CHAPTER VI. _We should not receive the grace of God in vain, having such_ _promises of support from him_, 1, 2. _We should act so as to bring no disgrace on the Gospel_, 3. _How the apostles behaved themselves, preached, suffered, and_ _rejoiced_, 4-10. _St. Paul's affectionate concern for the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:2. _FOR HE SAITH_] That is, God hath said it, by the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 49:8; which place the apostle quotes _verbatim et literatim_ from the _Septuagint_. And from this we may at once see what is the _accepted time_, and what _the day of_ _salvation_. The _advent of the M... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:3. _GIVING NO OFFENCE_] The word προσκοπη, read προσκομμα, Romans 14:13, signifies a _stumbling block_ in general, or any thing over which a man stumbles or falls; and here means any _transgression_ or _scandal_ that might take place among the ministers, or the Christians thems... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:4. _BUT IN ALL THINGS APPROVING OURSELVES_] The apostle now proceeds to show how conscientiously himself and his fellow labourers acted, in order to render the ministry of reconciliation effectual to the salvation of men. They not only gave no offence in any thing, but they lab... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:5. _IN STRIPES, IN IMPRISONMENTS_] Of these the history of the Acts of the Apostles gives ample testimony; and there were doubtless many instances of persecution in various forms which are not on record. _IN TUMULTS_] ακαταστασιαις. _Insurrections_ raised against them because... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:6. _BY PURENESS_] εν αγνοτητι. In _simplicity_ of intention, and _purity of affection_; together with that _chastity_ and _holiness_ of life which the Gospel enjoins. _BY KNOWLEDGE_] Of the Divine mysteries. _BY LONG-SUFFERING_] Under all provocations. _BY KINDNESS_] To our... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:7. _BY THE WORD OF TRUTH_] The doctrine of truth received immediately from God, and faithfully and affectionately preached to men. _BY THE POWER OF GOD_] Confirming this doctrine, not only by the miracles which we were enabled to work, but also by the application of that truth... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:8. _BY HONOUR AND DISHONOUR_] By going through both; sometimes respected, sometimes despised. _BY EVIL REPORT AND GOOD REPORT_] Sometimes praised, at other times calumniated. _AS DECEIVERS_] Said to carry about a false doctrine for our secular emolument. _AND_ YET _TRUE_] De... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:9. _AS UNKNOWN_] Persons who are to be suspected as harbouring dark designs; persons of neither birth, parentage, nor respectable connections in life; _AND_ YET _WELL KNOWN_] _Proved_ by our whole conduct to have no such designs, and demonstrated to be holy, upright, and usefu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:10. _AS SORROWFUL_] Considerate men supposing, from our persecuted state and laborious occupation, (often destitute of the necessaries of life; seldom enjoying its conveniences; and scarcely ever, its comforts,) that we must be the most miserable of all men. _YET ALWAY REJOICI... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:11. _O YE CORINTHIANS, OUR MOUTH IS OPEN UNTO YOU_] I speak to you with the utmost _freedom_ and _fluency_, because of my affection for you. _OUR HEART IS ENLARGED._] It is expanded to take you and all your interests in; and to keep you in the most affectionate remembrance. T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:12. _YE ARE NOT STRAITENED IN US_] That is, Ye have not a _narrow_ place in our affections: the metaphor here is taken from the case of a person pent up in a small or narrow place, where there is scarcely room to breathe. _YE ARE STRAITENED IN YOUR OWN BOWELS._] I have not the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:13. _NOW FOR A RECOMPENSE IN THE SAME_] That you may, in some sort, _repay me_ for my affection towards you, _I speak to you_ _as unto_ my _children_, whom I have a right to command, _be ye also_ _enlarged_-love me as I love you.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _BE YE NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS_] This is a military term: keep in your own _ranks_; do not leave the _Christian_ community to join in that of the _heathens_. The verb ετεροζυγειν signifies to leave one's own rank, place, or order, and go into another; and here it must... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _WHAT AGREEMENT HATH THE TEMPLE OF GOD WITH IDOLS_] Nothing could appear more abominable to a Jew than an idol in the temple of God: here, then, could be no agreement; the worship of the two is wholly incompatible. An _idolater_ never worships the true God; a _Christian_ never worships an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM_] Is it not plain from this and the following verse that God would be their God only on the ground of _their taking him for such_, and that this depended on their being _separated_ from the works and workers of iniquity? for God could not _inhabit in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 6:18. _WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU_] I will act towards you as the most affectionate father can act towards his most tender and best beloved child. _AND YE SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS_] Ye shall all be of the _household_ of God, the _family_ of heaven; ye shall be _holy, happy_... [ Continue Reading ]