2 Corinthians 4
DODD2 Corinthians 4:1-6
The apostle declares his courage, and disclaims all sinister views and all distrust of success, in pursuing the glorious ministry he had described: being persuaded, that such a gospel could not be rejected, but in consequence of the most fatal prejudices. 2 Cor. IV. 1—6.
SECT. 2 CORINTHIANS IV. 1. 2 Cor. IV. 1. SUCH are the distinguished glories of the THEREFORE, gospel dispensation, and its effects on the seeing we have hearts of those who sincerely embrace it. And
e apost e declares, that having found mercy he amte not : 407
therefore having been intrusted with such a ministration, as we have obtained mercy [of God] to be thus honoured, we faint not under any of those difficulties we are called out to encounter; nor in any degree desit from our glorious enterprise.ᵃ But we have renounced, and set at defiance, the hidden things of shame;ᵇ in which the priests of Paganism deal so much, in order to impose on the people over whom they preside, practising in their mysteries so many impure, and so many foolish rites. We need not any of their artifices; not walking in craftiness, as some would insinuate that we do, nor deceitfully corrupting and disguising the word of God; but by the manifestation of the genuine and unsophisticated truth, recommending ourselves to every man’s conscience, we steadily and constantly act, as in the all penetrating sight of God; and therefore are willing, that all the world should know what the arts and mysteries of our ministry are.
But if our gospel, after such open and generous conduct on our side, be still under a veil too,ᶜ as the law is with respect to so many; it is veiled to those that are perishing; they must be very bad men, and in a very dangerous state, who hearing it preached as it is by us, cannot enter into the main design and spirit of it, and are not inwardly engaged to reverence it. Among whom undoubtedly, that is, in the number of such unhappy wretches [are] all [they] whose unbelieving minds Satan, who herein acts as the god of this world,ᵈ whose sub-
glorious enterprise.] them at defiance," seem still more li presses the drawing to express the original.
uous undertaking, in culties attending it. den things of shame.] and this of lewd pracosition between this ng seems much more hrase; though to be extend to all dishonest ners. The word aπurender renounce, does r had any thing to do but the words, “set c If our gospel be under a veil to δ’ και ετι κεκαλομμνει το ιωγγελει is most literally rendered thus; has so evident a reference to wh said above, of the veil on the faces Jews, that it seems by all means exp to translate it thus, rather than hid. text is justly urged by Dr. Scott, ( ian Life, Vol. V. 320,) as a proof perspicuity of the apostle’s writings matters of importance to our salvati ᵈ The god of this world] That i ancient Christian writers should im
And that he preached not himself, but Christ Jesus the Lord.
jects the children of this world are, hath blinded by its dazzling vanities and allurements, lest the lustre of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of the invisible God in all his perfections and glories, should beam forth upon them, and should pain, or rather awaken, those weak minds, darkened by so many gross and unhappy prejudices, and slumbering to their everlasting destruction. But such as I have before described, is our conduct, however perversely it may be mistaken, or misrepresented. For we preach not ourselves; we aim not at exalting our own authority, at extending our reputation, or securing to ourselves any secular advantage; but, renouncing all such views, and claims, and desires, we preach Christ Jesus, as the supreme Lord of his church; and, instead of setting ourselves up for your masters, we declare ourselves to be your servants for the sake of Jesus; and are willing, out of regard to you, and above all out of duty to him, to stoop to the humblest offices of love, by which we may be serviceable to you in your most important interests. And it is no wonder, that we are thus disposed, considering the view of things which God hath given us by his grace; for God, who by his powerful word, in the first creation of this world, commanded the light instantaneously to shine out of that darkness which covered the whole face of the deep, (Gen. i. 5,) hath also shined into our once prejudiced and benighted hearts, and particularly into mine, by the internal operation of his blessed Spirit, [to impart] the lustre of the knowledge of God’s glory, discovered, as we before observed, in the
God the Father, is one of the most things I have met with. See Dr. in loc. and Dr. Edwards, Exercit. I doubt not but Satan is intended, should it be proved, as has been inti- that this malignant spirit was called by the Jews bans. the God minds, I should think it a beautiful nation.
each not ourselves.] Grotius ex- it thus, “we do not preach that lords, but that Christ is so;” and certainly comprehended But I the phrase may well be taken in the extent, expressed in the paraphrase.
