2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

In this chapter the apostle proceeded in the account of the reasons why he did not come to Corinth, ver. 1—4. Then he perish concerning the incautious person that lay under confers; and giveth divestive for the restoring him, together with the reasons for their so doing, ver. 5—11. And afterwards informed them of his labours and success in preaching the gospel in several places, ver. 12—17.

1. BUT I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the fame which is made forry by me? 3. And I wrote this fame unto you, lest when I came I should have forrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote unto you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

The apostle suggests another reason why he would not come now to Corinth, lest he should be compelled to exercise such charity on offenders as would be bitter to them and painful to himself; and in such circumstances it must be a melancholy meeting, when he must make those forrowful who should have made him glad; and, whilst this was the case, his tender sympathy with them must occasion heaviness to his own spirit. He wished therefore rather that all offences might be first removed, for which end he had written the former letter, and that he might not be obliged to forrow over those as impenitent, in whom he hoped to rejoice as faithful: and he would fain hope, from his confidence in their affliction and regard, that his joy was theirs, and that they would be ready to remove every cause of uneasiness, and delight to make him happy. With much anguish of heart, and many tears, he had dictated this epistle, not to grieve them, but to profit them, and that his own love towards them, and jealously over them, might be more abundantly manifested. Note, (1.) Faithful rebuke is the fureth mark of love. (2.) Correction is an unpleading though necessary table. (3.) The design of every reproof should not be to grieve but to recover.

5. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which man relicted of many. 7. So that contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love towards him. 9. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 10. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing to whom I forgave it, for your fakes forgave I it, in the person of Christ; 11. 1. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

The apostle here directs them how to behave towards the incautious person, who had been, according to his orders, excommunicated.

1. He had been grieved in part that he was compelled to punish; but, since this man had relicted his repentance, the cause of his sorrow was removed: and though he had found fault with many who were puffed up, and had not mourned on this occasion, he would not overcharge them with farther reproof, since they had, as a body, cleared themselves by their obedience to his letter.

2. The punishment which had been inflicted on the offender was sufficient; and, since he was humbled and restored, the

sentence of excommunication should be removed. He exports them therefore, (2.) to forgive him; (3.) to comfort him under the deep wounds of shame and remorse which he must have felt, lest Satan should take advantage of his distress to overwhelm him with despair. (4.) To confirm their love towards him, and receive him into their church, and into their bosom, with all the cordiality of warm affection. Note, We ought to be peculiarly tender of broken spirits, not aggravating their offences, but sympathizing with their anguish.

3. This was the end the apostle proposed, both in his former and present epistle, that he might have a proof of their obedience. And, to engage them to a ready compliance with his present exhortation, he mentions his own willingness to concur with them in forgiving this penitent; and, according to the divine authority delegated to him, in the name of Jesus Christ he pronounced his abduction: and this he did for their fakes, as a fresh mark of his love to them, and to promote their welfare, lest Satan should take advantage, from any feverish shewn to this offender, to discourage the hearts of backsliders from returning, through despair of pardon, or to the prejudices against the members of the church as of an unforgiving and unscathed spirit. For we are not, says he, ignorant of his desires, him by every method he strives to obstruct the success of the gospel, and disturb the peace of the church.

4. Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13. I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not “Thus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. 14. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the favour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15. For we are unto God a sweet favour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. 16. To the one we are the favour of death unto death; and to the other the favour of life unto life: and who is sufficient for these things? 17. For we are not as many, which I corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:12-16

12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our confederer, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-wards. 13. For we write none other things into you, than what you read or acknowledge, and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end. 14. As also

you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The apostle here,

1. Vindicates himself in general from the insinuations of his traducers. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our confederer, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, maintaining a single eye to God’s glory; not with fleshly wisdom, purposing any mean ends, or selfish defiance of our own; but by the grace of God, having this for our gowning principle, taught by his word, and guided by his Spirit, we have had our conscription in the world, and more abundantly to you-wards, who cannot but be conscious how bodily and unblamessly we behaved ourselves among you; and if I have now disappointed you of my intended visit, it was no double-mindedness, but the providence of God, which prevented me. Note, A good conscience affords always matter of real joy.

2. He appeals to themselves for the truth of what he said. For we write none other things unto you than what you read or acknowledge, and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end; our future conversation shall, we trust, be as exemplary as the past. As also you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus, when we hope to appear with you before him as the seals of our ministry, our joy and crown.

3. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that you might have a second benefit: 16. And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea. 17. When I therefore was thus minded did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? 18. But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21. Now he which flashtheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, in God: 22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23. Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

The apostle.

1. Acquaints them with another thing which retarded his journey to Corinth. Furthermore, when I come to Troas, to preach Christ’s gospel, that constant delightful theme on which I dwell; and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, he, who hath the hearts of all men in his hand, having given me a pleasing prospect of success: yet to anxious was I to hear of you, that I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Thus my brother, whom I expected to arrive there from you: but, taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia, where I met him, and heard with delight the account which he brought from you.

