16:13 Watch Acts 20:28; Rom 16:17; a greeting in his own hand (2 Thess 3:17).
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effective one has opened to me, and there are many opponents.
yourselves to such persons, and to everyone who works and labours with us. 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, for they have supplied what was lacking on your part. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit, and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he can be with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore no one should look down on him. But send him on his journey in peace, so he can come to me. For I am expecting him with the brethren.
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
12 Concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was not at all willing to come at this time. But he will come when he has a convenient time. 13 Watch, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 All you do should be done with love.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
22 If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, O Lord.
15 I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints), 16 to submit
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
door of service for us He means for us to enter it. But the enemies of the gospel will try to see that we do not. 16:10,11 Timothy Acts 16:1; 1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 2:2. Without fear 1 Tim 4:12. Timothy was young, and probably timid, and the Corinthians were not always as helpful as they might have been (4:1,8-13). 16:12 Apollos 1:12; 3:4-9; Acts 18:2428. 16:13 Watch Acts 20:28; Rom 16:17; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 5:6; 2 Tim 4:5.
16:18 It is good to be the kind of people whose presence refreshes others. 16:19 Paul was writing from Ephesus the chief city in the Province of Asia.
Aquila and Priscilla Acts 18:1-3,26; Rom 16:3,4.
In their house Rom 16:5. 16:20 Kiss Rom 16:16. 16:21 Paul sometimes dictated his letters and they were written down by someone else (Rom 16:22). But he always added a greeting in his own hand (2 Thess 3:17). 16:22 Love for the Lord Jesus Christ is the evidence of spiritual life (1 John 3:14; 4:7,8,16). Absence of love for Him is proof of spiritual death. If we cannot, or do not, love Christ, we show ourselves depraved, still in our sins, and worthy of a curse from God. Nothing is more important than the state of our hearts in regard to the Lord Jesus.
Firm 15:58. Strong Eph 6:10; 2 Tim 2:3; Isa 40:31. 16:14 Love 10:24; 13:1-13; John 13:34. 16:15 Achaia was the region in which Corinth lay.
Devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints here was a spiritual gift they continually and wholeheartedly used (12:28) helping fellow believers. Such people are an example to all others who may not have any of the more public or well-known gifts. 16:16 This means to accept their leadership in their work of serving believers and assist them. 16:17 Lacking on your part he is not reminding them that they had not helped him financially (see 9:12-18). He means that he misses them and their fellowship and news about them.
Come, O Lord Rev 22:20. In the Aramaic language the expression is Marana tha. 16:23 See 1:3; Rom 1:7; 16:20. 16:24 Paul had opponents at Corinth, and others there were carnal, proud, divisive, abused spiritual gifts, and complained against him. He had to say some rather harsh things in this letter to correct them. But he sent love to them all. Compare what he wrote in 13:4-7 Paul was happy to practice what he taught to others.
The Second Letter of the Apostle Paul to the
CORINTHIANS
Author:
Paul an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Date:
About 57 AD.
Themes:
Another serious problem had arisen among the Corinthian Christians besides the ones Paul dealt with in his first letter to them. Some false teachers had come there saying that Paul was not a true apostle of Christ and that his teachings were not to be trusted. And they had convinced some Christians that this slander was true, and had brought the whole church into danger. For if they rejected Pauls apostleship they would begin to question the truth of the gospel of Christ which he preached, the only true gospel there is. So for the sake of believers there, and for the sake of the truth of Christ, it became necessary for Paul to set forth his authority as an apostle whom Christ had appointed, and to show that his words and deeds were in accordance with his apostleship. Therefore, more than in any other of his New Testament letters, he writes of his personal life and his service for Christ. He speaks in moving terms of his experiences, his motives, his labors, and his sufferings. In doing so he shows once and for all what true service for Christ is and involves, and what those who call themselves the servants of Christ should be and how they should behave.
Contents:
Encouragement and comfort in trouble and suffering ........................................ 1:3-11 Pauls canceled journey to Corinth ................................................................. 1:12 - 2:4 Forgiveness to those who had caused grief..................................................... 2:5-11 Competent for Christs service through Christ .................................................. 2:12 - 3:6 The new covenant more glorious than the old covenant ................................... 3:7-18 Gods servants; Gods treasure in earthen pots ............................................... 4:1-8 The future heavenly condition of believers ...................................................... 5:1-8 Pauls goal: To please Christ ......................................................................... 5:9 Believers before Christs judgment seat .......................................................... 5:10 Reconciliation: Gods part and mans part ........................................................ 5:11-21 Today is the day of salvation ......................................................................... 6:1,2 Pauls troubles, sufferings, and manner of life ................................................. 6:3-13 Believers should not unite with unbelievers ..................................................... 6:14-18 Perfecting holiness ....................................................................................... 7:1 Pauls love for them, their repentance ............................................................ 7:2-12 Titus and the Corinthian Christians ................................................................. 7:13-16 Generous giving ........................................................................................... 8:1 - 9:15
Example of the Macedonian believers ......................................................... 8:1-5 Request that Corinth follow that example ................................................... 8:6-8 The example of Christ .............................................................................. 8:9 Pauls advice ........................................................................................... 8:10-15 Paul sends Titus to Corinth ....................................................................... 8:16 - 9:5 Wonderful results of generous giving ......................................................... 9:6-15 Paul sets forth his apostleship ....................................................................... 10:1 - 12:21
Spiritual warfare ...................................................................................... 10:3-6 Pauls boasting ...................................................................................... 10:7-18 Pauls desire and fear for believers there .................................................... 11:1-3
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False apostles ......................................................................................... 11:4-6 Pauls behavior toward the Corinthians ....................................................... 11:7-12 False teachers are Satans servants ........................................................... 11:13,14 Pauls further boasting ........................................................................... 11:15-22 Faithfully serving in troubles and dangers ................................................... 11:23-33 Paul is caught up to Heaven and returns .................................................... 12:1-6 Pauls thorn in the flesh, its good results..................................................... 12:7-10 Pauls love for the believers at Corinth ....................................................... 12:11-21 Closing remarks ........................................................................................... 13:1-14
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Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
patiently enduring the same sufferings that we also suffer. Or if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is firm, knowing that just as you are sharers in the sufferings, so you will also share in the encouragement.
3 Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all encouragement, 4 who encourages us in all our trouble, that we may be able to encourage those who are in any trouble, with the encouragement we ourselves have from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are in us in abundance, so our encouragement is also in abundance through Christ. 6 And if we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation, which is effective in
8 For, brethren, we do not want you to be ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia. We experienced pressure beyond measure, above strength, so that we even despaired of life. 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from so great a death, and continues to deliver, and we trust that he will deliver us, 11 you also helping together
1:1 Apostle Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1; Matt 10:2. By the will of God he emphasizes the truth of his apostleship here and throughout this letter, because some of the people at Corinth were attacking him at this very point.
people through His Word and through His presence Ps 23:4; 119:50; Isa 40:1; 61:2; 66:13; Rom 15:4,5; 2 Thess 2:16,17; Heb 6:18. One name for Gods Spirit, The Comforter comes from the same Greek root. See note at John 14:16. 1:4 All our trouble the God of all encouragement (v 3) has encouragement for every kind of trouble. But believers can fail to obtain it, if they refuse to be comforted (see Matt 2:18). Observe that God encouraged Paul, not merely for his own sake, but that he might give encouragement to others in trouble (v 6). 1:5 Sufferings of Christ Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29; 3:10; Col 1:24. Christ suffered for the sake of others and is still suffering for their sake in His people (Acts 9:4,5). Those who willingly suffer with Him for others will know His comfort and encouragement (John 16:33). 1:6 Paul was all for others, and both his troubles and his encouragements were for their sake (1 Cor 9:19-23; 10:24,33; 2 Tim 2:10). Only those who follow his example have any right to expect the same great encouragement he received from God. The result of suffering is patient endurance Rom 5:3-5; Jam 1:2-4; 5:11. 1:7 Believers in Corinth also shared Christs sufferings. They, too, were objects of persecution, though not to the extent Paul was. But to be willing to share with Christ and His people in suffering is to be able to share in Christs comfort and joy. 1:8 Asia Acts 16:6; 18:19. Ephesus was the chief city of the province of Asia.
