BibleWare/BibWare.bin/bibref/mhc.exe/2CO.TXT

Text File | 1996-06-12 | 44KB | 785 lines

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** The second epistle to the Corinthians probably was written
about a year after the first. Its contents are closely connected
with those of the former epistle. The manner in which the letter
St. Paul formerly wrote had been received, is particularly
noticed; this was such as to fill his heart with gratitude to
God, who enabled him fully to discharge his duty towards them.
Many had shown marks of repentance, and amended their conduct,
but others still followed their false teachers; and as the
apostle delayed his visit, from his unwillingness to treat them
with severity, they charged him with levity and change of
conduct. Also, with pride, vain-glory, and severity, and they
spake of him with contempt. In this epistle we find the same
ardent affection towards the disciples at Corinth, as in the
former, the same zeal for the honour of the gospel, and the same
boldness in giving Christian reproof. The first six chapters are
chiefly practical: the rest have more reference to the state of
the Corinthian church, but they contain many rules of general
application.

* The apostle blesses God for comfort in, and deliverance out of
troubles. (1-11) He professes his own and his fellow-labourers'
integrity. (12-14) Gives reasons for his not coming to them.
(15-24)

#1-11 We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience,
and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are
given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our
Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts
come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks
peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he
comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit,
and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the
broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to
give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God
bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that
we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to support
such as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought
so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God,
who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were
not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord.
Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under
obligation to trust in God for time to come. And it is our duty,
not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and
thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits
received. Thus both trials and mercies will end in good to
ourselves and others.

#12-14 Though, as a sinner, the apostle could only rejoice and
glory in Christ Jesus, yet, as a believer, he might rejoice and
glory in being really what he professed. Conscience witnesses
concerning the steady course and tenor of the life. Thereby we
may judge ourselves, and not by this or by that single act. Our
conversation will be well ordered, when we live and act under
such a gracious principle in the heart. Having this, we may
leave our characters in the Lord's hands, but using proper means
to clear them, when the credit of the gospel, or our usefulness,
calls for it.

#15-24 The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and
inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be
careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they
should not resolve, but on careful thought; and they will not
change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's
promises more certain: his giving them through Christ, assures
us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the
life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The
Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel:
the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life;
and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting
joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be
unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what
effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are
owing to faith; and our comfort and joy must flow from faith.
The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, secure
from delusion in so important a matter.
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* Reasons for the apostle not coming to Corinth. (1-4)
Directions about restoring the repentant offender. (5-11) An
account of his labours and success in spreading the gospel of
Christ. (12-17)

#1-4 The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them;
and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to
their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be
glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should
always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it
must be given.

#5-11 The apostle desires them to receive the person who had
done wrong, again into their communion; for he was aware of his
fault, and much afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for
sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not
only was there danger last Satan should get advantage, by
tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and
so drive him to despair; but against the churches and the
ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians
as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success
of the ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be
used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on
the one hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the
other hand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to
make a bad use of our mistakes.

#12-17 A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the
praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a
good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient
triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so
the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a
sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a
savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto
others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it
quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and
sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal
life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the
apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of
ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of
God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity,
as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him,
and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in
this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under
the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak
we in Christ and of Christ.
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* The preference of the gospel to the law given by Moses. (1-11)
The preaching of the apostle was suitable to the excellency and
evidence of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
(12-18)

#1-11 Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human
applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. Nothing
is more delightful to faithful ministers, or more to their
praise, than the success of their ministry, as shown in the
spirits and lives of those among whom they labour. The law of
Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed
abroad there. Nor was it written in tables of stone, as the law
of God given to Moses, but on the fleshy (not fleshly, as
fleshliness denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, #Eze
36:26|. Their hearts were humbled and softened to receive this
impression, by the new-creating power of the Holy Spirit. He
ascribes all the glory to God. And remember, as our whole
dependence is upon the Lord, so the whole glory belongs to him
alone. The letter killeth: the letter of the law is the
ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the
gospel, we s