To preach themselves making themselves, in their preaching; as phrase often used, ma so as to direct men’s e To impart the lustre God’s glory.] I recuse very well signify the God; but the followin’ ed me to the more lit is more proper to spes of the knowledge of the face of Christ. I πρεσ φωλισμο according that lustre.
Reflections on the apostle’s disinterestedness and courage.
God, in the face of face of our Lord Jesus Christ,⁸ from thence sect. Jesus Christ. reflected upon us, and from us to you, for the vi. important purposes of your sanctification and 2 Cor. salvation. iv. 6
IMPROVEMENT.
LET all who are honoured with the ministry of the gospel, verse learn from the apostle, courage and fidelity; remembering they ¹ are continually in the sight and presence of God. Let them therefore renounce with abhorrence, that craft which so many who have called themselves Christian priests, have studied, and ² labour to govern their whole conduct by such apparent principles of integrity and honour, that they may commend themselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
This end will be much promoted, if they learn to lay aside all ⁵ sinister views of interest and ambition, of human applause, or a dominion over men’s consciences; and putting on that humble character so amiably illustrated in the apostle Paul’s writings, every where, with all loyal affection preach Christ, as the great Lord and Head of the church; and declare, and approve themselves the willing servants of souls for his sake. So humbling themselves, they will be exalted in the eyes of God and man; and will reap those heart felt pleasures now, and those honours, emoluments, and delights hereafter, which will infinitely more than indemnify them for all they may resign; and exceed not only the low apprehensions of the servants of mammon, in Christ’s livery, but their own most elevated conceptions.
Let every reader seriously examine himself as to the knowledge he has of this gospel, and the degree in which he has felt a sense of its glory and excellence upon his heart; solemnly considering, that if the lustre and efficacy of the gospel be hidden from ³ him, it is a sad sign, that he is himself a lost creature, and is like to be lost to God and happiness for ever; he is the captive of Satan, blinded by him as the god of this world, and in the probable ⁴ way to be led on to unseen, but irretrievable destruction. Dreadful situation! which might indeed occasion absolute despair, were it not for the views which the gospel gives us, of that God, who in the beginning of the creation commanded the light to shine ⁶ out of darkness: who can yet say, Let there be light, and there shall be light in the most benighted soul, and the lustre of the
⁸ In the face of Jesus Christ.] Some would render τραυμα person; but it so evidently signifies face in the context, (chap. iii. 13, 18,) that it seemed much better to render it face; though the glory here said to be
reflected from his face, is undoubtedly that which is manifested in his person, in the union of Deity with humanity, and all the wonderful things he has done and suffered in consequence of it.
VOL. 4.
e acknowledges that we have the treasure in earth
glorious knowledge of God in the person of Christ Let this Divine interposition be earnestly im that it may be imparted, before the blinded capti to eternal ruin, to blackness of darkness for ever.
2 Corinthians 4:7
The apostle freely acknowledges his own infirmiti the strength communicated to him from God, as port under the extremest trials; over which h language of the strongest faith. 2 Cor. IV. 7