Timothy v 19; Acts 16:1-3; 1 Tim 1:2. Achaia the region (Greece) where Corinth was located. 1:2 Rom 1:7. 1:3-11 Here are two important themes of this letter encouragement (or comfort) and trouble. The Greek word translated encourage or encouragement (noun and verb) occurs 17 times. The Greek words behind the translations afflicted, sufferings, etc occur about the same number of times. Paul is not complaining about his troubles just the opposite (6:10; 7:4; 12:10; Rom 5:3). He found that his troubles and sufferings were working good for him. Let us consider well what he has to say about them.
Through sufferings and troubles he came into a deeper knowledge of God as the encourager and comforter of His people (vs 3,4).
He experienced such sweet comfort in Christ that it made his sufferings seem worthwhile (v 5).
Because of them he was better able to comfort others (vs 4,6).
He learned to rely more on God (v 9). He came to understand better that troubles in believers lives were actually producing greater glory in eternity (4:17).
Pressure compare v 10; 4:8,9; 6:9; 11:23-29. The dangers and difficulties which faced him were beyond his ability to escape or overcome by himself. 1:9 Death it seemed to him that his time to die had come. But this too was for his good (Rom 8:28). His reliance on God became greater than before. He realized that if God could raise the dead He could keep him safe in the most deadly peril. 1:10 This must have been some miraculous and unexpected deliverance. It gave Paul much assurance for the future. Compare 2 Tim 4:18. See also 1 Sam 17:34-37. 1:11 Paul had to rebuke believers in Corinth
And he learned that Gods strength in him became the greater as his troubles (and resulting weakness) increased (12:9,10). See also note at Job 3:20.
1:3 Here is truth about Gods nature that Paul learned more deeply because of trouble and suffering.
Compassion Ex 34:6; Ps 86:15; 103:13; 111:4; 145:8; Lam 3:22; Micah 7:19; Matt 9:36.
Encouragement or comfort (the Greek word means either of these) God continually encourages and comforts His
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by prayer for us, so that many people will give thanks on our behalf for the gift of grace granted to us through the prayers of many.
16 and to come to you on the way to Macedonia, and to come again from Macedonia to you, and to be sent by you on my way to Judea. 17 So when I planned this, did I do so lightly? or in making plans do I plan according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no?
12 For this is what we boast about: the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our behaviour in the world, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are writing nothing to you except what you read or understand. And I trust you will understand, even to the end, 14 as also you have understood us in part, that we are going to be your reason for boasting, just as you are going to be our reason for boasting, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our word to you was not yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him was yes. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, for the glory of God through us. 21 Now he who establishes us together with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God, 22 who has also sealed us, and given the Spirit as a pledge in our hearts.
15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you first, that you might benefit a second time,
about the poor quality of their Christian lives 1 Cor 3:1-4; 5:1,2; 6:1; etc. But he still valued their prayers and was sure they would be a help (compare Phil 1:19; Philemon 22). From this let us learn that the prayers of even weak and frequently failing believers are not without power with God. Observe also that Paul wanted thanksgiving to God to abound (4:15; 9:11-13). 1:12-14 Some at Corinth were questioning Pauls truthfulness and sincerity (13:3). So he writes these words. It was important for them to trust him, not for his sake, but for theirs. His boasting was really a defense, not of himself, but of the gospel he preached and of his apostleship. All through this letter the false teachers of 11:13 are in view. They brought a false gospel, and in order to defend it they had to attack Paul. In order to defend the true gospel Paul had to defend himself against their attacks. As far as the Corinthians were concerned the gospel stood or fell with Paul. What he wrote them about himself was for their benefit (12:19). At that time they had no New Testament to appeal to, and possibly not even a single written Gospel. 1:12 Boast this is another important theme in this letter. He uses the word in its various noun and verb forms 31 times. For example, see 10:8,13; 11:16. The same Greek word is translated rejoice in Rom 5:2,3 and Phil 3:3. The kind of boasting Paul does in this letter is like a holy joy in God. It is not at all the sort of boasting sinful unbelieving men do. They boast about their own strength, brains, ability, etc. Paul boasted in God and how God worked in him. He knew that any good thing in him was from God and according to Gods grace. Compare Rom 7:18; 1 Cor 1:29,31. 1:14 Day the day when Christ returns. He was sure they could be a source of rejoicing to him then. Compare Phil 4:1; 1 Thess 2:19,20. 1:15-24 These verses give the reason why some of the Corinthians were doubting Pauls truthfulness and sincerity. And here Paul gives his answer to their doubts. Paul
had made plans to revisit Corinth, had told them so, then for good reasons changed his plans. His opponents said Paul could not be relied on, that this was evidence that even the gospel he preached should be doubted, and that Paul might change his mind about the gospel also. Paul was far more concerned with the reputation of the gospel than his own reputation, but they were bound up together. And so he wanted his reputation to be clear for the sake of Christs gospel.
In this he is an example to all servants of Christ. We must all realize how Christs reputation and ours are tied together. 1:15-17 This was his original plan which he had to change (compare 1 Cor 16:5-7). It seemed to them that he kept changing his mind for no good reason, and that he planned in a worldly way, as unsaved men do. They were tempted to think that he was fickle, and didnt give proper thought to what he said. 1:18-20 For the sake of the gospel Paul is alarmed that they should believe any such thing about him as is in v 17. And so he solemnly assures them it is not so. His message and his preaching had always been sure and certain and affirmative. There had been no wavering, no change of mind about those vital matters. And he can assure them that there is never any wavering or change in the Christ whom he preached. Every promise God has made He will fulfill in Christ. Silvanus in v 19 is the same person as Silas. 1:21 Paul well knew that in the matter of Gods gospel and Gods truth, all believers should be unwavering and steadfast (1 Cor 15:58; 16:13). Only God can make them so (Rom 16:25; 1 Peter 5:10).
Anointed Paul did not say anointed me but us. God anoints all believers 1 John 2:20,27. He anoints them with His Spirit and sets them apart from the rest of mankind to be a kingdom of priests (Rev 1:6. Note on anointing at Matt 1:1. Compare Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). 1:22 Sealed compare Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2 Thess 2:19. The seal is Gods Spirit, and His presence in believers marks them as
381 2 CORINTHIANS 2:11
23 Moreover I call God as a witness for my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. 24 Not that we have power over your faith, but we are working with you for your joy, for by faith you stand.
I have so abundantly for you.
