1Paul threateneth to vindicate his authority at his coming by punishing severely unreclaimed offenders. 5He adviseth the Corinthians to try if they had as good proofs of their faith, as he trusted to have of his mission. 7He wisheth that by a blameless conversation they might prevent him from using sharpness toward them, whatever became of his proofs. 11He concludeth with an exhortation, salutation, and prayer.
1THIS is 1the third time I am coming to you. Ina the mouth of two 2or three witnesses shall 3every word be established.
1 This he says, not that he was thrice at Corinth, but because he, having been there once, Acts 18, afterward had twice purposed and promised to come; once in the first epistle, 1 Cor. 16:5, and now here again.
a Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Mat. 18:16; John 8:17; Heb. 10:28.
2 Gr. and.
3 That is, every matter, or truth be confirmed.
2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them 4which heretoforeb have sinned, and to 5all other, that, if I come again, I 6will not spare:
4 Namely, of whom he has written in the first epistle, and who have not repented.
b before, previously*
5 Namely, who have since followed their example.
6 Namely, in the actual execution of the threatened punishment, or spiritual discipline and excommunication.
3Since ye 7seek a proof of Christ speaking 8in me, which to you-wardc is 9not weak, but is mighty in you.
7 That is, seem to seek; for such an one is said to seek God’s judgment, who, being warned, repents not.
8 Or, by me.
c toward you.
9 Namely, in the performance of mighty signs, and gifts of the Spirit, knowledge of tongues, and others suchlike.
4For though he was 10crucified 11through weakness, 12yet he liveth 13by the power of God. For 14we also are weak 15in him, but we 16shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
10 That is, suffered Himself to be crucified as a weak man, and given up to death for us, whereas nevertheless He was also in the form of God, Philip. 2:7.
11 Gr. out of, as also in what follows.
12 That is, is risen and exalted in glory.
13 That is, by the power of His Divine nature, which then manifested itself, although prior to that it kept itself in, John 2:19; 10:18. For that Paul here speaks of the divine power which is in Christ, appears from this that he threatens them with this power, which Christ will show forth by him against the rebellious, which, he says, is the same whereby Christ raised Himself from the dead. See Rom. 1:4 and 1 Peter 3:18.
14 That is, we carry ourselves as if we were but weak, contemptible men.
15 That is, as being His members, and as conformable unto Him therein.
16 That is, after the example of Christ we shall show towards you that the power of Christ lives in us, and shall manifest itself by His punishing hand against the disobedient.
517Examined yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; 18prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be 19reprobates?e
17 Namely, to be certainly convinced in your mind of the truth of mine apostleship; for so doing you shall find that you have true faith in Christ, and that Christ lives in you by His Spirit, which you have obtained by my Gospel.
d 1 Cor. 11:28.
18 Namely, by the true proofs and evidences of true faith, and of true union with Christ.
19 Or, are rejected, that is, are such persons as cannot endure the trial. The word except mollifies this threatening of the apostle, as if he would say, if you do not experience this, you are in danger to be reprobatory or rejected. For, who sincerely believes in Christ, he is well assured that he is elected, John 6:37; 8:47; Rom. 8:30, etc., but he who embraces not the preaching of the Gospel by a true faith, and neglects or despises the grace that is offered, is indeed in danger of being a rejected person, yet we must not despair of him as long as he lives, because the Lord sometimes also calls men at the eleventh hour, Mat. 20:6, 9, and also in the last moment of their life, as the murderer on the cross, Luke 23:40, etc.; Heb. 3:7, 13. And therefore this cannot be so taken here. Others take this word reprobate for being ill-suited for faith; however, all men are by nature unfit for it, until they are made suitable by God’s Spirit, 2 Cor. 3:5.
e refuse, disapproved, unfit*
6But I trust 20that ye shall know that we are not 21reprobates.
20 Namely, if you examine yourselves rightly.
21 That is, apostles who are rejected and despised, as they tell of us.
7Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; 22not that we should 23appear 24approved, but that ye should do that which is honest,f though we be 25as reprobates.
22 That is, not so much.
23 Gr. be manifest, or, seem.
24 That is, faithful and upright; might be found, held and known for faithful apostles.
f honorable, good*
25 Namely, before the eyes, and according to the esteem of men, seeing in such a case we should give no signs of our spiritual power in the punishments of sins.
8For we can do nothing against the truth, but 26for the truth.
26 That is, for defense and confirmation of the truth; under which he here also understands uprightness of life.
9For we are glad, when we are 27weak, and ye are 28strong: and this also we wish, even your 29perfection.
27 That is, in tribulation and contempt, as more than once before.
28 Namely, in the gifts and grace of God.
29 Or, restoring, building up, re-edifying.
10Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use 30sharpness, according to the power whichg the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to 31destruction.
30 Gr. severity.
g 2 Cor. 10:8.
31 That is, to break or smite down anyone by this punishing hand, or to rend him from the body of the congregation; but thereby to raise him up again, and to reconcile and unite him again unto Christ and His congregation. See 1 Cor. 5:5.
11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be 32perfect, be of good comfort, beh of one mind, livei in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
32 Or, set up again, re-edified, namely, unto union with one another.
h Rom. 12:16; 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; Philip. 2:2; 1 Peter 3:8.
i Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14.
12Greetj one another 33with an holy kiss.
j Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 1 Thes. 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14.
33 Namely, according to the custom of those Eastern countries, where this was a sign of unity, and of honor which they did one another. See Gen. 41:40; Psalm 2:12.
13All the saints salute you.
1434The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and 35the love of God, and 36the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
34 Namely, whereby He has reconciled us to God, Rom. 5:10.
35 Namely, wherewith He loves us in Christ Jesus, and receives and keeps us as His children, Rom. 8:39.
36 Namely, whereby we are more and more strengthened in this grace and love, and are assured thereof, Rom. 8:15. So that here is a clear testimony of the Holy Trinity; although the order of the Persons is not set down here, as Mat. 28:19.