2Cor 1:1-7 | Clarke | STEP | It is a general opinion among learned men that this epistle was written about a year after the former: and this seems to be supported by the words, : Achaia was ready a year ago; for the apostle having given instructions for that collection, to which he refers in these words at the close of the preceding epistle, they would not have had the forwardness there mentioned till a year had elapsed. As the apostle had purposed to stay at Ephesus till pentecost, ; and he stayed some time in Asia after his purpose to leave Ephesus and go to Macedonia, , ; and yet making here his apology for not wintering in Corinth, as he thought to do, ; this epistle must have been written after the winter, and consequently when a new year was begun. It therefore, says Dr. Whitby, seems to have been written after his second coming to Macedonia, mentioned . For, (1.) It was written after he had been at Troas, and had left that place to return to Macedonia: now that was at his second going thither; see . (2.) It was written when Timothy was with him: now, when he left Ephesus to go into Macedonia, Timothy went not with him, but was sent before him, ; but at his second going through Macedonia, Timothy was with him, . (3.) He speaks of some Macedonians who were likely to accompany him, . Now, at his second going from Macedonia, there accompanied him Aristarchus, Secundus, and Gaius of Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedonia, . (4.) The postscript says that this epistle was written from Philippi, where Paul was till the days of unleavened bread, ; it therefore seems to have been sent from thence to them by Titus, and some other person, not long before St. Paul's coming to them; which he speaks of as instant, ; and that which he was now ready to do, ; and did, according to Dr. Lightfoot, in his journey from Philippi to Troas; he sailing about from Philippi to Corinth, to make good his promise; whilst the rest that were with him, , went directly the next cut to Troas, and there waited for him. See Whitby. That the first epistle had produced powerful effects among the Corinthians is evident from what the apostle mentions in this. Titus had met him in Macedonia, and told him of the reformation produced by this epistle, see , ; that the Church had excommunicated the incestuous man; that the epistle had overwhelmed them with great distress; had led them to a close examination of their conduct and state; and had filled them with respect and affection for their apostle, etc. Hearing this, St. Paul wrote this second epistle, to comfort, to commend them, and to complete the work which he had begun, by causing them to finish the contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem; and also to vindicate his own apostolic character, and to unmask the pretended apostle, who had led them so long astray. See the preceding Introduction. Its principal divisions are: - I. The preface, . II. The Narration, comprehending an account of what had happened to himself; his answer to their questions concerning the incestuous person, with different other matters; among which, the following are the chief: - (1.) The persecution which he had suffered in Asia, and from which he had been miraculously rescued, . (2.) His purpose to pay them a visit, . (3.) Concerning the sorrow which they had suffered on account of the excommunication of the incestuous person, 2 Corinthians 2, 7. (4.) His own vindication against the false apostle; in which he gives an account of his doctrine, . His conduct, . His bodily infirmities, ; and 2 Corinthians 5. (5.) Strongly exhorts them to a holy life, 2 Corinthians 6, 7. III. Of the Alms that had been collected, and were yet to be collected, 2 Corinthians 8, . IV. His Defence against the false apostle and his calumniators in general, 2 Corinthians 10-12. V. Miscellaneous matters, . It may be remarked, once for all, that none of these or such artificial divisions are made by the apostle himself, no more than the divisions into chapters and verses. All these are the work of man, and certainly contribute nothing to a proper understanding of the epistle itself. The apostle appears to have sat down, and, under the influence of the Divine Spirit, he wrote on the different subjects treated of in the epistle just in the order that these things occurred to his mind, without intending particular heads, divisions or subdivisions. And, as he probably wrote the whole with very little intermission of time, his sense will be best apprehended by those who carefully read over the whole at one sitting. St. Paul encourages them to trust in God in all adversities, from a consideration of the support which he had granted them already in times of afflictions; and expresses his strong confidence of their fidelity, . Mentions the heavy tribulation which he had passed through in Asia; as also his deliverance, . Shows in what the exultation of a genuine Christian consists, . Appeals to their own knowledge of the truth of the things which he wrote to them, , . Mentions his purpose of visiting them; and how sincere he was in forming it; and the reason why he did not come, as he had purposed, . Verse 1 Paul, an apostle - Paul, commissioned immediately by Jesus Christ himself, according to the will of God, to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. See on (note). In all Achaia - The whole of the Peloponnesus, or that country separated from the main land by the Isthmus of Corinth. From this we may learn that this epistle was not only sent to the Church at Corinth, but to all the Churches in that country.