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but to some extent, not to be too severe, all of you. 6 Sufficient for such a man is the punishment which was inflicted by many of you. 7 So that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive him, and encourage him, or perhaps such a one would be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I plead with you to reaffirm your love toward him. 9 For to this end also I wrote, that I might see if you would stand the test and be obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if I forgave anyone anything, it was for your sakes that I forgave it in the presence of Christ, 11 so that Satan might not take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, who is he then who makes me glad, but the same one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 And I wrote this same thing to you, so that, when I came, I would not have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy; having confidence in all of you, that my joy is the joy of all of you. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which
Gods special possession (1 Cor 6:19,20; Rom 8:9; John 17:6,10).
similar (compare 1 Cor 5:13; 2 Thess 3:17). 2:7,8 The purpose of church discipline is not simply to punish but to bring the sinning Christian to repentance. These verses indicate that the man had repented and was grieving because of his sin. Believers, Paul says, should see this and know when to stop disciplining and start forgiving and comforting. He does not say they should forgive and comfort before discipline and repentance. When Christians sin, church leaders should be neither too soft and easy with them, nor too harsh and hard. There should be discipline and there should be love as well. 2:9 Be obedient he does not mean obedient to himself (1:24), but obedient to the Lords instructions through him. There is a big difference between these two things. Some Christian leaders emphasize obedience to themselves, Paul was concerned about obedience to the Lord Jesus. 2:10 Paul had already forgiven the man the wrong he had done to him personally. Now the man had repented and Paul was willing to consider his sin as a small matter. This would be impossible if he was referring to the sin of the man in 1 Cor 5:1-5 that was no small matter, and Paul would never have counted it as such. But Paul was glad to forgive any wrong done against him personally. On this kind of forgiveness see Matt 6:12,14,15; 18:21-35; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13. Paul knew the eyes of Christ were upon him, and that Christ had forgiven him far more than he had forgiven others. 2:11 Satans purpose is to ruin the lives of believers, wreck churches and bring dishonor to Christ. He has schemes (plural) to accomplish this. He will try to make Christians sin, then try to arrange matters so that they will live in despair of forgiveness. Or he may try to get the church to accept them even without their repentance. He will try to destroy peace and harmony in the church through one or more of its members. He will try to make church leaders either too easy with sin or too harsh
Pledge see 5:5; Eph 1:14 and notes there. Gods giving His Spirit to believers is a guarantee to them that He will give also the inheritance He has promised (Rom 8:17,23; Eph 1:13,14; 1 Pet 1:4). It is a God-given pledge of their final salvation. As certain as Gods Spirit is in us, so certain it is that we shall never be lost. See also John 6:37-40; 10:27-29; 17:11,12; Rom 5:9,10; 8:28-39. 1:23 See how solemnly he speaks. The reputation of Christs gospel was his chief concern. Now he gives the reason why he changed his mind. It was not that he did not care about his word, it was that he cared so much about them. See also 2:1-4. He means that the condition of the church in Corinth was so poor that his coming would mean pain and grief to both them and himself. And this he did not want for them. See 1 Cor 4:21. 1:24 He did not want them to misunderstand. He was not a tyrant who could dictate to them. It was their own faith which caused them to stand, not any authority over them he could exercise (13:10). Compare 1 Pet 5:3. 2:1-4 See 1:23. Some scholars think the letter Paul refers to in vs 3,4 is 1 Corinthians. It is much more likely that it was another letter, now lost, which Gods Spirit did not choose to make a part of the New Testament. 2:5-10 If 1 Corinthians is the letter Paul refers to in vs 3,4, the man he refers to in these verses would be the one in 1 Cor 5:1-5. But it is probable that Paul is referring to someone else altogether someone who had in some way sinned against Paul personally. The language here indicates this. But in either case the lessons are the same. When a person who has sinned accepts church discipline and repents he should be forgiven and restored to fellowship. 2:6 By punishment he means church discipline excommunication or stopping fellowship with the man, or something
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12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christs gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother. But taking leave of them, I went on from there to Macedonia.
And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not like many, adulterating the word of God. But as sincere men, but as men belonging to God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
14 Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and spreads everywhere the aroma of his knowledge through us. 15 For we are to God a fragrance of Christ among those who are saved, and among those who perish. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.
Do we begin to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you, or recommendation from you? 2 You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all men. 3 For you are clearly seen to be a letter of Christ, a result of our ministry, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living
merchants or traders often adulterate their product to make more profit. Some socalled Christian workers are like this, only what they adulterate is the message concerning Christ, and their service is only for what they can get out of it compare 1 Tim 6:5; John 12:4-6; 2 Pet 2:15. Sincere 1:12,18,19. In the sight of God Paul knew that the eyes of God were always on him, and sought to live and serve accordingly. This knowledge will make a tremendous difference in anyones life. 3:1 The answers to both these questions is no. Paul is not saying letters of recommendation have no place. He himself sometimes recommended others (8:16-24; Rom 16:1,2; 1 Cor 16:3,10,11). But here he is saying he needs no such thing for himself. 3:2,3 The believers at Corinth were themselves like a letter of recommendation for Paul. Comparing them to a letter the following things are said about them. They were written on the hearts of Paul and his co-workers (that is, Paul and others were conscious of the work of God done in them and they loved them dearly 7:3). They were no secret letter hidden in Pauls heart, but a letter anyone could read (anyone could see the change in them produced by Pauls ministry). The letter was of Christ (it was His plan, His message that produced the change in them).
with those who fall. See notes on Satan at 1 Chron 21:1; Matt 4:1; John 8:44. 2:12 Door Acts 14:27; 1 Cor 16:9; Col 4:3; Rev 3:8. 2:13 Titus Paul had sent Titus to Corinth (7:6,7), and evidently arranged to meet him in Troas. When Titus did not come there Paul remained uneasy in mind about the situation in Corinth. His love for them was very great (v 4), and he longed for them to respond in the right way to his letters.
Macedonia 1:16. 2:14 In spite of problems in the churches and persecution in the world, God leads His servants on from victory to victory. Compare Rom 8:37. Notice the words always and in Christ our efforts apart from Him will not be victorious, not ever. Though they may meet with what some people consider success, that will be only a worldly kind of success, which God can not reward.
Aroma the knowledge of Christ to the heart is like precious perfume to the sense of smell. Paul and his co-workers spread this knowledge everywhere they went. Do we? 2:15 Fragrance Christs servants spread the knowledge about Christ to saved and unsaved, believers and unbelievers alike. In this way they became a sweet smell to God. A person with perfume on his (or her) body or clothing will give off that fragrance wherever he goes. A person who has Christ living in him, who speaks of Christ, and presents Christs gospel will give out the fragrance of Christ. Believers should not, and need not, ever smell of sin or of the world. 2:16 The gospel when preached by Christs servants brings life to those who believe it, death to those who reject it. Compare John 3:36. So to those who refuse to believe in Christ the gospel is like a deadly, killing odor, but to those who believe it is the fragrance of eternal life.
They were also the letter of Paul and his associates (Christ had used them in this work). They were produced by Gods Spirit (compare John 3:5-8). The writing was done in their hearts (the change in them was not merely outward but inward 5:17). Paul puts all this in contrast to Gods writing the law on tablets of stone. See Ex 31:18; 32:15,16. Compare Jer 31:33,34; Heb 8:10-12. Now too Gods servants are working with God to produce letters people profoundly and eternally changed by Christs gospel. Is there any higher privilege on earth than this work? 3:3-11 In these verses Paul contrasts the new covenant with the old.
