2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:1

VVOrhers together with him] That is, with God, mentioned in the last verse of the former Chapter. Now this co-opetation of the Ministers with God is not onely necessarie before they to when they prach have received grace, that they might be partakers of it; but also after they have received grace, that they may continne in it.

beseech] Or, exhor.

the grace of God in vain] By the of God he meaneth the outward means of salvation in the ministerie of the Gospel: or enlightening grace, kin the understanding, which they receive in vain, who are not thereby bettered in their life and conversation, as the earth receiveth sed, and the former and latter rain in vain, which is barren and beareth no fruit. Hebrews 6:8.

2 Corinthians 6:2

I have heard thee] See Isaiah 49:8.

a time accepted] That is, in a time of acceptation wherein God will accept us if we by faith and repentance come unto him, or in a time liked of and made choice of by God, wherein he will open the treasurs of his mercie and bountie unto us.

time] Or, season.

2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offeice] See 1 Corinthians 10:32. That is, give no just occasion of offence, or scandall: for scandall or offence, is rightly distinguished into seandalum datinm, & scandaum acceptum] a scandall given, and a scandall taken. A seandall taken is when any out prejudicat opinion, or ill affection wilfully misconstreue any speech or action of ours, and make the worst of its; here the scandall is taken, but no way given. The giving offence which the Apostle here forbiddeth is when either we speak so ambiguousty, or do any thing so indiscreetly and unseasonably that a good Christian, though otherwise wel affected to us and our ministerie, cannot but be scandalized.

2 Corinthians 6:4

approving our selves] Or, commening. In the Originall it is, we commend our selves, which though it be done in words, unlesse we be forced thereunto for the clearing of our innocencie, or justisying our calling, may seem vain, quia laus propria sordet in ore: yet to do it in th Apostles sense, to commend dour ministery by the effects of it, by our indefatigable ablours in the Gospel and sufferings for it, is most praise-wor-thy and profitable.

2 Corinthians 6:5

in tumults] Or, in tossings to and fro. The word in the Originall, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is ambiguous: for it may be referred eithr to our selves, and then it signsyeth in the uncertaintie of our state, and abode, who have no place of rest or quietnesse; or to others, and then it signifieth in tumults of commotions, such as were raised against Saint Paul at Ephesus, and Jerusalem, and at other places.

in laboues] Either which he tooke in his continuall travels. and perpetuall preaching; kor the paines he tooke to maintaint himself in his trade of Tent making, that he might not be any wayes chargeable to the Church.

2 Corinthians 6:6

By purenesse] Gr. in. The Originall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signisieth as well chastite and puritie of body, as cleannesse of hands, free from blood, bribery, and corruption by receiving gifts; it is taken alos sometimes for sinceritie: and in all these senses Saint Paul walked and converfed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, for he led both most chast life, and preached the Gospel sincerely, and made no merchandife of the word, as he elfe-where speaketh, he was also pure and cleare from the blood of all men, Acts 20, 26.

by knowledge] Gr. in.

by long-suffering] Gr. in.

by kindnesse] Gr. in.

by the holy Ghost] Gr. in.

by love unfeigned Gr. in.

2 Corinthians 6:7

By the word of truth] Gr. in.

by the power of God] Gr. in. Either by this power which manisested it self in my effectuall and powerfull ministery, or the power of God, whereby I wrought I wroughft many miracles maong you.

by the armour of righteousnesse] Gr. by the weapons of.

on the right hand and on the left] Some take the Apostles meaning to be, that himselfe was, and every good Christian ought to be, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (such as was Afteropaus in Homer, Il. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, men who could use both hands alike, and lay about them, as if both were right hands: but there is no necessitie of this exposition. For all souldiers though they fight not with both hands alike, yet they amke use of both, and they have weapons or armour on both. But the greater doubt is, what the Apostle meaneth by right hand and lest? whereunto the Greeke Scholiast answereth, that by the right hand he understandeth honour and estimation among men, and by the left hand, injuries, persecutions, and disgraces; and his meaning then is, jthat they are armed with righteousnesse or uprightnesse in both, in such fort that Satan cannot wound them on either side, sith they are neither pussed up with honour abundance and prosperitie, nor cast down by penury and adversitie. It may be the Apostle in the metaphor of right and left band alludes to the words of the Wise man, who speaks of blessings jon the right hand, and on the lest, Proverbs 3:16. As God giveth us blessings us blessings with both hands: so Christ gives us armour for both hands, to desend us from Satan, the flesh, and the world who lay at us on all fides.

