THE THIRD _time_] see on 2 Corinthians 12:14. TWO OR THREE WITNESSES] Quoted from Deuteronomy 19:5. It seems to mean 'in accordance with the principles of justice I will act.' But some think the three witnesses mean the Apostle's three visits, and that he is interpreting the quotation allegorically,... [ Continue Reading ]
The Apostle announces a third visit, and exhorts them to repentance. He expresses his desire for their growth in grace. PARAPHRASE. '(1) This is the third visit I am about to pay you. On this occasion I shall proceed to punish these gross sinners after hearing all the evidence. (2) I repeat now wha... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HERETOFORE HAVE SINNED] i.e. old offenders still impenitent. ALL OTHER] RV 'all the rest.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH TO YOU-WARD IS NOT WEAK] Christ's power had already been made manifest among them: cp. 1 Corinthians 1:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH WEAKNESS] i.e. in the human weakness he assumed of his own accord: cp. Philippians 2:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
EXAMINE YOURSELVES] i.e. not me. REPROBATES] counterfeits. PARAPHRASE. 'Do not be so anxious to test me. Test yourselves. Do you not know that Christ's Spirit is in you, guiding your life, unless you are false disciples? I hope, at any rate, that you will learn that I am no false Apostle.'... [ Continue Reading ]
AS REPROBATES] i.e. as if we had no authority, because we shall not need to show it.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'We pray to God that you may lead a pure and holy life, not to do us credit, but because it is right, even though we be like false apostles. (8) For our authority is given us to advance what is right, and not to hinder it. (9) We rejoice when we have no need to reprove you, for then your... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST THE TRUTH] He has no pleasure in their evil-doing, although it gives him opportunity to exercise his authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE ARE WEAK] i.e. when our authority is in abeyance: cp. 2 Corinthians 13:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO EDIFICATION, AND NOT TO DESTRUCTION] RV 'for building up, and not for casting down.' _(E) 13:11-14. CONCLUSION AND BENEDICTION_ The Apostle gives them his parting greeting, and bids them try to live a pure and holy life. He sends greetings from their Christian brethren, and invokes the blessing... [ Continue Reading ]
FAREWELL] RM 'rejoice.' A cheerful parting message.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HOLY KISS] the token of brotherhood in the early Church: cp. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE, etc.] the fullest of St. Paul's benedictions. THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST] see 2 Corinthians 8:9. THE LOVE OF GOD] Perhaps including both the sense of His love for us and the love which He inspires in us. THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY GHOST] the sense of His presence and guidance. _Be_... [ Continue Reading ]