View 2nd Corinthians 6 in the note window.
1: We then not only beseech, but as fellow - labourers
with you, who are working out your own salvation, do also
exhort you, not to receive the grace of God - Which we have
been now describing. In vain - We receive it by faith; and
not in vain, if we add to this, persevering holiness.
2: For he saith - The sense is, As of old there was a
particular time wherein God was pleased to pour out his
peculiar blessing, so there is now. And this is the particular
time: this is a time of peculiar blessing.(Isa 49:8).
3: Giving, as far as in us lies, no offence, that
the ministry be not blamed on our account.
4: But approving ourselves as the ministers of God - Such
as his ministers ought to be. In much patience - Shown,
- In afflictions, necessities, distresses - All which are
general terms.
- In stripes, imprisonments, tumults - Which are particular
sorts of affliction, necessity, distress
- In labours, watchings, fastings - Voluntarily endured.
All
these are expressed in the plural number, to denote a variety
of them. In afflictions, several ways to escape may appear,
though none without difficulty in necessities, one only, and
that a difficult one; in distresses, none at all appears.
5: In tumults - The Greek word implies such attacks as
a man cannot stand against, but which bear him hither and
thither by violence.
6: By prudence - Spiritual divine; not what the world
terms so. Worldly prudence is the practical use of worldly
wisdom: divine prudence is the due exercise of grace, making
spiritual understanding go as far as possible. By love
unfeigned - The chief fruit of the Spirit.
7: By the convincing and converting power of God
- Accompanying his word; and also attesting it by divers
miracles. By the armour of righteousness on the right
hand and the left - That is, on all sides; the panoply or
whole armour of God.
8: By honour and dishonour - When we are present.
By evil report and good report - When we are absent.
Who could bear honour and good report, were it not
balanced by dishonour? As deceivers - Artful, designing
men. So the world represents all true ministers of
Christ. Yet true - Upright, sincere, in the sight of God.
9: As unknown - For the world knoweth us not, as it
knew him not. Yet well known - To God, and to those who are
the seals of our ministry. As dying, yet behold - Suddenly,
unexpectedly, God interposes, and we live.
10: As sorrowing - For our own manifold imperfections,
and for the sins and sufferings of our brethren. Yet always
rejoicing - In present peace, love, power, and a sure hope of
future glory. As having nothing, yet possessing all things
- For all things are ours, if we are Christ's. What a
magnificence of thought is this!
11: From the praise of the Christian ministry, which he
began (2Co 2:14), he now draws his affectionate exhortation.
O ye Corinthians - He seldom uses this appellation. But it has
here a peculiar force. Our mouth is opened toward you - With
uncommon freedom, because our heart is enlarged - In tenderness.
12: Ye are not straitened in us - Our heart is wide enough
to receive you all. But ye are straitened in your own bowels
- Your hearts are shut up, and so not capable of the blessings
ye might enjoy.
13: Now for a recompence of the same - Of my parental
tenderness. I speak as to my children - I ask nothing hard or
grievous. Be ye also enlarged - Open your hearts, first to God,
and then to us, so (2Co 8:5), that God may "dwell in you,"(2Co 6:16,7:1); and that ye may "receive us," (2Co 7:2).
14: Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers - Christians with Jews or
heathens. The apostle particularly speaks of marriage. But the reasons
he urges equally hold against any needless intimacy with them. Of the
five questions that follow, the three former contain the argument; the
two latter, the conclusion.
15: What concord hath Christ - Whom ye serve.
With Belial - To whom they belong.
16: What agreement hath the temple of God with idols - If God would
not endure idols in any part of the land wherein he dwelt, how much
less, under his own roof! He does not say, with the temple of idols,
for idols do not dwell in their worshippers. As God hath said - To his
ancient church, and in them to all the Israel of God. I will dwell in
them, and walk in them - The former signifying his perpetual presence; the
latter, his operation. And I will be to them a God, and they shall be to
me a people - The sum of the whole gospel covenant.(Le 26:11), &c.
17: Touch not the unclean person - Keep at the utmost distance from
him. And I will receive you - Into my house and family.(Isa 52:11,Zep 3:19,20).
18: And ye shall be to me for sons and for daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty - The promise made to Solomon, (1Ch 28:6), is here applied to
all believers; as the promise made particularly to Joshua is applied to
them, (Heb 13:5). Who can express the worth, who can conceive the
dignity, of this divine adoption? Yet it belongs to all who believe the
gospel, who have faith in Christ. They have access to the Almighty; such
free and welcome access, as a beloved child to an indulgent father. To him
they may fly for aid in every difficulty, and from him obtain a supply in
all their wants.(Isa 43:6).