2 Corinthians 6:8

By honour] Gr. glory.

as decivers] Not so indded, but reputed as deceivers or traduced for such, as Christ himself was, Matthew 27:63. for this, as S. Cypralan noteth hath been the practise of the devill in all ages, by his instruments to cast false and foule aspersions upon the most sincere and faithfull servants of Christ, ut qui consctentioesua luce clarescunt, alienis rumoribus sordidentur.

2 Corinthians 6:9

well known] Gr. acknowledged.

2 Corinthians 6:10

having nothing, and yet possessing all things] As having nothing re, yet possessing all things spe: or having nothing quoad 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, yet possessing all things, quoad 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: having not the wealth of the world in our hands, according to the substance of the things themselves; yet having the fruit and benefit of them in the supply of our necessary wants and inward contentment: or having nothing actually in our own hands, yet possessing all things in the charitie of good christians, who thinke nothing too good or too much for us at our need.

2 Corinthians 6:11

our mouth is open unto you] The opening of the mouth and heart, betokeneth a most earnest affection in him that speaketh, as it fareth commonly with them, tha are in some joy: for joy dilateth the heart, as on the contrary sorrow contracteth it.

2 Corinthians 6:12

Te are not straitned in us] you are in my heart as in a house, and that no narrow or strair house; for I have opened my whole heart to you: but you are inwardly strait-laced to me ward.

in your own bowels] According to the phrase of the Hebrew, he called those tender affections which rest in the heart bowels: as in the Epistle to Philemon, vers. 12. he requireth Philemon to receive Onesinus as his own howles, that is, as one whom he most tenderly affected.

2 Corinthians 6:13

Now for a recompense in the same] Gr. for the same recompense. The Apostle by this phrase understandeth no reward from the Corinthinas, or recompense by way of satisfaction, though the Greeke word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, seeme to import as much; but only that as good children, they should answer their father in tender love and affection: and Bernard justly taxeth those who are banckrupts in love, with ingratitude and hardnesse of heart, duri est animi amorem, si nolle impendere, nolle rependere.

2 Corinthians 6:14

unequally yoked together with unbeleevers] Gr. diversly yoked: or, drawing the other part of the yoke with. Now he rebuketh them boldly for taking part with infidels, and being fellows with them in outward idlolatry, as if it were a thing indifferent; but such, saith he, as the Lord vouchsafeth the name of his children, must keepe themselves pure, not only in minde, but also in body, and abstanine even from all appearance of Idolatry and superstition. The word in the Originall, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, may be diversly interpreted, either draw not down the beame, or any way encline to the part of the infidels. So the Greeke Scholiast. And indeed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is sometimes taken proaquilibrio lancis or trutinoe. Or it many be rendred; be no. unequally yoked, as when beasts of diverse kinds, or the same kinde, but of diverse stature and bignesse, draw together; for then the youke cannot lie equally upon both: in this sense, the Apostle may seeme to touch upon their matching with infidels. Or it may be rendred, dlteram jugi partem ne trahite, draw not th other part of the yoke with infidels, that is, be not any wayes coupled with them.

fellowship] Gr. participation.

2 Corinthians 6:15

What concord bath christ with Belial] Belial signifieth wicked, but here it is taken for Satan, as the Syriack interpreter rendereth it, who is wicked, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in a transcendent manner, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that wicked one as Christ tearmeth him.

2 Corinthians 6:16

ye are the temple of the living God] See 1 Corinthians 3:16.

I will dwell in them] Gr. among. See Leviticus 26:12. God dwelleth among us, either because Christ is become God with us, or because the Spirit dwelleth in our hearts by faith.

2 Corinthians 6:17

Wherefore come out from among them] See Isaiah 52:11. That is, estrange and separate your selves from them, have no intimate conversation or communion with them, lest thereby you be induced to the imitation of their sinnes and participation of their punishment,

2 Corinthians 6:18

And will be a Father unto you] Gr. for I will unto them for, or in stead of a father. See Jeremiah 31:1.

my sonnes] Gr. to me for, or in stead of sonnes.