2 Corinthians 1:1-7

Preface to the Second Epistle to the Corinthians

It is a general opinion among learned men that this epistle was written about a year after the former: and this seems to be supported by the words, 2Cor 9:2 : Achaia was ready a year ago; for the apostle having given instructions for that collection, to which he refers in these words at the close of the preceding epistle, they would not have had the forwardness there mentioned till a year had elapsed. As the apostle had purposed to stay at Ephesus till pentecost, 1Cor 16:8; and he stayed some time in Asia after his purpose to leave Ephesus and go to Macedonia, Act 9:21, Act 9:22; and yet making here his apology for not wintering in Corinth, as he thought to do, 1Cor 16:6; this epistle must have been written after the winter, and consequently when a new year was begun. It therefore, says Dr. Whitby, seems to have been written after his second coming to Macedonia, mentioned Act 20:3. For, (1.) It was written after he had been at Troas, and had left that place to return to Macedonia: now that was at his second going thither; see 2Cor 2:12. (2.) It was written when Timothy was with him: now, when he left Ephesus to go into Macedonia, Timothy went not with him, but was sent before him, Act 19:22; but at his second going through Macedonia, Timothy was with him, Act 20:4. (3.) He speaks of some Macedonians who were likely to accompany him, 2Cor 9:4. Now, at his second going from Macedonia, there accompanied him Aristarchus, Secundus, and Gaius of Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedonia, Act 20:4. (4.) The postscript says that this epistle was written from Philippi, where Paul was till the days of unleavened bread, Act 20:6; it therefore seems to have been sent from thence to them by Titus, and some other person, not long before St. Paul's coming to them; which he speaks of as instant, 2Cor 13:1; and that which he was now ready to do, 2Cor 12:14; and did, according to Dr. Lightfoot, in his journey from Philippi to Troas; he sailing about from Philippi to Corinth, to make good his promise; whilst the rest that were with him, Act 20:4, went directly the next cut to Troas, and there waited for him. See Whitby.

That the first epistle had produced powerful effects among the Corinthians is evident from what the apostle mentions in this. Titus had met him in Macedonia, and told him of the reformation produced by this epistle, see 2Cor 7:5, 2Cor 7:6; that the Church had excommunicated the incestuous man; that the epistle had overwhelmed them with great distress; had led them to a close examination of their conduct and state; and had filled them with respect and affection for their apostle, etc. Hearing this, St. Paul wrote this second epistle, to comfort, to commend them, and to complete the work which he had begun, by causing them to finish the contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem; and also to vindicate his own apostolic character, and to unmask the pretended apostle, who had led them so long astray. See the preceding Introduction.

Its principal divisions are: -

I. The preface, 2Cor 1:1-7.

II. The Narration, comprehending an account of what had happened to himself; his answer to their questions concerning the incestuous person, with different other matters; among which, the following are the chief: - (1.) The persecution which he had suffered in Asia, and from which he had been miraculously rescued, 2Cor 1:8-14. (2.) His purpose to pay them a visit, 2Cor 1:15-24. (3.) Concerning the sorrow which they had suffered on account of the excommunication of the incestuous person, 2 Corinthians 2, 7. (4.) His own vindication against the false apostle; in which he gives an account of his doctrine, 2Cor 3:6-18. His conduct, 2Cor 4:1-6. His bodily infirmities, 2Cor 4:7; and 2 Corinthians 5. (5.) Strongly exhorts them to a holy life, 2 Corinthians 6, 7.