2 CORINTHIANS IV. 7.
I HAVE spoken to you of the excellence of the gospel, representing it as a most valuable treasure; and indeed it is so rich a blessing, that the highest angel in heaven might think it an honour to be employed in dispensing it. But such is the conduct of Providence in this respect, that we have this invaluable treasure in earthen vessels: feeble creatures, who dwell in mortal bodies, and are surrounded with numberless infirmities, are employed in dispensing it to us; that so the excellency of the power, by which its great and important ends are answered, may appear to be of God, and not of us; who are so far from being able to add efficacy to our own labours, that it is wonderful how we are enabled even to sustain them. [We are] indeed in every respect a greatly afflicted; b but through the Divine care over us, we are not utterly overpressed c with the weight and variety of our trials: we are often brought into dubious circumstances; but, blessed be God, we are not in despair; [We are] continually persecuted by men, but we are not forsaken of
a In every respect we are afflicted, &c.] This section may seem a digression; but nothing could be more pertinent to the apostle’s grand purpose. He aimed at recovering the affections of these Corinthians which were much alienated from him; for this purpose he freely opens his heart towards them, and tenderly represents the many and grievous pressures and hardships to which love to souls, and to theirs, among the rest, exposed him. This
I take to be the true key to this beautiful and pathetic passage.
b We are afflicted.] I apprehend the apostle here to speak with some peculiar regard to his own case; yet not so as to exclude that of his brethren, which undoubtedly did very much resemble it. Compare 1 Cor. iv. 9.
c Not utterly overpressed.] The word συνεχωριστη properly signifies, crushed in a strut passage.
t at t e power might appear to be of God,
God ; we are thrown down by our enemies, yet we are not entirely destroyed by them ; but animated from on high, we spring up again, and renew the combat with increasing vigour. We are always bearing about with us, in the body, the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ ; so that the cruelties which were exercised in putting him to death, seem to be acted over again upon us, by the rage of the enemy ; yet all this is in effect, not that an immediate period should be put to our life and ministry, as they desire, but that the life also of Jesus, now triumphant above all hostile power, may be more evidently manifested in the preservation of this our feeble body, which enemies, so many and mighty, are continually endeavouring to destroy. For we who live, those of us, the apostles and ministers of Christ, who still survive, are continually delivered over to death for the sake of the Lord Jesus, and as it were, every day led out to a new martyrdom in his cause ; but so many new and unexpected deliverances arise, that it seems as if these dangers were permitted on purpose, that, as I said before, the life also and power of the blessed Jesus, our Divine Saviour, may be manifested and demonstrated, in supporting our mortal and feeble flesh in the midst of all these assaults, and perpetuating our lives from year to year through so many successive dangers, which await us wherever we come. So that on the whole I may say, that death worketh continually to glorify his name in us, but life in you ; while you are called to live for his honour, we may be said to serve our Redeemer by bearing for his sake repeated deaths.
But we endure it all with resolution and cheerfulness, having the same spirit of faith, by which good men of old were animated, in their most active labours, and most painful sufferings ; according to what is written, (Psal. cxvi. 10,) I have believed, and therefore have I spoken,⁴
⁴ I have believed, and therefore have I spoken.] As for the quotation here, some think there is an allusion to the confidence which David expresses in the preceding words, of walking before the Lord in the land of the living ; as if the a ostle had intended to say, we also shall in a nobler sense do it. Mr. Pierce supposes the Spirit of faith, here spoken of, is the Spirit of Jesus, which enabled him through faith in God to preach that doctrine which he knew would provoke the rage of a wicked
and the abundant grace might redound to the 1
we also cordially believe the certain truth of what we teach, and therefore go on to speak our important message, whatever may be the consequence, supported by this inward consciousness of our integrity, and animated by a powerful sense of duty towards God, and the hope of the most glorious reward from his bountiful grace. Those hopes rise to complete and everlasting happiness; which we continually pursue, as knowing, that if we persevere in that service with which he hath honoured us, he who raised up the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead by his almighty power, will also raise us up by Jesus, whom he will send at the last day, commissioned to accomplish this great work; and that then he will present [us] with you, before the presence of his glory with exceeding great joy, in each other, and in him; and will introduce us to that heavenly kingdom, to the prospects of which he hath called us by that gospel which we have preached, and which you have believed. For all these great things [are] prepared, not merely on our account, but for your sakes, that the overflowing grace being complete in all its diffusive extent, and exalted degrees, might abound by the thanksgiving of many, even of countless multitudes, who shall share for ever in it, to the glory of God, the great original and end of all.
IMPROVEMENT.
