Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Corinthians
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 2
Overview:
Reasons for the
Apostle not coming to
Corinth.
(1-4)
Directions about restoring the repentant offender.
(5-11) An
account of his labours and success in spreading the
Gospel of
Christ.
(12-17)
1-4 The
Apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them;
and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to
their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be
glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should
always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it
must be given.
5-11 The
Apostle desires them to receive the person who had
done wrong, again into their
Communion; for he was aware of his
fault, and much afflicted under his
Punishment. Even sorrow for
Sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not
only was there danger last
Satan should get advantage,
By
tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of
God and religion, and
So drive him to despair; but against the churches and the
ministers of
Christ,
By bringing an evil report upon Christians
as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success
of the ministry. In this, as in other things,
Wisdom is to be
used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging
Sin On
the one
Hand, or for too great severity towards sinners
On the
other
Hand.
Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to
make a bad use of our mistakes.
12-17 A believer's triumphs are all in
Christ. To him be the
praise and
Glory of all, while the success of the
Gospel is a
good reason for a
Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient
triumphs, abundance of
Perfumes and sweet odours were used;
So
the name and
Salvation of
Jesus, as
Ointment poured out, was a
sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the
Gospel is a
savour of
Death unto
Death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto
others, the
Gospel is a savour of
Life unto
Life: as it
quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and
sins,
So it makes them more lively, and will
End in eternal
Life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the
Apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of
ourselves we have
No strength at all; all our sufficiency is of
God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity,
as in the sight of
God, is not of
God, does not come from him,
and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in
this matter; and seek the
Testimony of our consciences, under
the teaching of the Holy
Spirit, that as of sincerity,
So speak
we in
Christ and of
Christ.