2 Corinthians 2
DortI The Apostle proceeds in declaring of the reasons, why he was not as yet come, namely, because he would not be with them in grief but in joy. 4 Testifieth that that which had formerly written unto them concerning the incestuous person, was done with tears, and through love unto them. 6 Commandeth them that by reason of his sorrow they should be now receive him again, and comfort him, lest by great grief he should fall into despair. 12 Relates further how he had preached the Gospel alone in Troas, and afterwards in Macedonia, 14 and testifieth that his preaching everywhere is an acceptable savior to God. As well in them that are saved as in them that perish, 17 in regard that he every where uprightly published the same.
1. But I purpose this with my self that I would not come again to you in grief. [That is, to grieve both you and me by the Ecclesiastical punishments which must be exercised against some among you.]
2. For if I grieve you [This he saith because when a member of the church must be punished, all other members must grieve for it. See 1 Cor. 5.2.] who is it truly that shall make me joy full, but he that was grieved by me?
3. And this same [Namely, of taking away and amending the faults among you] I have written unto you [namely, in my first Epistle, chapter 5.] that I coming (thither) might not have grief from them who I should be made glad, [this he saith not only of the incestuous person, but of all the Corinthians who had tolerated these and other defects among them] trusting of you all that my joy [that is, the cause of my joy, namely, the removing of such offences, should also be a cause of your joy, namely, when such an offence should be removed, and the church brought into a good state] is (the joy) of you all.
4. For I wrote unto you out of much affliction [Or great pressure. This may be understood either of the condition of the time in which he wrote the former Epistle, because in the time of affliction men do more narrowly and better take notice of all things, and with greater commiseration and more mature deliberation write what they write, or of the trouble and grief which the Apostle had in his mind about such an offence as was among them when he wrote the Epistle] and anguish of heart, with many tears, not that ye should be grieved, but that you might understand the love which the love I have abundantly unto you. [namely, which could not endure it, it should be thought that ye should not have a due displeasure at such faults. Or that ye should make your selves guilt of such faults.]
5. But if any man hath caused grief, he hath not grieved me [Namely, alone] but in part, [that is, in some sort. So the Apostle speaketh of this fault, not too extenuate it, but because this person had now due sorrow for it, and would presently exhort them to the receiving of him again](that I may not burden (him) ) you all.
6. To such one this reprehension [This some understand of the utmost Ecclestiastical punishment or excommunication the Apostle had commanded to be exercised against this man, 1 Cor. 5.3. and understand the word enough of the short time which he had endured this punishment. But others think of all the circumstances of this text that this man being admonished and seriously reproved by the Governors of the church, by his repentance prevented excommunication; seeing excommunication is the last punishment of the churches, and which must be done not only before men, but before the whole church, and that the Corinthians desired Pauls advice hereabout by Titus, what they should now do further in his business, seeing he was penitent, as appears by the 7. chapter following; wherefore he answers that this reproof given by many, that is, by the governors of the church, whereupon such serious sorrow had followed, was enough, and that henceforward they should receive him again, that by too grief they might not bring him to despair] is sufficient, which was (given) by many.
7. So that contrariwise ye (must) rather forgive (him) and comfort (him) [That is, proceed no further against him, but receive him again, and discharge him from the highest punishment. This words of Paul had no reference to any power of the church to forgive sins before God, which belongeth to God alone, but according to Gods word to declare that to the penitent their sins are forgiven before God, and consequently to comfort such, and to declare his absolution before the church which was offended by him. See Matthew 18:18. John 20:23.] left such a one through too abundant grief should in any wise be swallowed up. [that is, fall into such grief, that he should thereby come into despair.]
8. Therefore I beseech you [Or exhort] that confirm the love to him. [namely, which Christ will have to be showed and confirmed towards a penitent sinner, Mat. 18.v.21,22.]
9. For to this purpose also I wrote, that I might understand your reproof, [that is, making proof of you, and thereby understand your uprightness in this point] whether ye be obedient in all things. [that is, in keeping of all the commandments of Christ, wherefore this also is one. See Matthew 16:19. and chapter 18.15.]
10. Now to whom ye forgive ought [Se the exposition hereof v.7.] (to him) I (forgive) also: for I have also forgive any things, to whom I forgave it ( I forgave it) for your sake, [that is, to show herein my agreement with you in the observation of Christ’s commands and our mutual love] because the face of Christ, as this word is taken in the former chapter V.11. i.e. in the name of Christ. See 2 Cor. 5.v.20.] that Satan may get no advantage over us. [or that we may not be surprised, subdued, possessed by Satan. The Greek word signifies to get or to have more then belongs to one, and is used especially of covetous persons: and is a similitude taken from covetous merchants, who seek all opportunities to deceive men.]
11. For his thoughts [That is, consolations, or enterprises, 2 Cor. 10.5. who sometimes by too great slackness of Ecclesiastical discipline seeks to lull sinners asleep, and sometimes by too great strictness to bring to despair] are not unknown to us.
12. Furthermore when I came to Troas [Of this place and journey of Paul see at large, Acts 16:8. etc.] (to preach) the gospel of Christ, and when a door [that is, opportunity. See 1 Cor. 16.9.] was opened to me in the Lord, I had rest for my spirit [namely, to be quiet there very long, although Paul erected a church there also, as appeared by the following verse, and by 2 Tim/ 4.13.] because I found not Titus my brother,
13. But having taken leave of them I departed to Macedonia.
14. And thanks be to God who causeth us always [That is, whether we preach the Gospel a long time or a short time in one place] to triumph [or overcome] in Christ, [that is, in the cause of Christ, or by Christ] and maketh manifest the Savior of his knowledge [that is, the rumor or the progress: a similitude taken from the offering of incense in the old Testament, which being kindled by fire, spread itself through the Temple and over the Congregation] by us in all places.
15. For we are to God a good savour of Christ [That is, acceptable and well pleasing, because Gods mercy is manifested in those that are saved, and his justice in those that perish. See Luke 2:34.] in them that are saved, and in them that perish.
16. To these indeed a savior of death unto death [That is, which is deadly, and brings death to them. Not that the Gospel of its own nature, brings death to any man, for it is a ministry of life, 2 Cor. 3.6,7. and a power of God unto salvation to all that believe, Romans 1:16. Because they that are unbelieving, through their own willfulness set themselves against it, and so draw down Gods heavier judgment upon them. See John 3:36. 1 Pet. 2.7, 8.] but to them a savior of life unto life. And who is fit [or, sufficient, namely, of himself or by himself, as is declared hereafter chapter 3.5,6.] for these things?
17. For we carry not , as (do) many, the word of God to sell, [Or, falsify not the word of God, Gr. Kapeleuontes, which word signifies to set any thing to sale, or carry it to sell by retail, and to sell the same for better, often times to give it another smell or taste, or gloss: and is also by a similitude taken for as it were testing any thing to sell under a false smell or taste, or gloss, which signification here suits well, seeing the Apostle here testifieth that he did not garnish the Gospel, nor bow and wrest it according to men’s will and pleasure, but teacheth the same in uprightness and purity, without regarding the pleasure of men, committing the issue therefore to God] but as of uprightness, but as of God, [that is, of Gods inspiration, and in Gods name, 2 Cor. 5.19.]] in the presence of God, we speak it in Christ. [or of Christ. Seeing Christ is the whole aim and drift to our Gospel 1 Cor. 2.2.]