View 2nd Corinthians 7 in the note window.
1: Let us cleanse ourselves - This is the latter part of the
exhortation, which was proposed, (2Co 6:1), and resumed, (2Co 6:14).
From all pollution of the flesh - All outward sin.
And of the spirit - All inward. Yet let us not rest in negative religion,
but perfect holiness - Carrying it to the height in all its branches, and
enduring to the end in the loving fear of God, the sure foundation of
all holiness.
2: Receive us - The sum of what is said in this, as well as in the
tenth and following chapters. We have hurt no man - In his person.
We have corrupted no man - In his principles. We have defrauded no
man - Of his property. In this he intimates likewise the good he had
done them, but with the utmost modesty, as it were not looking upon it.
3: I speak not to condemn you - Not as if I accused you
of laying this to my charge. I am so far from thinking so
unkindly of you, that ye are in our hearts, to live and die
with you - That is, I could rejoice to spend all my days with you.
4: I am filled with comfort - Of this he treats,(2Co 7:6), &c.; of his joy, (2Co 7:7), &c.; of both, (2Co 7:13).
5: Our flesh - That is, we ourselves. Had no rest from
without - From the heathens. Were fightings - Furious and cruel
oppositions. From within - From our brethren. Were fears - Lest
they should be seduced.
7: Your earnest desire - To rectify what had been amiss.
Your grief - For what had offended God, and troubled me.
8: I did repent - That is, I felt a tender sorrow for having
grieved you, till I saw the happy effect of it.
10: The sorrow of the world - Sorrow that arises from worldly
considerations. Worketh death - Naturally tends to work or occasion
death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal.
11: How great diligence it wrought in you - Shown in all the following
particulars. Yea, clearing of yourselves - Some had been more, some less,
faulty; whence arose these various affections. Hence their apologizing
and indignation, with respect to themselves; their fear and
desire, with respect to the apostle; their zeal and revenge, with
respect to the offender, yea, and themselves also.
Clearing of yourselves - From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin.
Indignation - That ye had not immediately corrected the offender.
Fear - Of God's displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod.
Vehement desire - To see me again. Zeal - For the glory of God, and the
soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge - Ye took a kind of holy revenge upon
yourselves, being scarce able to forgive yourselves. In all things ye - As
a church. Have approved yourselves to be pure - That is, free from blame,
since ye received my letter.
12: It was not only, or chiefly, for the sake of the incestuous
person, or of his father; but to show my care over you.
