Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Corinthians
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 11
Overview:
The
Apostle gives the reasons for speaking in his own
commendation.
(1-14) Shows that he had freely preached the
Gospel.
(5-15) Explains what he was going to add in defence of
his own character.
(16-21) He gives an account of his labours,
cares, sufferings, dangers, and deliverances.
(22-33)
1-4 The
Apostle desired to preserve the
Corinthians from being
corrupted
By the false apostles. There is but one
Jesus, one
Spirit, and one
Gospel, to be preached to them, and received
By
them; and why should any be prejudiced,
By the devices of an
Adversary, against him who first taught them in
Faith? They
should not listen to men, who, without cause, would draw them
away from those who were the means of their
Conversion.
5-15 It is far better to be
Plain in speech, yet walking openly
and consistently with the
Gospel, than to be admired
By
Thousands, and be lifted up in pride,
So as to disgrace the
Gospel By evil tempers and unholy lives. The
Apostle would not
give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching
the
Gospel, that others who opposed him at
Corinth, might not in
this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked
for, especially when we consider the great power which
Satan,
who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has
upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil
conduct,
So there is equal danger
On the other side. It serves
Satan's purposes as
Well, to set up good
Works against the
Atonement of
Christ, and
Salvation By Faith and
Grace. But the
End will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work
will
End in ruin.
Satan will allow his ministers to preach
either the
Law or the
Gospel separately; but the
Law as
established
By Faith in
Christ's
Righteousness and
Atonement,
and the partaking of his
Spirit, is the test of every false
system.
16-21 It is the duty and practice of Christians to humble
themselves, in obedience to the command and
Example of the
Lord;
yet prudence must direct in what it is needful to do things
which we may do lawfully, even the speaking of what
God has
wrought for us, and in us, and
By us. Doubtless here is
reference to facts in which the character of the false apostles
had been shown. It is astonishing to see how such men bring
their followers into
Bondage, and how they take from them and
insult them.
22-33 The
Apostle gives an account of his labours and
sufferings; not out of pride or vain-
Glory, but to the honour of
God, who enabled him to do and suffer
So much for the cause of
Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who
tried to lessen his character and usefulness. It astonishes us
to reflect
On this account of his dangers, hardships, and
sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance,
diligence, cheerfulness, and usefulness, in the midst of all
these trials. See what little reason we have to
Love the pomp
and plenty of this world, when this blessed
Apostle felt
So much
hardship in it. Our utmost diligence and services appear
unworthy of notice when compared with his, and our difficulties
and trials scarcely can be perceived. It may
Well lead us to
inquire whether or not we really are followers of
Christ. Here
we may study patience, courage, and firm trust in
God. Here we
may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should ever
strictly keep to
Truth, as in
God's presence; and should refer
all to his
Glory, as the
Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who is
blessed for evermore.