To the second Epistle to the Corinthians. which he prosecuted the gospel-ministry, he makes a kind of apology for it, pleading the irresistible constraints of the Redeemer's love, and the infinite importance of the overtures of reconciliation; which in a most pathetic address he urges the Corinthians to embrace; (ver. 11, to the end, chap. vi. 1, 2;) And then expatiates with great copiousness on the temper with which, in the midst of afflictions and persecutions, he and his brethren executed their important embassy, (ver. 3-10.) It is easy to observe, on the most cursory view of this argument, with what delicacy, as well as energy, it is all along conducted. As the apostle manages his subject in the tenderest and most affectionate manner, and intermingles general reflections for the instruction and consolation of the Corinthians; which however had an evident subservience to his main design; he conciliates their regard, and fixes the impressions which his former epistle had made, in a more insinuating and therefore more effectual way, than if he had exerted his authority, and wrote with more closeness and severity of stile. And having been informed by Titus, that the defence of his mission, and apology for his conduct, contained in his former epistle, had not been utterly in vain, he manifests his satisfaction in the present disposition of the Corinthians, by giving his reasonings upon this head a more diffusive and practical turn. After this, the epistle affords us a further instance of his affection, in his judicious and pathetic exhortation to the Corinthians, (additional to what he had formerly said, when they desired his opinion upon the head of marriage,) to avoid those alliances or intermarriages with idolaters, which might tend to ensnare them; pleading the gracious promises of God to his people, as an engagement to the strictest purity, and as a motive to aspire after the sublimest attainments in religion. (ver. 11, to the end. chap. vii. 1. From this digression he returns to the subject he had before been treating; and to remove any degree of prejudice which might yet lurk in their breasts against his apostolical character, he appeals to them for the integrity and disinterestedness of his conduct; professing that the freedom he uses, was not intended to reproach their diffidence, but sprung from an unfeigned and ardent concern for their welfare; which he illustrates by the pleasure with which he received the assurances of their good state by Titus, and the part he had taken in their sorrows, which his necessary reproofs had occasioned, and by his present joy, in that those sorrows had happily issued in their reformation. (ver. 2, to the end.) The apostle had proposed to the Corinthians, in the close of the former epistle, their making a contribution for the relief of the poor saints in Judea: resuming the subject, he recommends to them the example of the Macedonians, reminds them of the grace of our blessed Redeemer, and gives some advices as to the VOL. IX. Q manner 123 124 A General Introduction manner of collecting and transmitting their bounty; (chap. viii. 1-13.) Expressing his joy for the readiness of Titus to assist in finishing the collection, and making an honourable mention of the worthy character of other Christian brethren, whom he had joined with him in the same commission. (ver. 16, to the end.) He then with admirable address further urges their liberal contribution, and in a full assurance of its success, recommends them to the Divine blessing. (chap. ix. throughout.) Having expressed in the former part of the epistle, and on occasion of this contribution, his confidence in the abundant grace which had been bestowed on the Corinthians, the apostle takes an opportunity of stating and obviating some reflections which some among them had thrown upon him for the mildness of his conduct, as if it proceeded from fear. He therefore asserts his apostolical power and authority; cautioning his opponents that they should not urge him to give too sensible demonstrations of it upon themselves. (chap. x. throughout.) And further vindicates himself from the perverse insinuations of such as opposed him at Corinth; particularly on the head of his having declined to receive a contribution from the church for his maintenance; which, though greatly to his honour, was by his opposers ungenerously turned to his disadvantage. (chap. ix. 1-15) To magnify his office as an apostle, he commemorates his labours and sufferings in the cause of Christ; yet in such a manner, as plainly shews, it was disagreeable, however necessary it might be, to dwell on a subject that appeared like sounding his own applause, (ver. 16, to the end.) And with great clearness and plainness, yet at the same time with equal reluctance and modesty, he gives a detail of some extraordinary revelations which he had received from God, and of his experience of those Divine aids which taught him to glory in his own infirmities. (chap. xii. 1-10.) And upon the whole, vindicates the undisguised openness and sincerity of his conduct, and his visible superiority to secular considerations, in all his carriage towards the church at Corinth. (ver. 11, to the end.) Closing his epistle with the tenderest assurances, how much it would grieve him to be obliged to evince his apostolical power, by inflicting any miraculous punishment on those who continued to oppose him; and then subjoining the most respectful salutations, and his solemn benediction. (chap. xiii. throughout.) It is evident from this view of the epistle, that a very large part of it is employed in reclaiming the Corinthian church from their undue attachment to Judaizing teachers, and from that party-spirit into which they had fallen; and in re-kindling proper regards to the unadulterated doctrine of the gospel, and to his own apostolical counsels, who had been their spiritual father in Christ. That this leading design of the apostle is occasionally interrupted by the introduction of other matters, and particularly the to the second Epistle to the Corinthians. the subject of the contribution for the poor saints in Judea, will be no objection, I apprehend, if narrowly examined, to the accuracy and beauty of this excellent composition; for the transitions which St. Paul makes, arise from some obvious and important sentiments, which render them natural and just. And there is an admirable wisdom in such digressions, as they relieve the minds of the Corinthians from that painful uneasiness which they must have felt from a constant attention to so disagreeable a subject; I mean their unsuitable conduct towards the apostle himself. It is with the same kind of propriety and sagacity, that the severe intimations, which the dignity of the apostolic character obliged St. Paul to drop against those who might persevere in their opposition, are reserved to the close of the epistle; as they would fall with additional weight, in all probability, after their minds had been softened with the reiterated expressions of his tender affection to the Corinthians in general, and the innocence and amiableness of his character had been represented in such a variety of views. 125 A PARAPHRASE AND NOTES ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. SECTION. I. The apostle Paul, after a general salutation, expresses his grateful sense of the Divine goodness, in preserving him from the dangers to which he had been exposed in Asia; professing his unshaken confidence in God's continued guardianship, supported by the consciousness of his integrity before him. 2 Cor. I. 1-12. 2 COR. I. 1. PAUL an apostle of which is at Corinth, with all the samts which are in all Achaia: YOU 2 CORINTHIANS I. 1. 1.1. Jesus Christ by the OU receive this epistle from Paul, who SECT. will of God, and Timo- hath the honour to call himself an apostle thy our brother, unto of Jesus Christ, by the sovereign will of God; 2 Cor. the church of God who hath shewn by the victory of his grace over me, how able he is to bend the most obdurate and reluctant will to his own purposes, and triumph over the opposition of the most obstinate heart. And Timothy, a beloved brother in Christ Jesus, joins with me in this second address to the church of God, that is in Corinth; whom he hath mercifully called out from the world, a Timothy, a beloved brother.] This shews, that Timothy was returned to St. Paul, since he wrote the last epistle; and his joining the name of Timothy with his own, is an instance of the generous desire which St. Paul had to establish, as much as possible, the reputation and influence of this excellent young minister. Some have thought this is the reason why the apostle so often speaks in the plural number in this epistle; but it is certain, a he often speaks in the singular, and that b Cannot |