2Cor 7:11, 2Pe 1:10, 3:14 | JFB | STEP | 11. Confirmation of from the Corinthians' own experience. carefulness —solicitude, literally, "diligence"; opposed to their past negligence in the matter. in you — Greek "for you." yea —not only "carefulness" or diligence, but also "clearing of yourselves," namely, to me by Titus: anxiety to show you disapproved of the deed. indignation —against the offender. fear —of the wrath of God, and of sinning any more [SCLATER and CALVIN ]; fear of Paul [GROTIUS ], ( ). vehement desire —longing for restoration to Paul's approval [CONYBEARE and HOWSON ]. "Fear" is in spite of one's self. "Longing desire" is spontaneous, and implies strong love and an aspiration for correction [CALVIN ]. "Desire" for the presence of Paul, as he had given them the hope of it ( ) [GROTIUS and ESTIUS ]. zeal —for right and for God's honor against what is wrong. Or, "for the good of the soul of the offender" [BENGEL ]. revenge — Translate, "Exacting of punishment" ( ). Their "carefulness" was exhibited in the six points just specified: "clearing of themselves," and "indignation" in relation to themselves; "fear" and "vehement desire" in respect to the apostle; "zeal" and "revenge" in respect to the offender [BENGEL ]; (compare ). In all —the respects just stated. clear — Greek, "pure," namely, from complicity in the guilty deed. "Approved yourselves," Greek, "commended yourselves." Whatever suspicion of complicity rested on you ( ) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.

2 Corinthians 7:11

11. Confirmation of 2Co 7:10 from the Corinthians' own experience.

carefulness—solicitude, literally, "diligence"; opposed to their past negligence in the matter.

in you—Greek "for you."

yea—not only "carefulness" or diligence, but also "clearing of yourselves," namely, to me by Titus: anxiety to show you disapproved of the deed.

indignation—against the offender.

fear—of the wrath of God, and of sinning any more [SCLATER and CALVIN]; fear of Paul [GROTIUS], (1Co 4:2, 19-21).

vehement desire—longing for restoration to Paul's approval [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. "Fear" is in spite of one's self. "Longing desire" is spontaneous, and implies strong love and an aspiration for correction [CALVIN]. "Desire" for the presence of Paul, as he had given them the hope of it (1Co 4:19; 16:5) [GROTIUS and ESTIUS].

zeal—for right and for God's honor against what is wrong. Or, "for the good of the soul of the offender" [BENGEL].

revenge—Translate, "Exacting of punishment" (1Co 5:2, 3). Their "carefulness" was exhibited in the six points just specified: "clearing of themselves," and "indignation" in relation to themselves; "fear" and "vehement desire" in respect to the apostle; "zeal" and "revenge" in respect to the offender [BENGEL]; (compare 2Co 7:7).

In all—the respects just stated.

clear—Greek, "pure," namely, from complicity in the guilty deed. "Approved yourselves," Greek, "commended yourselves." Whatever suspicion of complicity rested on you (1Co 5:2, 6) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.

2 Peter 1:10

10. Wherefore—seeking the blessed consequence of having, and the evil effects of not having, these graces (2Pe 1:8, 9).

the rather—the more earnestly.

brethren—marking that it is affection for them which constrains him so earnestly to urge them. Nowhere else does he so address them, which makes his calling them so here the more emphatical.

give diligence—The Greek aorist implies one lifelong effect [ALFORD].

to make—Greek middle voice; to make so far as it depends on you; to do your part towards making. "To make" absolutely and finally is God's part, and would be in the active.

your calling and election sure—by ministering additionally in your faith virtue, and in your virtue knowledge, &c. God must work all these graces in us, yet not so that we should be mere machines, but willing instruments in His hands in making His election of us "secure." The ensuring of our election is spoken of not in respect to God, whose counsel is steadfast and everlasting, but in respect to our part. There is no uncertainty on His part, but on ours the only security is our faith in His promise and the fruits of the Spirit (2Pe 1:5-7, 11). Peter subjoins election to calling, because the calling is the effect and proof of God's election, which goes before and is the main thing (Ro 8:28, 30, 33, where God's "elect" are those "predestinated," and election is "His purpose," according to which He "called" them). We know His calling before His election, thereby calling is put first.

fall—Greek, "stumble" and fall finally (Ro 11:11). Metaphor from one stumbling in a race (1Co 9:24).

2 Peter 3:14

14. that ye . . . be found of him—"in His sight" [ALFORD], at His coming; plainly implying a personal coming.

without spot—at the coming marriage feast of the Lamb, in contrast to 2Pe 2:13, "Spots they are and blemishes while they feast," not having on the King's pure wedding garment.

blameless— (1Co 1:8; Php 1:10; 1Th 3:13; 5:23).

in peace—in all its aspects, towards God, your own consciences, and your fellow men, and as its consequence eternal blessedness: "the God of peace" will effect this for you.