Who is sufficient no man in himself is competent for the work of spreading the knowledge of Christ. But see 3:5,6. There is One who can make us competent. 2:17 Adulterating Paul knew that there were men who said they were Christs servants who watered down the message of Christ for personal gain. The Greek word translated adulterating may also mean peddling or include both ideas. Dishonest
The old was a ministry which brought death (vs 6,7), but the new brought life (v 6).
The old was written on stone (Ex 31:18),
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God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of flesh, of the heart.
if what was passing away was glorious, what lasts is much more glorious.
4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to think anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who indeed has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not steadily look on to the finish of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded, for to this day the same veil remains in place when the old covenant is read, for this veil is taken away only in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is on their heart. 16 However when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled faces, seeing, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same likeness from glory to glory, altogether by the Spirit of the Lord.
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses, because of the glory on his countenance, which was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be even more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation is glorious, much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness. 10 For even what was made glorious has no glory in this respect: the fact of the glory that excels it. 11 For
but the new is written on peoples hearts (v 3).
3:7 Face of Moses see Ex 34:29-35. 3:12 Hope Rom 5:2-5; 8:23-25. This hope, this expectation of glorious things in the future made Paul very bold in the present. 3:13 Ex 34:29-35. The sight of glory made the Israelites afraid. The new covenant does not bring fear but hope and boldness and joy. 3:14-16 He now draws spiritual lessons from the veil Moses put on his face. In v 14 he is speaking of those who were still under the old covenant Jews and converts to the Jewish religion. Their minds are dull, a veil is on their hearts (v 15). That is, they do not have a proper understanding of what they read in the Old Testament. See 4:3,4. Compare Jesus words to the Jews in John 5:39,40,46,47; etc. Only Christ can take away the veil of darkness and misunderstanding and cause men to know the truth and to know God (v 14,16; Matt 11:27; John 8:12,31,32; 14:6). 3:17 The Lord Jesus and Gods Spirit are one in the same sense that the Father and the Son are one (John 10:30; 14:9). Gods Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ in Rom 8:9. Notes on the Trinity at Matt 3:16,17; etc.
The old was a ministry which condemned men, but the new removes condemnation and makes men righteous (v 9; Rom 3:19-24).
The old was fading away (v 11; Heb 8:24), but the new is permanent (v 11). In short, the old covenant was in laws and commandments which could never change peoples hearts (note at Ex 19:5,6), but the new brings the ministry of Gods Spirit which makes men new (vs 3,6,8).
So though the old had some glory, the new has far more glory (vs 8-11).
It seems likely that some people had been troubling the Christians in Corinth by telling them they needed to keep the law of Moses. Compare Acts 15:1,2. So Paul shows them how much greater was the gospel he preached than the law they preached. 3:4 He was quite sure that God was using him in the work described above. Christ Himself gave him this assurance. 3:5 See 2:16. The above work is impossibly difficult for anyone who is not called and equipped by God. Pauls confidence in the work was not self-confidence in his own abilities. He knew that God alone made him able to do what he did (1 Cor 15:10; Col 1:29. See John 15:5). 3:6 Everyone whom God sends on His work can and should have this confidence that God will make him able to do that work. On the new covenant see notes at Matt 26:28; Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:6-13. The Greek word translated letter here is not the same as in vs 2,3, and its meaning is completely different. By letter here Paul is referring to the old covenant with its laws, rules, and regulations. It brought death because no one ever fully kept it, and so it justly condemned people to death (Rom 7:9-11; Gal 3:10. See also Rom 3:19,20; 4:15; 5:20; 8:3; etc). But the new covenant brings life by Gods Spirit (Rom 7:6; 8:24,11; John 3:5-8).
Liberty Gods Spirit gives many kinds of freedom: from the law (Rom 7:4,6; Gal 5:18), from fear (Rom 8:15), from sin (Rom 6:14,18). Compare John 8:36. 3:18 Seeing all believers now see something of Gods glory in Christ (4:6). That is, they have some spiritual understanding of it, an enlightenment of the mind regarding it. But it is all like seeing in a poor mirror. Compare 1 Cor 13:12. Only a reflection appears, not the whole reality which we believers will see when face to face with Christ. But now all believers are being changed. The Greek word translated transformed appears only four times in the New Testament here, Matt 17:2, Mark 9:2, and Rom 12:2. It suggests an inward
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Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, since we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced hidden, shameful ways, not behaving with craftiness, or handling the word of God deceitfully, but by making the truth clear we commend ourselves to everyones conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are lost. 4 In their case, the god of this present world has blinded the minds of
unbelievers, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, would not shine into them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
change that appears outwardly. In the case of Christ it meant a change in outward appearance that was in accordance with what He was inwardly. In the case of believers this is both an inner and an outward change, first inner, then outer.
much about himself. But all that was for their sake not his (notes on 1:12-24). He did not preach himself as a way of salvation. He had not invented the gospel. He did not think he was some great one, only a servant of others for Christs sake (1 Cor 3:5-7; 9:19-23). He had someone far greater than himself to preach about Christ. And he declared Him to be the one Lord of heaven and earth. Compare Luke 2:11; Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 8:6; 12:3; Acts 2:36; Phil 2:10,11. 4:6 Paul compares the creation of physical light in the beginning (see Gen 1:1-3) with the spiritual light God makes to shine into the hearts of believers in Christ. God opens the eyes of their understanding so they can receive the knowledge of the truth. Before this their minds, like the minds of everyone else, were in darkness and chaos. Compare Eph 1:18; Acts 26:18; John 8:12; Matt 6:22,23; 11:27; 16:17; 1 Cor 2:11-16. See what this enlightenment is which God gives. It has nothing to do with the wrong teaching that men can know they are God. That teaching is a terrible delusion created by Satan. Men are not God, cannot become God, and have fallen into a very grave error if they think they are God. In true enlightenment God enables individuals to understand that the glory of God is in Christ (Heb 1:3), not in them. Paul had his enlightening experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-9). Most of us do not have experiences so dramatic and so sudden. But every believer has received spiritual sight and light and is a child of the light (John 12:36; Eph 5:8; 1 Thess 5:5).
And it is a gradual process from glory to glory. Compare Ps 84:7; Prov 4:18. Here and now God is making them more and more like Christ. Finally, at His coming, they shall become completely like Him (Rom 8:29; 1 John 3:1,2). The process may be so slow now that the believer himself may have difficulty in believing it is taking place at all. But it is, in every true child of God. 4:1 Gods servants under the new covenant have received a ministry full of glory, greater than the ministry of Moses (3:9). They are not ministers of the law which condemns, but of Gods grace which saves. They have received this ministry through Gods mercy, not through personal merit (1 Cor 15:10; 1 Tim 1:13,14). So, Paul says, he refuses to be discouraged and give up in spite of all the problems, dangers, and difficulties he faced (v 16. Compare 1 Cor 15:58; Luke 18:1). 4:2 See 1:12; 2:17. Paul kept insisting on his integrity because some at Corinth denied it, and he knew great harm could come to the church if they lost faith in his apostleship. 4:3 See 3:14-16. Here Paul speaks not only of unbelieving Jews but of unbelievers of every nation. 4:4 The god of this world means Satan. Compare John 12:31; 16:11. He is called god because he wants worship and receives it, and because he rules in the realm of this worlds darkness (Eph 6:12). Notes on Satan at 1 Chron 21:1; Matt 4:1-10; John 8:44. Blinded the minds means Satan makes people unable to understand Gods truth and he keeps them from having spiritual sight. Of course, this is with their willing cooperation (John 3:19,20; 2 Thess 2:10,11). The glorious gospel of Christ the gospel reveals the glory of God and of His anointed one the Lord Jesus (John 12:23).