III. Of the Alms that had been collected, and were yet to be collected, 2 Corinthians 8, 2Cor 9:1-15.

IV. His Defence against the false apostle and his calumniators in general, 2 Corinthians 10-12.

V. Miscellaneous matters, 2Cor 13:1-14.

It may be remarked, once for all, that none of these or such artificial divisions are made by the apostle himself, no more than the divisions into chapters and verses. All these are the work of man, and certainly contribute nothing to a proper understanding of the epistle itself. The apostle appears to have sat down, and, under the influence of the Divine Spirit, he wrote on the different subjects treated of in the epistle just in the order that these things occurred to his mind, without intending particular heads, divisions or subdivisions. And, as he probably wrote the whole with very little intermission of time, his sense will be best apprehended by those who carefully read over the whole at one sitting.

St. Paul encourages them to trust in God in all adversities, from a consideration of the support which he had granted them already in times of afflictions; and expresses his strong confidence of their fidelity, 2Cor 1:1-7. Mentions the heavy tribulation which he had passed through in Asia; as also his deliverance, 2Cor 1:8-11. Shows in what the exultation of a genuine Christian consists, 2Cor 1:12. Appeals to their own knowledge of the truth of the things which he wrote to them, 2Cor 1:13, 2Cor 1:14. Mentions his purpose of visiting them; and how sincere he was in forming it; and the reason why he did not come, as he had purposed, 2Cor 1:15-24.

Verse 1

Paul, an apostle - Paul, commissioned immediately by Jesus Christ himself, according to the will of God, to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. See on 1Cor 1:1 (note).

In all Achaia - The whole of the Peloponnesus, or that country separated from the main land by the Isthmus of Corinth. From this we may learn that this epistle was not only sent to the Church at Corinth, but to all the Churches in that country. Verse 2

Grace be to you and peace - See Rom 1:7. Verse 3

Blessed be God - Let God have universal and eternal praise:

1. Because he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the gift of his endless love to man, Joh 1:16.

2. Because he is the Father of mercies, ὁ Πατηρ των οικτιρμων, the source whence all mercy flows, whether it respect the body or the soul, time or eternity; the source of tender mercy; for so the word implies. See on Rom 12:1 (note). And,

3. Because he is the God of all comfort - the Fountain whence all consolation, happiness, and bliss flow to angels and to men. Verse 4

Who comforteth us - Who shows himself to be the God of tender mercy, by condescending to notice us, who have never deserved any good at his hand; and also the God of all consolation, by comforting us in all our tribulation - never leaving us a prey to anxiety, carking care, persecution, or temptation; but, by the comforts of his Spirit, bearing us up in, through, and above, all our trials and difficulties.

That we may be able to comfort them - Even spiritual comforts are not given us for our use alone; they, like all the gifts of God, are given that they may be distributed, or become the instruments of help to others. A minister's trials and comforts are permitted and sent for the benefit of the Church. What a miserable preacher must he be who has all his divinity by study and learning, and nothing by experience! If his soul have not gone through all the travail of regeneration, if his heart have not felt the love of God shed abroad in it by the Holy Ghost, he can neither instruct the ignorant nor comfort the distressed. See 2Cor 1:6. Verse 5

The sufferings of Christ - Suffering endured for the cause of Christ: such as persecutions, hardships, and privations of different kinds.

Our consolation also aboundeth - We stood as well, as firmly, and as easily, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall abound, as his sufferings abound. Is it not as easy for a man to lift one hundred pounds' weight, as it is for an infant to lift a few ounces? The proportion of strength destroys the comparative difficulty. Verse 6

And whether we be afflicted - See on 2Cor 1:4 (note).

Which is effectual - There is a strange and unusual variation in the MSS. and versions in this passage. Perhaps the whole should be read thus: For if we be afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; and if we be comforted, it is also for your encouragement, which exerted itself by enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.

This transposition of the middle and last clauses is authorized by the best MSS. and versions. The meaning seems to be this: While ye abide faithful to God, no suffering can be prejudicial to you; on the contrary, it will be advantageous; God having your comfort and salvation continually in view, by all the dispensations of his providence: and while you patiently endure, your salvation is advanced; sufferings and consolations all becoming energetic means of accomplishing the great design, for all things work together for good to them that love God. See the variations in Griesbach. Verse 7

And our hope of you is steadfast - We have no doubt of your continuing in the truth; because we see that you have such a full, experimental knowledge of it, that no sufferings or persecutions can turn you aside. And we are sure that, as ye suffer, so shall ye rejoice.