2. Having hinted his successful labours at Troas, he breaks forth into thanksgiving to God. Now should he unto God which always causeeth us to triumph, in the midst of all our tribulations raising us together to our sins, and filling us with exultation and joy in Christ the rock of our confidence; and maketh manifest the favour of his knowledge by us in every place, diffusing his gospel as fragrance, and calling our labours to be acceptable to himself, and profitable to those among whom he sends us to minister. For we are unto God a sweet favour of Christ, his precious name in our lips, and his grace in our hearts, render us pleasing to God, in them that are saved, in whom God’s rich mercy is magnified, being called by him to the faith and privileges of the gospel; and also in them that perish, in whom his justice is displayed in punishing their celebrate infidelity; and, though they are not gathered, yet are we alike glorious in the eyes of the Lord, who regards not our success, but our fidelity. To the one we are the favour of death unto death, a detested and abused gospel aggravating their guilt, and increasing their condemnation; and to the other the favour of life unto life; like a sweet perfume, that recovers the fainting spirit, so doth the gospel, through the power of the Holy Ghost, quicken the souls of many from the death of sin unto a life of righteousness, and continues to refresh and revive them amidst all their trials and sufferings here till they come to eternal life and glory hereafter. And, in the view of these eternally important events, and the awful and difficult charge lying upon us, who needs not to tremble for himself, and to cry out, Who is sufficient for these things? The greasist, the best of men, will be most conscious of their own weakness, and be looking up for more than human power to enable them for the discharge of this arduous employment. Note, (1.) They who are truly found in Christ will always have cause to triumph in him over all their foes. (2.) The gospel word never returns void. Where it is not a favour of life, it will be a favour of death. (3.) The more we are forcible of our own insufficiency, the more shall we look up to him who giveth strength to the weak.

3. He vindicates himself, and glances at their false tenets. For we are not as many, which corrupt and adulterate the word of God.

God, to make advantage thereby: but as of sincerity, without guile or deceit; but as of God, speaking under his influence, guidance, and authority, in the fight of God, speak we in Christ, approving ourselves to the great Searcher of hearts, with a single eye to the Redeemer’s glory, and making him the grand subject of all our ministrations.

12. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause: that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 14. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth. 15. And his + inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembreth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Since his admonition had so good an effect, the apostle cannot but rejoice. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, with some tharpness, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor merely that the incessation of the sinners, nor for his sake that suffered wrong, out of any partial favour to his injured father, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you, and the church be preferred from scandal. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort, the peace and purity of your society being restored: you, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all, by the kind, obedient, respectful, and affectionate behaviour which you shewed towards him. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed of the character I gave you; but as we speak all things to you in truth, in simplicity and godly sincerity, even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth, and the commendation I gave you hath been proved to be but just. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembreth the obedience of you all to my apodistic injunctions, how with fear and trembling you received him, with deepest reverence and holy jealously, hath you should not duly profit by his advice. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things, that you will continue to obey my admonitions, and to refresh my spirit by your dutiful and becoming conduct on every occasion. Note, It is a singular comfort to a minister, that he hath confidence in the fidelity of his people.

2 Corinthians 2:15-24

In answer to the insinuations of his enemies, who accused him of levity and incantance,

1. He avers the sincerity of his intentions at the time he gave them his promise. In the confidence of their affliction and esteem, he was fully purposed to visit them, in hopes of affording them farther spiritual assistance; and not merely to call on them in his way to Macedonia, but to return from thence, and make some considerable fray among them, and then to have been helped forward on his journey by them to Jerusalem. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness, promising rashly, and altering my mind without sufficient reason? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh? was I influenced by any secular views? or did I want to flatter you, and tell you what I never intended to perform? that such as they should be yea, yea, and nay, nay, talking backwards and forwards to serve a turn? No. Paul, as every faithful man doth, spoke the truth from his heart.

2. He vindicates his doctrine, which the seducers wanted to represent as equally erroneous as his promise was deceived; and this he doth with a solemn appeal to God. But, as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay, our doctrine was not various and changeable, but uniformly the same; for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea; the same crucified Jesus was the subject of our ministry, and we taught with perfect harmony all the glorious truths of gospel grace: for all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, infallibly certain, and invariably the same; not conditional, and depending upon any thing in our miserable selves, but everlastingly sure, flowing from the sovereign favour and love of God, purchased by the obedience to death, and ratified by the blood-brooding of the Redeemer, unto the glory of God by us, who by our ministrations is thus exalted in the highest.

3. He mentions some of the inestimable blefing which God in Christ Jesus had bestowed. (1.) Now he which flashtheth us with you in Christ is God, we are built up in him, and, being together united in him as our living Head, nothing shall ever be able to separate us from him. (2.) He hath anointed us with the gifts and groans of his Spirit. (3.) He hath also sealed us unto the day of redemption, securing us for his own in a covenant

nant of grace, and flamping his blessed image on our souls. (4.) He hath given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, shedding abroad his love, as the pledge of that eternal felicity whereunto we are appointed.

4. He gives a weighty reason for not coming at present to Corinth, and solemnly calls God to witness thereto, that it was out of mere tenderness towards them, to force them, that he might not be obliged to inflict on the offenders condign punishment. But, to prevent mistakes, he adds, Not for that we have dominion over your faith, we assume no tyrannical power, not pretend to be Lords over your conscience; but are helpers of your joy, defining to promote your Spiritual and eternal confidence; for by faith ye found, grounded not on fallible human testimony, but on the word of God, and therefore shall never be moved away from the hope of the gospel. Note, They who have true faith shall never finally or finally fall.