In the face compare 3:13. The glory of the old covenant, symbolized by the light in Moses face, was fading away. The glory on the face of Christ, the founder of the new covenant, will never fade away. 4:7 Treasure this knowledge of Gods glory in Christ is the greatest of treasures. Compare Ps 19:10; 119:72,127; Prov 2:1-5. By treasure Paul may also mean the ministry of the gospel entrusted to him. In his eyes this too was a glorious matter (Eph 3:8).
The image of God Heb 1:3; Phil 2:6; Col 1:15; 2:9; John 1:14,18; 12:45; 14:9. He is in visible form what the unseen God is.
Earthen vessels he means frail human nature, the body, soul, heart, and mind of individuals. All this is like a jar made of clay. The treasure is extremely great, but the containers it is in are very weak and unattractive by comparison. This shows that the power to give out this treasure to others, to be able ministers of
Would not shine on them or it could be translated would not be seen by them. 4:5 In this letter Paul had to defend his apostleship against attacks and he speaks
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so that the exceedingly great power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We are always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also might be revealed in our body. 11 For we who live are always being handed over to death for Jesus sake, so that the life of Jesus also might be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith as what is written, I believed, and therefore I have spoken, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and set us with you in
his presence. 15 For everything is for your sake, so that the grace that is spreading to many might overflow to the glory of God through the thanksgiving of many.
16 For this reason we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is wasting away, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that far exceeds it, 18 while we look, not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from 5
the new covenant (3:6), is altogether Gods power. Compare Acts 1:4,5,8. 4:8-12 In these verses Paul shows the weakness of the earthen vessels hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, death. But he shows also Gods power at work in them not crushed, not in despair, etc. If Gods power was not at work in these earthen vessels, these clay jars, they would not be able to accomplish anything and would surely be quickly destroyed. 4:10-12 Death see 1:8,9. The Lord Jesus faced the same hardships and persecutions Paul faced. What Paul faced was for Jesus sake (v 11) indeed, it was the dying of the Lord Jesus in him. This meant for Paul constant dangers and troubles (11:23-27), death to self (compare Matt 10:38,39; Luke 9:23), and living for Christ alone (Gal 2:20). Personal plans and ambitions, his own likes and dislikes, comforts, pleasures these had no place in his heart, just as they had no place in his Masters heart.
of this chapter.
Do not lose heart v 1. Wasting away vs 7-12. Renewed vs 10,11. He faced death daily (1 Cor 15:31), but God also gave him life daily. 4:17 Affliction look at his troubles and difficulties vs 8-10; 1:8; 11:23-27. Paul calls them light! He means they are insignificant compared with his future reward. What shall we say then of our little troubles? Shall we pity ourselves and complain? Not if we have the same understanding of this matter that Paul had.
For a moment Pauls troubles began shortly after his conversion and went on until his death, a great many years. But in Pauls view all of that was only like a moment compared to eternity. This is the view we too should have.
Producing for us troubles for Christs sake actually are working for the eternal good of those who suffer them. They help produce the glory which believers will receive. Compare Rom 8:17,18,28. 4:18 This was the reason why Paul could endure all that came to him, why all hardships were light and momentary in his eyes. But how can we fix our eyes on what is unseen? It is by the spiritual understanding God gives (v 6), and it is by faith that the unseen, eternal things of God are real (Heb 11:1). In 5:7 he expresses the same thing in different words. With our physical eyes we see the world and our troubles and difficulties. With the eyes of our faith and our spiritual understanding we can look into the face of Christ (4:6) and into eternity. And living our lives with our eyes fixed on unseen things, on eternal things, will have a profound effect on how we live. 5:1-10 Paul now speaks of some of those eternal unseen things he mentions in 4:18 an eternal house (vs 1-4), being home with the Lord (v 8), and final judgment and rewards (v 10). On these he fixed his eyes. 5:1 We know what Paul speaks of is not speculation. It is knowledge based on Gods revelation of truth. By earthly house he means our physical bodies (v 4). They will
Paul found that this was the way of life, spiritual life, the life of Jesus working in him (v 11). It also meant that spiritual life could come to others like the believers at Corinth (v 12). Here is a true principle those who would be a channel of spiritual life to others must be willing to experience their own dying. See John 12:24-26. Those who are not willing for this may have what they call success, but it will not be success in Gods eyes. 4:13,14 Ps 116:10. What enabled Paul to go on in Christs service in the face of all hardships and dangers? He believed God and so could not remain silent. And he was sure of a blessed future. The future resurrection of believers was the great hope that kept him going (Rom 8:23-25; 1 Cor 15:49-58). 4:15 All Pauls sufferings and experiences were for the good of others. And this is just what he desired Col 1:24; 1 Cor 10:33; 2 Tim 2:10. What a help this attitude is to any servant of God who has it! And what a blessing to others! See again Pauls concern that thanksgiving abound to God (not to himself) 1:11; 9:11-13. 4:16 A summing up of some of the themes
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God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this one we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our dwelling which is from heaven, 3 since, then being clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened; not that we want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now he who has made us for this very thing is God, who has also given us the Spirit as a pledge.
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that everyone may receive according to the things he has done in the body, whether good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. But we are clearly known to God, and, I trust, are also clearly known to your consciences. 12 For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have some answer for those who take pride in appearances, and not in things of the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God. If we are of sound mind , it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ constrains us,
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and prefer to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
die if death comes before the return of Christ (1 Cor 15:51,52).
that the Lord is not with us now while we are in the body on earth. We know He is with all believers 13:5; Matt 28:20; John 17:2023. But believers are not yet with the Lord in His immediate presence in heaven. Paul says that when they die they go into His presence. See also Phil 1:23,24. Compare Luke 23:43; John 17:24. 5:7 See 4:18. 5:9 Since believers are going to enter the presence of Christ, and be with Christ forever, it should have a profound effect on the way they live. Paul says it did have this effect on his own way of life. Whether alive or dead he wanted above everything else to please Christ. Those who please Christ will not have the goal of pleasing themselves, but will live for Christs glory and the good of others. Compare v 15; 1 Cor 9:19-23; 10:31. Those who do not wish to please Christ are not true servants of God. 5:10 Rom 14:10-12; 2:6; 1 Cor 3:13-15. Believers will receive rewards for deeds worthy of rewards, and denied rewards because of deeds unworthy of Christ. 5:11 Fear of the Lord Paul means reverence and awe. See Rom 3:18; Gen 20:11; Ps 34:11-14; 111:10; Prov 1:7. Thoughts of the coming judgment brought it to his mind. It was one powerful motive for his ministry. 5:12 1:12-14; 3:1-3. In this verse he refers again to his opponents at Corinth (11:1315). He wanted believers there to take pride in him that is, to be assured that he was a true apostle and teacher of Gods truth. Then they could answer the false teachers who took pride in mere outward things. 5:13 Did his opponents say he was mad? Did believers there think he acted sometimes in an abnormal manner? (Compare Mark 3:21; Acts 26:24; 1 Cor 4:10.) He wants them to know that whatever he was, however his behavior seemed to them, it was for God and for them, not for himself. Compare John 2:17. 5:14 Here is a motive for his ministry greater than the one in v 11. How is it he could do everything for Gods sake and for the good of others? The knowledge of Christs love, the experience of it in his heart (Rom 5:5)
But what does he mean by a building from God, an eternal house? There is disagreement about his meaning. He may be referring to the Fathers house of John 14:2. See also Heb 11:10; 13:14; Rev 21:10-27; Luke 16:9. Or Paul may mean the resurrection bodies which believers will receive at Christs coming (1 Cor 15:35-53). If tent is our present body, house would seem to mean a future body, and one not temporary as a tent is. 5:2 Groan see Rom 8:23. There the groaning is for the redemption of our bodies. So it may be his meaning here. Clothed also suggests something to be put on over the individual person or spirit of the person, and not a city which is like an eternal dwelling place in heaven. 5:3 Here naked seems to indicate a spirit without a body. 5:4 This seems to mean that believers do not groan to be rid of the present body, but to have a new body. The words clothed and mortality may be swallowed up by life are very similar to Pauls language when speaking of the resurrection of our bodies in 1 Cor 15:54. 5:5 Believers are Gods workmanship, a new creation (v 17; Eph 2:10). And He made us for the very purpose of clothing us with a heavenly dwelling (v 2) a dwelling place suited to heaven. See John 6:39,40.