Let us adore the wisdom and goodness of God, in sending us 7 the gospel treasure in earthen vessels, in employing our fellow mortals, rather than angels, under the character of his messengers to us; by which means we are taught more to depend on God for that efficacy of power that renders them successful; to acknowledge his hand in animating and preserving them, and are kept in such an exercise of faith, as is in this present world most honourable to God, and most profitable to us. Let
world, so as to end in his death; and he stands in the psalm, is, “Though I have undertakes to prove in his third Dissertation, that the exviᵗ Psalm, in its original sense, is to be understood as spoken by the Psalmist in the person of the Messiah. But I see no necessity for urging this. The simpler sense of the passage, as it stands in the psalm, is, “Though I have been in very great affliction, and sometimes almost depressed, yet faith in God hath supported me, and put this song to praise into my mouth.” In this sense of the words nothing could be more natural, than for St. Paul to adopt them.
Reflections on the divine supports the apostles experienced.
the mortality of ministers be suitably remembered, by themselves and others, and improved to the best purposes; and let us take care that we do not think the less honourably of the treasure on account of the weakness of these vessels in which its great Proprietor has thought fit to lodge it.
Let it encourage them, who are struggling with the difficulties of that arduous and important work, to think on those refreshments which the apostles experienced; in consequence of which, though afflicted, they were not depressed, and though persecuted, appeared not to be forsaken; but could boast, that the support of their lives, amidst so many pressing dangers, was a demonstration of the life of Christ. We may indeed all say this, with respect to the support of the spiritual life, in the midst of so many difficulties. Having obtained help from him, we continue until this day; and it is because he lives, that we live also. Confiding therefore in him, let us exert ourselves vigorously in this holy warfare to which we are called; and strenuously endeavour to maintain our ground against all the enemies who press hard to overbear and destroy us.
And that we may be thus animated, let us labour to engrave on our hearts a more lively and assured belief of the great and important things of which we speak, and hear; and that not only in the general, but in particular instances. Let us labour to feel at once their evidence, and their energy; having the same spirit of faith which wrought in the apostles and prophets, and engaged them to discharge their office with such distinguished fidelity, fervour and zeal. Especially let us maintain such believing apprehensions of this great and comprehensive truth, that God hath raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, and that he will by the same power also raise up his faithful ministers and servants, who firmly retain that glorious gospel; and, as those discoveries are made for their sakes, that they may obtain salvation by him, and that God may be glorified in their united and everlasting praises, let us daily set before our eyes this risen and triumphant Redeemer, and look forward to that glorious appearance of his, when he shall come to be admired in his saints, and to be farther extolled and glorified, in all them who believe. Amen.
The apostle expresseth his confidence and for
2 Corinthians 4:16
The apostle describes the glorious hopes, which grave, as his great support and ground of tr. those trials which he had been mentioning bef ours to animate others to fidelity and zeal by 2 Cor. IV. 16, to the end. Chap. V. 1—10
2 CORINTHIANS IV. 16.
WE have been speaking of the great design of God, in causing his gospel to be revealed to the children of men, that the thanksgivings of many may redound to his own glory; and on this account we faint not under any of the present pressures, nor suffer ourselves to be borne down by the assaults of our enemies; but on the contrary, if our outer man perishes, yet the inner man is daily renewed: the soul gathers new strength, as the body grows weaker and weaker, and we feel our dissolution approaching: which may well be the case. For we have the firmest assurance, that this momentary lightness of our affliction, which passes off so fast, and leaves so little impression, that it may justly be spoken of as levity itself, is working out for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory, the most solid, substantial, and lasting felicity, the exalted degrees of which, none of the boldest figures of speech can paint, nor any stretch of human thought distinctly conceive. And we may assuredly promise ourselves, that this shall be the blessed end of all, while we are conscious that we are not aiming at the things which are visible; are not endeavouring to secure to ourselves any secular advantages of one kind or another; but at those which are invisible. And however vain and visionary such views may seem to the world about us, and we may be de-
a A far more exceeding, &c] This sentence is one of the most emphatical in all St. Paul’s writings; in which (as Dr. Grosvenor well expresses it) he speaks as much like an orator as an apostle. The lightness of the trial is expressed by το εὐαγγέλη της Ἀλεξίως, the lightness of our affliction; as if he had said, it is even levity itself in such a comparison. On the other hand, the κατ’ ὑπερδοκην εἰς ὑπερδοκην, is (says Mr. Blackwall) infinitely emphatical, and cannot be expressed by any trans-
lation. It signifies, that all hyperboles fall short of describing that weighty eternal glory, so solid and lasting, that you may pass from one hyperbole to another, and yet when you have gained the last, are infinitely below it. Blackw. Sacr. Clas. Vol. I. p. 323.
