearance of weakness, yet he liveth with the manifestation of the power of God._ The meaning of the place is this: "Though Christ in his crucifixion appeared weak and despicable, yet he now lives to shew the power of God, in the miracles and mighty works which he... [ Continue Reading ]
EXAMINE YOURSELVES, &C.— "Instead therefore of your sitting in judgment, and passing unrighteous censures upon us, as though there were no proof of Christ's speaking in me, (2 Corinthians 13:3.) or in my dear associates, look into your own hearts and ways, and bring them to the touchstone of the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
APPROVED,— _Discerning._... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE ARE WEAK, &C.— "When we seem weak, by not exerting any miraculous power to the punishment of offenders; and ye are strong in gifts and graces, in faith and good works." The word καταρτισιν, rendered _perfection,_ alludes to a building, wherein all the parts are so compacted together, as to f... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I WRITE, &C.— Dr. Heylin translates this passage very well from 2 Corinthians 13:5. _Try yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof. Are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? Unless indeed you have no proofs of i... [ Continue Reading ]
BE PERFECT,— See on 2 Corinthians 13:9 the original word being derived from the same root as the word translated _perfection_ in the former instance. See also the Reflections. Το αυτο φρονειτε, _be of one mind,_ should rather be rendered, _attend to the same thing:_ "Pursue with the greatest unanimi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,— The word 2 Corinthians 1:10. Χαρισ should rather be rendered here by _favour:_ for if _grace_ be taken for _sanctifying influences_ communicated from Christ,—which doubtless makes a great part of the idea,—it may be less easy to distinguish it from the _communion... [ Continue Reading ]