Pledge or deposit or guarantee. Originally it meant earnest-money money given as a down payment, the rest of the money for the purchase to be given later. See also 1:22 and Eph 1:14. This is a pledge God gives to every believer signifying that He will fulfill all His promises to them and bring them into their future inheritance. We have no reason to think God ever changes His mind and takes back this pledge. Having given His own Spirit to us He will not withhold the future blessings He has promised. 5:6-8 Pauls confidence and knowledge resulted from Gods revelation, and all believers may have them. Compare 1 Cor 2:9-16. In these verses he does not mean
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because we judge that if one died for all, then all died, 15 and he died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them, and rose again.
is in Christ, that person is a new creation. Old things have passed away. See, all things have become new! 18 And all these things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And he has committed
16 Therefore, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Indeed, though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, yet now we no longer so regard him. 17 Therefore, if anyone
was a compelling force which drove him on in Gods work. (Compare Luke 12:50 where, in Greek, the same word is used.) Christ was in him, as in all believers, and so Christs love was in him. Because he was fully yielded to Christ he was fully yielded to Christs love. Christs love here does not mean his own love for Christ, but Christs love for all men. Compare 1 John 4:10,19. See Gal 2:20.
believers Paul, being without spiritual understanding, regarded others, including Christ, by outward things. Compare John 8:15. But knowing the meaning of Christs death changed his superficial way of judging. It caused him to view everyone in their relationship to Christ. 5:17 The word therefore links this with the previous verses. A person in Christ is a new creation. So naturally his view of Christ and of others and of himself will not be the same as it was before.
Constrains the Greek word means hold together, sustain, close together, press hard, seize, urge on, impel. No doubt the love of Christ can do all of that but probably the meaning here is press hard or urge on and impel.
In Christ see John 17:20,21; Rom 6:3,5; 8:1; 1 Cor 1:1; 12:12,13; Eph 1:1,4. A new creation speaks of spiritual birth (John 1:12,13; 3:3-8; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:23). Those who have experienced this can never be the same again. The old way of living for self and judging others and Christ from a worldly point of view goes. Old ideas and motives and principles go. New truth, new power to live according to it, and new desires and new motives enter the heart. Let us note carefully that this is true not merely of men like Paul but of anyone in Christ. 5:18 Of God see John 1:13; Eph 2:10; 4:24; Jam 1:18. People may turn over a new leaf but they cannot create new life in themselves. This is not merely difficult, it is impossible. They are no more able to do it than to make the first creation (Gen 1:1).
One died for all Christ died for all men. They all deserved to die because of their sin. He died in their place (v 19; John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Tim 2:6; Heb 2:9; 1 Pet 3:18; 1 John 2:2). So in Gods reckoning all died died when Christ died. What happened to mankinds substitute and representative is as though it happened to mankind. This does not mean that all people are saved. People are not saved simply because Christ died for them they must be reconciled to God (v 20). They must repent and believe in Christ (Luke 13:3; John 3:36; 8:24; Acts 17:30). They must be baptized into His death (Rom 6:3). Otherwise there is no salvation for anyone.
The death of Christ makes it possible for God to forgive all men, but only those who turn to Him for forgiveness through Christ receive salvation. Another possible interpretation of the words died for all is that Christ died for all whom God has given to Him, the elect (John 6:37; 17:6). This interpretation is favored by many scholars (but not by the author of these notes). Whichever interpretation we take one thing is very clear the eternal benefits of Christs death come only to those who believe in Him, not to all men. 5:15 Here was one great purpose of Christs death to break people loose from their self-centered and selfish way of living and make them Christ-centered. See also Rom 14:9. We see this was the result in Pauls case (v 9). Has it had the same effect in us? If not, do we know Him? Is our faith genuine? Being baptized into His death means to be baptized into His resurrection also. It means an altogether new way of life (v 17; Rom 6:4-7). Living for self is the ultimate disaster. Living for Christ is the ultimate blessing. See Matt 10:37-39; Luke 9:23; 14:26. 5:16 Before he became one of Christs
Reconciliation means to make friends out of enemies, and to remove the cause of separation and enmity. Sin had made people Gods enemies (Rom 5:10; Col 1:21). Gods anger was on them because of their sins (Rom 1:18. Notes on Gods anger at Num 25:3; Ps 90:7-11; John 3:36; etc). In order to reconcile people to Himself God had to deal with that which made Him angry and separated them from Him. This He did by sending His Son to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world (references at v 14). God has reconciled people through Christ Eph 2:16; Col 1:20,22. Having done so He sends His servants everywhere to proclaim this good news. This is the meaning of given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 5:19 Here is the message of reconciliation God gives His servants to declare. In v 18 Paul says God reconciled us. Now he speaks of Gods reconciling the world. This is in the past tense. Through the death of Christ God laid the foundation of eternal friendship between Himself and any human being on earth who wants it. He did not count mens sins against them. He took
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to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We beg people on Christs behalf to be reconciled to God. 21 For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Look, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.
3 We are giving no offense in anything, so that our ministry will not be not blamed, 4 but in everything we show ourselves to be servants of God: in much patient endurance, in troubles, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in hard work, in sleeplessness, in fastings, 6 by pureness, by understanding, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honour and dishonour, by evil report
We then, as workers together with him, plead with you also not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
I have heard you in an acceptable time,
and in the day of salvation
I have helped you.
1:1,4). Christ Himself is the righteousness of God (1 Cor 1:30; Rom 3:21-24; Acts 3:14). Believers are united to Him and so become righteous in Him, and, in Gods reckoning, what Christ is before God believers also are.
their sins and laid them on Christ (v 21; John 1:29; Isa 53:5,6). This does not mean that everyone is saved. It means that the way is open for everyone to be saved. To receive salvation people must receive what God has done for them and put their trust in Christ. If they will not they will perish (John 3:16,36). 5:20 Gods part in the work of reconciliation is twofold He sent His Son to die for our sins, and He sends His servants everywhere to preach this truth. But people also have their part be reconciled to God. This means to receive the reconciliation God has already made in Christ. It means the same as repenting and believing the gospel of Christ. Paul (and anyone else whom God sends to preach the gospel) was Christs ambassador.