b Are not aiming, &c.] This σκοπωγία exactly signifies; and our English word scope, or mark aimed at, is derived from the same Greek theme.
in the view of the future eternal weight of glory ;
things which are seen are temporal ; but the things which are not seen, are eternal.
spised for attending to them, we have full satisfaction in our own minds, that we are acting the wisest part, in such a choice and preference ; for the things which are visible, and in that respect may seem to have the advantage of others, [are] temporary and transient ; but those which are invisible, [are] eternal, and therefore suitable to the duration of that immortal soul
viii. 2 Cor. iv. 18
which God has given us, and in the felicity of which our true happiness must consist. Nor : is this an uncertain, or very distant hope ; for we know assuredly, that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, if this mortal body, constituted of dust, were mouldered back to dust again ; or if our zeal for the service of the gospel should bring on martyrdom, which should destroy it before its time ; we have, and should immediately enter on, a building of which God is the great Architect and Donor ; an house not made with mortal hands, nor to be compared with the most magnificent structure they ever raised ; exceeding them all in its lustre, as much as its duration ; though that duration be eternal in the regions of the heavens, far above either violence or decay. And in this view, we groan through that intenseness of soul with which we are earnestly and perpetually desiring to be clothed upon with our house, which is from heaven ; Since being so clothed upon, we shall not be found naked and exposed to any evil and inconvenience, how entirely soever we may be stripped of every thing we can call our own, here below. And moreover, we who are yet in [this] tabernacle do groan, not only with those longings after a blessed immortality, but also being burdened with the present weight of many infirmities, and many calamities : for which cause nevertheless we would not be unclothed, or strip-
c Not made with hands, &c.] Whether we consider this Divine building, as particularly signifying the body after the resurrection, in which sense Dr. Whitby takes it ; or any vehicle in which the soul may be clothed during the intermediate state, considerable difficulties will arise. I am therefore inclinable, rather to take it in a more general view, as referring to the whole provision God has made for the future happiness of his people, and
which Christ represents as his Father’s house, in which there are many mansions To be clothed upon with an house, is a very strong figure ; which yet it is evident that apostle uses in the next verse ; having in his thoughts the glory which each should wear, instead of being clothed, as now, with that mortal flesh which he calls tabernacle, as it is so mean, inconvenient, and precarious an abode.
of which God hath given the earnest by his
ped of the body ; for that is what we cannot consider, as in itself desirable ; but rather, if it might be referred to our own choice, clothed upon immediately, with a glory like that which shall invest the saints after the resurrection ; that so what is mortal, corruptible, and obnoxious to these disorders, burdens and sorrows, may all be so absorbed and swallowed up by life, as if it were annihilated by that divine vigour and energy which shall then exert itself in and upon us.d
Now he who hath wrought us to this very thing, to these noble views and sublime desires, [is] God ;e who hath also given us the earnest of his Spirit, as the pledge of better, even of eternal blessings. Therefore, under the influences of this Divine Spirit, [we are] always courageous in the midst of surrounding danger ; and whatever natural aversion we have to death, are ready to brave its terrors, in the views of that immediate happiness which lieth before us : knowing, that while we are sojourning in the body,f we are, as it were, in a state of exile from the Lord Jesus Christ, in the enjoyment of whom our chief happiness consists : For we now walk and conduct ourselves in the whole course of life, by the faith of objects, as yet unseen ; and not by the sight of those glories, or by a regard to those things which we can see. We are courageous therefore [I say] in these delightful views, and think with complacency, of being rather absent from the body, and banished from all its pleasures and enjoyments, on condition of being, as we know we shall be, present with the Lord,g and dwelling as those
d That mortality may be, &c ] The expression in these and the following verses, is not perfectly distinct ; but the meaning seems to be this : " that though it appeared most desirable of all to pass to glory without dying, yet a state in which mortality should be swallowed up by life, was at all events desirable ; and an absence from the body to be, not only submitted to, but wished, in a view of being so present with the Lord, as even in the intermediate state they expected to be.”
e He who hath wrought us to this very thing, is God ] Mr. Howe observes, that this is a most emphatical manner of speaking ; not only asserting that God is the
author of it, by ascribing Deity to the author ; as if he had said, " none but God could have raised us to such a temper.” Howe’s Works, Vol 1. p. 680.
f Are sojourning in the body. ] So why not he here properly signifies ; and it is, as Dr. Clark observes, wrong to render it, while at home in the body ; since it is the apostle’s design to intimate, that this is not our home.
g Present with the Lord ] From this text Mr. Boyse argues, not only against the sleep of the soul during the intermediate state ; but that saints, when departed from our world, go into the highest heaven ; where they dwell with Christ, and are not as some
ions on the consolation of the Christian hope.
who are at home with him. Therefore we make it the height of our ambition, that whether present in the body, or absent from it, we may be well pleasing to him, and receive the tokens of his acceptance and favour.
This is our concern, and it ought to be the concern of all; for we must all, without any exception, whatever our station in life may have been, be manifest before the tribunal of Christ; our inmost soul must there be displayed, and all the most secret springs of our actions laid open, that every one may then receive, in that final distribution of happiness and misery, according to what he hath done in the body, whether good or evil; in full proportion to his actions, and the principles from which the Searcher of hearts knows them to have arisen.
IMPROVEMENT.
BEHOLD the great lesson which as Christians we have to learn, and which is of such efficacy, that if we thoroughly master it, all the other parts of our duty will become easy and delightful; to look at the things which are unseen, rather than at those which verse re seen! And what can be so reasonable, as that eternal objects should employ the thoughts of immortal beings, rather than those which they must soon survive? Let all our souls be directed to them. Let us contemplate the feeble structure of this earthly tabernacle, which gives us so many tokens of its nearly approachchanging dissolution: this tabernacle, in which we groan under such a variety of burdens; and let us comfort ourselves with the prospect of speedy deliverance; that so while the outer man perisheth, the inner man may be renewed day by day. What though we have eath before us in a certain prospect, and know we must soon be absent from the body? If we are true Christians, we have the most express assurance, not only that the time will come, when we shall inhabit a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; but that we shall immediately be present with the Lord, with that blessed Redeemer, whom having not seen we love. How much more shall we love him, how much more shall we rejoice in him, when we are blessed with his presence, and behold his glory!
have supposed, in a place where they have only a transient sight of him on some extraordinary occasions. Boyse’s four last Things, p. 592.
We make it the height of our ambition. This φιλοξυπνησία plainly imports; and is flat to translate it, we labour.
VOL. 4.
In prospect of the future judgment he persuaded men.
SEC. VIII. While we have this consciousness, let us be always confident and courageous, and rejoice in afflictions and mortality; since this light and momentary affliction hath so happy an influence upon a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; and death will be the consummation of our wishes. Let this then be our constant care, to walk by faith and not by sight; having this ever for the glorious object of our ambition, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of the Lord. May God work us up to this self same thing; and may the operation of his grace upon our souls for that purpose, be always acknowledged with the humblest gratitude, and its farther communications sought with the most earnest importunity. Then shall we not dread the tribunal of Christ, before which we are so certainly to appear, and be made manifest; knowing, that our integrity will be approved, and that those works of faith and labours of love, which shall then be commemorated, will meet with gracious acceptance, and most munificent rewards.