2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13:1

The apostle concludes his epistle with assuring the Corinthians very tenderly, how much it would grieve him to be obliged to show his apostolic power, by inflicting any miraculous punishment on those who continued to oppose him; subjoining at the end of all proper salutations, and his solemn benediction. 2 Cor. XIII. 1, throughout.

COR. XIII. 1. THIS is the third time I am com- 2 CORINTHIANS XIII. 1. BUT I will return now from that digression which hath carried me away from what I was entering upon before. [It is] now, as I said, (chap. xii. 14,) the third time, that I tell 2 Cor. xiii. 1

And declares, that then he would not spare t

you, I am coming to you;ᵃ and as several cases will come before me on which it will be necessary to give my judgment, I assure you, I shall think myself obliged to proceed on that reasonable maxim in the Jewish constitution, (Numb. xxxv. 30; Deut. xvii. 6; chap. xix. 15,) that every word, or thing, admitted for evidence in the decision, shall be established by the concurrence of what cometh from the mouth of two or three credible witnesses. And you will remember, that I have formerly foretold you, and do foretell it now again, as if I were present the second time in person; and being absent in body, but not in spirit, I now write to those that have sinned already in any scandalous and aggravated manner, and to all the rest, that they may take notice of it, and be filled with a sacred awe, that if I come again, I will not spare [you],ᵇ as I have hitherto done; but am determined, by the Divine permission, to animadvert upon notorious offenders, by the exertion of that miraculous power with which God has endowed me. Since, after all the evidence you have already had, some of you are so strangely unreasonable, as to seek a further proof of Christ speaking by his Spirit in me, even of the authority of that glorious and almighty Saviour, who is not weak towards you, but powerful among you by what he has already wrought,ᶜ you may at length have such demonstrations of it, as may perhaps cost some of you dear. For though he was once crucified as through a state

ᵃ *The third time I tell you I am coming: πέβει σ’ το τέχωμά.] So the words may be taken, though I own them ambiguous. Perhaps this may intimate, that this was the third epistle he had wrote to them, in which he had mentioned his purpose of coming, but we cannot certainly infer it. He seems here to resume the sentence he had begun, chap xii. 14. Such interruptions are frequent in St. Paul, and in many other writers who have not a regard to an artificial dress, and do not stand to correct every little inaccuracy, but abound in quickness and variety of thought, as Mr. Locke justly observes.

ᵇ I will not spare you.] It is (as Bishop Burnet very justly observes) a great

confirmation of the veracity of the apostles, that when factions were raised against them, they used none of the arte of flattery, however necessary they might seem; but depended on the force of a miraculous power to reduce offenders; which it would have been a most absurd thing to have pretended to, if they had not really been conscious to themselves that it was engaged in their favour. Burnet on the Art. p. 62. See 1 Cor. iv. 21, noteᶠ

ᶜ Already wrought.] This may, as Mr. Cradock and others observe, very probably refer to some miraculous punishment inflicted lately on the incestuous Corinthian.

ould examine, whether they were in the faith,

of weakness, submitting to those infirmities of mortal flesh, which put him into the hands of his enemies, and waving the exertion of that miraculous energy, by which he could so soon have rescued himself, and destroyed them; nevertheless, he now liveth by the power of God the Father, whereby he obtained a glorious resurrection, and is now ascended to a seat of uncontrouled and universal authority. And thus we his apostles, though we are also weak in him, and to them who regard only external appearances, may seem contemptible, nevertheless, shall live with him by the power of God, manifested to you in our favour, to give a kind of resurrection to that apostolical authority which may have seemed for a while dormant and dead.

You examine and try me; but let me admonish you to turn the search inward, and to examine and try yourselves, that ye may certainly know, whether ye are in the faith, whether ye be true Christians or not. For if you on a strict inquiry find that you are, you will therein find a proof of my being a true apostle; as it is by means of my extraordinary gift that you are become so. Prove yourselves,ᵈ my brethren, whether you can, or cannot stand the test. Do you not know yourselves, when the subject of knowledge lies so near you, and is always before your eye? Are you not sensible that Jesus Christ is dwelling in you by the sanctifying and transforming influences of his Spirit; unless ye are mere nominal Christians, and such as, whatever your gifts be, will finally be disapprovedᵉ and rejected, as reprobate silver, that will not stand the touchstone? But whatever be the case of any of you, I hope ye shall soon know that we are not disapproved, and have not lostᶠ our evidence of the Divine

ᵈ Examine yourselves — prove yourselves.] Whether you be δοκιμω, such as can stand the test; or αδοκιμω, such as cannot, for that is the proper import of the word which we render reprobates. The difference between σιωαζῶ, and δοκιμαζῶ, seems to be gradual: examine and thoroughly prove.

ᵉ Unless ye are disapproved.] Dr. Guyse paraphrases the words μ μ π αδοκιμω, “unless there be something very disapproveable in you;” and it certainly ex-

presses the sense with great propriety; but as the apostle supposes this to be something which would prove that Christ was not dwelling with and among them, it seems that it must be extended to the sense given in the paraphrase.

ᶠ Have not lost, &c.] It seems that the possibility of losing extraordinary gift by the abuse of them, is finely insinuate in this oblique manner; and it might, if rightly understood, have its weight with many of them.