6:1,2 Workers together 5:20; 1 Cor 3:9. The grace of God means the grace described in 5:21. Receiving it in vain would be to hear and know of it and do nothing about it. It means to receive it only in such a way that it has no effect on the life and does not result in salvation. To emphasize this point he refers to Isa 49:8. The day of salvation is now this whole era of Gods grace revealed in Christ. 6:3-10 Paul continues to defend his ministry. See 1:12-14. His emphasis on this shows his fear that some, or even many, in the church at Corinth might reject him as Christs ambassador, and accept the false teachers with their perverted gospel. So he sets before them his character and experiences. They reveal that he was a true servant of God. 6:3 Some people there were determined to discredit Pauls ministry. He was determined that he himself should not discredit it. 6:4,5 Compare 1:8; 4:8,9; 11:23-29; 1 Cor 4:9-13. It was in patiently enduring such things that they showed themselves to be true servants of Christ. What a contrast this must have been with the lives of the false teachers being accepted in Corinth, and this is something the Christians there should have seen with their own eyes. 6:6,7 Now he speaks of the qualities and power he revealed in his service for God. These are things every servant of Christ should have and cultivate. He is saying that such spiritual fruit in his life was proof that he was Gods servant and not a false prophet. Compare Matt 7:16-20. 6:7 Armour or it could be translated weapons 10:4; Eph 6:11-17. His weapons were not cunning and deceit, not harshness and brutality, but weapons of righteousness. They were given by the God of righteousness and Paul used them in a righteous way (1:12). 6:8-10 He went on serving God regardless of what people said about him, regardless
An ambassador is one who goes to a place to represent another or others. He does not speak or act on his own authority. He speaks what he is told to say by the one who sent him. Christ is in heaven, but His ambassadors are on earth speaking in His name and giving His message. Through them Christ is appealing to people, begging them (the word for you is not in the Greek of this verse. Believers in Corinth to whom Paul was writing had already been reconciled). See how God begs people to be saved. Compare Ezek 18:30-32. 5:21 Here are four great truths.
One, Christ was sinless (John 8:46; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Two, God made Him to be sin that is, God laid the sin of the world on Him and Christ bore the guilt and penalty of it. God counted Him as if He were sin. Every sin of man, all that is brutal and perverted and vile and corrupt and every other kind of sin was put to the account of the Holy Son of God (think of it!).
Third, this was for us (v 14; 1 Pet 3:18; 1 John 4:10). God put our sins to Christs account so that He might not have to leave them in our account.
Fourth, Gods purpose in this was that believers might become the righteousness of God in Christ. This speaks of justification (note at Rom 3:21-26), and of union with Christ (John 17:20-23; Rom 6:3-8; Eph
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and good report, regarded as deceivers, and yet true, 9 regarded as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying, and, see, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has the one who believes with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said,
11 O you Corinthians, our mouth is open to you, our heart has been made wide. 12 You are not restricted by us, you are restricted in your own inner being. 13 Now in return for this (I speak as to my children) you open wide to us.
I will dwell in them, and walk in them,
and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
17 Therefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you, 18 and will be a
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness
of his sufferings, regardless of his feelings, regardless of his poverty. In all circumstances he was proving that 5:14 was true of him. 6:10 Sorrowful 2:4; 5:4; Rom 9:2,3; 7:24. There is surely enough reason for sadness in the world, in the church, and in themselves to make all of Christs servants sorrowful. But though sad, Paul experienced a spring of joy always rising up in his heart 2:3; 7:4; Rom 5:11; 14:17; Gal 5:22.
unbelievers (1 Cor 5:9,10). Paul himself associated with unbelievers in order to win them to Christ (1 Cor 9:19-23. Compare Matt 11:19). But here he forbids close fellowship and common goals with unbelievers, any relationship which would lead to a compromise of Bible principles, or endanger the fellowship of believers with Christ. Any believer who acts against this principle is inviting trouble.
In vs 14-16 Paul asks five questions to show how foolish and wrong it is for believers to join themselves to unbelievers. Things and persons which have nothing in common should not be treated as if they did have. Separation from all evil and all evil persons is Gods command for His people (v 17). 6:14 Light believers are in the light, love the light, and are children of the light (Matt 5:14; John 3:21; 8:12; Eph 5:8; 1 Thess 5:5). The situation of unbelievers is just the opposite of all this (John 3:19; Eph 6:12; 1 John 2:9,11). Then should they willingly engage in joint ventures? 6:15 Belial this name comes from a Hebrew word meaning worthless and wicked. Paul uses it here as a name for Satan. Believers are joined to Christ, unbelievers are joined to Satan (Eph 2:2; John 8:44). How then can believers even dream of joining themselves to unbelievers? 6:16 Believers are the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Eph 2:21,22). Unbelievers are either worshipers of literal idols or idols in the mind (Eph 5:5), or make themselves like idols. So what agreement can there be between these two vastly different sorts of people? Paul refers to some Old Testament verses to show something of the meaning of being the temple of God Lev 26:11,12; Jer 32:38; Ezek 37:27. 6:17,18 Paul refers to OT Scriptures to give a fitting conclusion to this section. He does not give an exact quotation of any one verse, but probably had in mind such verses as Isa 52:11,12; 2 Sam 7:14; Jer 31:9; Isa 43:6. See the great thing he sets before those who are willing to be a distinct separate holy people. They lose the fellowship and pleasures of the world, but they gain the fellowship of Almighty God. Many people would like to have both, but this is not possible (Jam 4:4).
Poor compare Acts 3:6; Luke 6:20; 1 Tim 6:6-9. Paul had great spiritual gifts and abilities, and could have made much money had he chosen to do so. He preferred to follow the Lord Jesus who had no place to lay His head (Matt 8:20). So he was able to make many rich rich not in money and possessions but in eternal blessings. Compare 8:9.
Nothing, all things compare Phil 3:8; Matt 19:27; 1 Cor 3:21,22. 6:11-13 Opening wide the heart means making room in them. It indicates love and concern 7:2,3. Often the hearts of Christians are cramped and narrow. They have room only for the things which concern themselves. Compare Phil 2:4,21. 6:14-18 Paul now sets forth this very important truth believers in Christ are the special people of God and they should behave accordingly. Compare Deut 7:3-6; 1 Pet 2:9-12; John 17:6-10,17-19. Verse 14 gives a principle which applies to all believers in all times and in all places. They must not form any close alliances with unbelievers.
Yoked indicates being joined very closely together in a common aim and work. See Deut 22:10. Believers are yoked with Christ (Matt 11:28,29), so they must not yoke themselves with those who reject Christ. This certainly forbids marriage between believers and unbelievers (see also 1 Cor 7:39; Ezra 9:1,2; Neh 13:23-27; Mal 2:12). It also forbids fellowship with false teachers who preach a perverted gospel or who deny some of the basic truths of the Bible.
Of course, Paul is not forbidding believers to work in a place where unbelievers work, or to hire unbelievers to work for them. And it does not mean that they should cut themselves off from all contact with
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Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
and your zeal regarding me, I rejoiced even more.
8 For though I made you sad with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it, seeing that the same letter made you sad, but only for a little while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sad, but because your sorrow resulted in repentance. For you were made sad in a godly way, that you might not be injured by us in anything. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation about which there will be no regrets. But the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing: You grieved in a godly way. What earnestness it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what demands for justice! In everything you have shown yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Therefore, since we have these promises, dearly loved ones, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Welcome us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. 3 I do not speak this to condemn you; for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is the pride I take in you. I am filled with encouragement, I am exceedingly joyful in all our trouble.
5 For when we had come to Macedonia, our body had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 But God, who encourages those who are cast down, encouraged us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not by his coming only, but by the encouragement which he received with you. When he told us of your earnest longing, your mourning,
12 Therefore, though I wrote to you, I did not do it on account of the one who had done the wrong, or on account of the one who suffered the wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. 13 Therefore, we were encouraged by your encouragement. And we
7:1 Hearing Gods great promises should not leave us as we were before we heard them. God gives us His Word and shows us His grace so that we might obey Him and become the holy, separated, happy people He wants us to be. Compare Rom 12:1,2; 1 Cor 15:58; Eph 4:1; Col 3:1; Titus 2:11-14. Here Christs ambassador tells us we are to aim at perfection in holiness (see also 13:9,11. On perfection see note at Matt 5:48). Certainly he would not tell us to be half or three-quarters or nine-tenths holy that would be the same as encouraging us to be one half, or one quarter or one tenth unholy. Our goal should be to live as holy a life as Christ lived on earth.
standing fast in the faith and trying to obey the Word of God. 7:5 Paul, great apostle that he was, was not immune from fears, restlessness and struggles (2:13). 7:6 See 1:3,4. Titus had visited Corinth and came to Paul somewhere in Macedonia. 7:8 See 2:3,4. Because he saw that they were in spiritual danger he wrote them a very strong letter, a letter that hurt them. This was because he loved them and wanted to see them firmly grounded in Gods truth. Love is not weak and sentimental. Love does not let others ruin themselves without a word. 7:9 Their hurt and sorrow caused by Pauls letter produced a very good result repentance. They renounced certain evils, drew back from false paths and turned to God more wholeheartedly than ever. 7:10 Godly sorrow is sorrow that God produces, a sorrow that one has brought sorrow to Gods Spirit (Eph 4:30). Such sorrow causes those who have it to turn to God from all that grieves and offends Him.
Of course, aiming at perfection is not the same as achieving it. The world, spiritually speaking, is a filthy place and believers can easily be defiled by living in it. See John 13:10. Also believers have a sinful nature which can easily be a snare to them. See Rom 7:18; Gal 5:16,17; 1 John 1:8; etc.
The word perfecting indicates a continuing process. The work of perfection going on now will not be done in a moment. See in this verse that this work of perfecting holiness is something believers do themselves it is not some experience that they passively receive. Compare 1 Cor 9:27; Col 3:5; 1 John 3:3. Of course, such work cannot be done in our own strength Rom 8:13; Gal 5:16. See notes on sanctification at John 17:17-19; on holy at Lev 20:7.
Worldly sorrow is not related to God, but to ones self. It is due to loss or disappointment, or failure to get ones own way, or pain, or being caught in some sin that one wants to continue doing, etc. It sometimes brings remorse, but never true repentance (compare Matt 27:3-5). People with worldly sorrow go right ahead sinning. It leads to death as everything else worldly leads to death spiritual death. 7:11 See how godly sorrow and repentance work together. This very thing refers to 2:5-7. 7:12 See 2:9. Devoted to us meant devoted also to the truth of God. And this was the really important thing to Paul. 7:13-16 These verses are an illustration of
Fear of God see 5:11; 1 Pet 1:17. The fear of God is essential in the work of perfecting holiness in ourselves (Job 28:28; Ps 34:11-14). 7:2,3 See 6:11-13. 7:4 Joyful his joy in this case was the knowledge that the Christians in Corinth were
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rejoiced far more because of the joy of Titus, for his spirit was refreshed by all of you. 14 For if in anything I boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But just as everything we spoke to you was truth, even so the boast I made to Titus is found to be true. 15 And his deep affection for you is more abundant when he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we expected, but first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that since he had already made a beginning, so he should also bring to completion this same act of grace among you. 7 Therefore, just as you have an abundance in everything, in faith, and speaking, and knowledge, and in complete diligence, and in your love for us, see that you have an abundance of this grace also. 8 I am speaking, not by way of commandment, but because of the earnestness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Now, brethren, we inform you of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, 2 so that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the riches of their generosity. 3 For I bear them witness that according to their ability, indeed, even beyond their ability, on their own they were willing to give, 4 pleading with us earnestly that we would accept their gift and participation in the ministry to
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And in this regard I give my advice. This is best for you: You were the first to prepare to do this service and also to have the desire, and this was a year ago; 11 now, therefore, carry out the
how believers can refresh one another, find encouragement and joy from one another. They show too the delight in the heart of a soul winner when converts walk in the truth 3 John 3,4. 8:1 This chapter and the next are concerning a collection for believers in Jerusalem who were poor and in great need. See 1 Cor 16:1-4. But in writing of that local matter Paul gives us all some beautiful principles concerning giving in general.
They were glad to give to God all they were and all they had. Compare Rom 12:1,2. 8:6 Titus had been to Corinth (7:6). Now Paul plans to send him again (vs 16-18).
Bring to completion it seems that the Corinthians had not yet given the full amount they had promised, or the amount which they could easily give (9:5). 8:7 1 Cor 1:5-7. 8:8 Not by way of commandment he knew that the desire to give must come spontaneously from the heart. God does not want forced and unwilling giving (9:7). Love is the basis of the giving that pleases Him. Giving is a test of the sincerity of ones love for Christ. This is always true. The person who will not give to Christ does not love Christ, regardless of what he thinks or says. Paul, instead of giving commands about giving, set before them the example of the Macedonians. In v 9 he speaks of a far greater example. 8:9 The Lord Jesus had the grace of giving in full measure. In love He gave all He had. And He is an example to all believers.
We inform you of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia the KJV has we do you to wit, an expression which was clear to readers 400 years ago, but not to people now who are not familiar with the English of that day. There are a number of verses in 2 Corinthians in the KJV very hard for the general reader to understand. We hope the revised text we have produced will help to some extent to make the meaning clear. 8:1-5 The churches in Macedonia (which included those in Philippi and Thessalonica) wonderfully displayed the grace of giving this is the grace that God had given those churches (v 1). Believers there were very poor and faced severe persecution. But in spite of all that, they gave a contribution. They gave because of the abundance of their joy, Paul had not urged them to give. They earnestly pleaded with him to be allowed to give. They knew that giving to Christ and to Christs people was a privilege and not a painful duty.
He was rich John 1:1-3; 17:5; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. He became poor Luke 2:7; Matt 8:20; 17:27; 27:46; Phil 2:6-8; Isa 53:2-6. This was for your sakes, for the sake of all believers. Christ loved us and gave Himself for us John 10:11-18; Gal 2:20. He wanted us to become rich not money in the bank now, but the riches seen in Matt 19:28,29; John 14:2,3; Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 3:21-23; Eph 1:3,7,8; 1 Pet 1:4; Rev 21:7. This was possible only through His poverty that is, if Christ had not given up everything to die in the place of sinners no one would ever have received the riches of salvation. In the matter of love and the grace of giving, the apostles followed the Lords example 6:10; Acts 3:6; Matt 19:27. Do we? 8:11,12 Giving should be in proportion to
When all the churches and believers in this country and in the world come to understand this truth and act according to it what a blessing there will be in the churches and in the land and in the world. 8:5 They had far exceeded Pauls expectations. They not only gave money but, more importantly, gave themselves completely to the Lord and for any work that the Lords servants might ask them to do.