2 Corinthians 2
DOYLY— maketh manifest the savour &c.] Causes the knowledge of His religion by means of us to spread in every place, like the odour of a grateful perfume. Schlesmer.
— the savour of his knowledge] Dr. Whitby remarks, that these expressions are agreeable to the phraseology of the Jews, who say of the law, that ‘it is to Israel a savour of life, but to the nations of the world a savour of death,’ of which the Apostle seems here to give the reverse, in speaking of the Gospel; namely, that it was to them, as being the rejecters of it, “the savour of death;” but to the Gentiles, who embraced it, “the savour of life.” Considering St. Paul’s rapid transitions, it may seem, that in the 14th verse he had in his view the incense fumed at the Roman triumphs; and that having there mentioned “a savour,” he was reminded of the Jewish phrases, “a savour of death,” and “a savour of life,” which he applies at ver. 16. Parkhurst.
2 Corinthians 2:9
- — whether ye be obedient in all things.] Whether you are as ready upon my appointment to restore penitents, as to inflict punishment upon offenders. Dr. Hammond.
2 Corinthians 2:10
- — in the person of Christ:] As St. Paul delivered the incestuous person to Satan “in the name of the Lord Christ,” 1 Cor. v. 4; so in His person and by His authority he relaxes the sentence. Dr. Whitby.
2 Corinthians 2:11
- Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:] By hurrying him into despair; or representing the church discipline as that which tendeth to men’s ruin, and so tempting him to apostasy. Dr. Whitby.
2 Corinthians 2:12
- Furthermore, &c.] The Apostle proceeds to give the Corinthians a further instance of his real concern for them, and a proof that his not coming to them at the time appointed was not occasioned by fickleness or disrespect towards them. Pyle.
— Treas] See the note on Acts xvi. 8. — a door was opened] See the note on 1 Cor. xvi. 9.
2 Corinthians 2:13
- — because I found not Titus my brother:] Whom I had sent to know the state of your affairs. Dr. Whitby.
— into Macedonia.] Hoping to find him there, where he arrived, and gave me a very comfortable account of you. Dr. Whitby.
2 Corinthians 2:14
- Now thanks be unto God, &c.] The Apostle takes occasion, from the happy success of his former Epistle,
Treas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
2 Corinthians 2:15
- For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, &c.] He means that, whatever be the success of his ministry, though some men refuse the evidences of the Christian religion, and perish by their wilful obstinacy, whilst others embrace and are saved by it, yet are his sincere endeavours acceptable to God in respect to all. Pyle.
The Gospel is “the savour of life or of death” to all that hear it. Those who are careful to improve by it God will bless with further improvements; those who are not He will leave in His just judgment to grow worse and worse: or, to speak the language of our Saviour, “Whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” Abp. Secker.
2 Corinthians 2:16
- — And who is sufficient for these things?] This is a weighty employment, and unless God did particularly enable us, we could never be fit for it. Dr. Hammond.
2 Corinthians 2:17
- — which corrupt the word of God:] Here is an allusion to those hucksters of whom the Prophet Isaiah speaks, saying, according to the Greek version, ‘Thy vintners mix wine with water,’ Isai. i. 22: and so the
A commendation of Paul’s ministry.
Anno DOMINI 60. of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.