VOL. 4.

that they might have a proof of his apostolica cr. presence and approbation. But I am far from xi. desiring to produce such evidences of it as would Cor. be grievous to you; and can truly say, that I iii. 7 wish to God ye may do no evil in any respect, and not that we may be manifested [as] approved, by such awful methods as those to which I refer: but on the contrary, that ye may do what is good, beautiful, and amiable, that which will adorn your profession in the most effectual manner; though we should be as if we were disapproved, and upon a level with those who have no testimonials of an extraordinary mis- 8 sion to produce. For we are not able to do any thing against the interest of that important system of truth which God hath intrusted us with; but must strenuously act for the service of the truth, and support of the gospel, and not act by personal inclinations and affections, of resentment on the one hand, or tenderness on the other. 9 I wish the regularity of your behaviour at all events, as I declared above; for we rejoice, when we are weak, or seem so by not exerting any miraculous powers to the purposes we have hinted; and when ye, our dear converts and brethren, are strong in gifts and graces in faith, and good works: and this also we wish [even] your being set in perfect good order.8 Your entire reformation would give us the greatest pleasure imaginable, a pleasure far beyond what we could derive from the most astonishing interpositions of God, to chastise those 10 that rebel against us. Therefore upon the whole, I write these things thus largely being absent, that when I am present, I may not be obliged to act severely according to the Divine and extraordinary power which the Lord Jesus Christ hath given me, for the edification of the several members of his church, and not for the destruction of men’s lives and comforts. And therefore it is that I give you this warning; in order to prevent what would otherwise be grievous to myself, as well as to you. 11 As for what remains, my dear brethren, farewell; and may all joy and happiness ever attend you. And that this may be the case, let it be 8 Being set in perfect good order.] This I though something c think the import of κελαβίων, that perfect done towards it. reformation which was not yet wrought,

apostle gives them his solemn benediction.

your great care, that ye may be perfect, that ye may arrive at the highest degrees of goodness. May you all be comforted with those strong consolations which true Christianity suggests, and exhorted and animated by the instructions it inculcates. Attend to the same thing,ʰ pursue with the greatest unanimity of heart, and inenseness of affection, that which ought to be the great end of all our schemes and designs, the care of glorifying God, and adorning the gospel. And as you have, in some instances, seemed to have forgotten how essential it is to true Christianity, that its professors should abstain from mutual injuries, and cultivate unfeigned friendship, let me urge it upon you that ye be peaceful, candid and affectionate in your sentiments; and the God of love and peace will graciously own you as his children, and be favourably with you, and fix his residence among you. And in token of this entire harmony, and endeared affection, salute each other according to the custom of your assemblies, with an holy kiss as a proper expression of the purest and most ardent love. All the saints, that is, the Christians here, in the place from whence I now write, salute you with the sincerest affection, and will always rejoice to hear of your peace, prosperity, and edification.

I conclude all with my most affectionate good wishes for you; even that the perpetual favour of the Lord Jesus Christ,ⁱ the great Head of the church, in whom all the fulness of grace dwells; and the constant and peculiar love of God the Father, and the most abundant communion and fellowship of the Holy Ghost, in the richest anointings of his gifts and graces, may [be] with you, and rest upon you all continually, henceforth and for ever. Amen: may God ratify the important wish, so as to answer and exceed your most exalted hopes.

ʰ Attend to the same thing.] So, το αιθό φροντίτι should undoubtedly be rendered, rather than be of one mind; which in some respects might have been impossible. See my Sermon on Candour and Unanimity, p. 3, and Phil. ii. 2, and note there.

ⁱ Favour of the Lord Jesus Christ.] I express χαρις by favour here; for if grace be taken for sanctifying influences communicated from Christ, which to be sure

makes a great part of the idea,) it may be less easy to distinguish it from the communion of the Spirit. It is with great reason, that this comprehensive and instructive benediction is pronounced just before our assemblies for public worship are dismissed; and it is a very indecent thing to see so many quitting them, or getting into postures of remove, before this short sentence can be ended. Compare Numb. vi. 26, 27.

Reflections on the concluding section.

IMPROVEMENT.

SECRET. ADORED be the name of that compassionate Redeemer, who was once crucified as through weakness; and when he could have commanded more than twelve legions of angels to his rescue, voluntarily submitted to be seized and bound, like an helpless mortal, subject to superior force, and thus led away to torture and death! He lives for ever by the power of God, by a life derived from him: may we, weak as we are in ourselves, live through him to all the purposes of the Christian life.

And that this life may flourish abundantly, let us be often engaged to examine ourselves; since it will be so great a scandal, and so great a snare, to be strangers at home. Do we not indeed after all know ourselves? Let us search, whether Jesus Christ be in us? Whether he be formed in our hearts, whether he live and act in us by his Holy Spirit? Else shall we be treated as reprobate silver, shall be justly rejected of God, and no gifts or privileges will avail us. Having gained the sure evidences of sincere goodness in ourselves, we may, with the greater cheerfulness and confidence, pray for our brethren; and let us offer the apostle’s petition for them, that they may do no evil, but every thing that is just and honourable, beautiful and lovely: never desiring to exalt ourselves on the mistakes and follies of others; but on the contrary, wishing their perfection, and labouring to the utmost to promote it.

How charming a spirit breathes in those sentences in which the apostle takes his leave of the Corinthians! So much wisdom and goodness, that one is almost grieved, that he who bids farewell in such an engaging manner, does it so soon. Let us however bear his parting words in mind. When ministers are leaving those among whom they have laboured, when Christian friends are separated from each other, let this be their common petition and care, that they may be improved and comforted; that unanimity and peace may prevail and increase; and that the God of peace may be with them all: that he may be with them in those happy effects, and blessed operations, which will be the result of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.

How often hath this comprehensive benediction been pronounced? Let us study it more and more; that we may value it proportionably, that we set ourselves to deliver, or to receive it, with a becoming solemnity; with eyes and hearts lifted up to God, who, when out of Zion he commandeth the blessing, bestows in it life for evermore. Amen!

END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME.