2 Corinthians 1 · Family Bible Notes
1–4Steadfast ; in the faith and practice of the gospel, in habitual lively confidence of the resurrection, the day of judgment, and the retributions of eternity. Unmovable ; not discouraged by opposition or difficulties; not led even to doubt about the complete fulfilment of all which God has declared. In the work of the Lord ; in labors to honor him and do good. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord ; what you do to honor Christ shall receive a glorious and an eternal reward. The certainty of the resurrection, of the day of judgment, and the retributions of eternity, should lead all to make it their great object to learn and do the will of God; hearkening daily to his voice, believing heartily his declarations, and obeying cheerfully and perseveringly his commands.
5The afflictions and consolations of faithful ministers are designed to prepare them for giving instruction and comfort to the afflicted.
6The sufferings of Christ ; sufferings like those of Christ, or endured in Christ's cause. All Christ's disciples, each in his own measure, must first suffer with Christ, that they may afterwards be partakers of his glory. Ro 8:17; 2Ti 2:12.
7It is for your consolation and salvation ; our affliction is endured in behalf of you, as of all the churches, and redounds to your comfort and salvation. Which is effectual ; which salvation of yours--including also the consolation accompanying it--is effectual; that is, active and efficacious. It has a vigorous life and growth in your souls, and exerts its power in them more and more. In the enduring--we also suffer ; no while you simply look on and see us suffer in your behalf, but while you share with us the same sufferings.
8The consolation ; which Christ gives to those who suffer for his sake. Great sufferings are usually accompanied by great consolations, and increase both our present and our eternal good.
9Pressed out of measure ; exceedingly distressed.
10Sentence of death ; were cut off from all human means of help, and doomed apparently to immediate death.
11From so great a death ; of the particular kind of death to which the apostle was exposed we have no certain knowledge. We only know from the present verse that it was very terrible.
12The gift ; the deliverance just referred to. By the means of many persons ; by means of their intercessory prayers for the apostle and his helpers, which God heard and answered. By many ; the many who have prayed for the gift. As Christians may by prayer greatly assist absent friends and bring an increased revenue of glory to God, they should pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watch thereunto with all perseverance. Eph 6:18.
13In simplicity ; with a single view to the glory of God and the good of men. Fleshly wisdom ; worldly, selfish, underhanded policy. Had our conversation ; conducted ourselves in all things; according to the old meaning of the word conversation, that is, deportment, manner of life. To you-ward ; in whose case there has been especial occasion for circumspection.
14Than what ye read ; the opponents of Paul in Corinth had probably accused him of insincerity in his former epistle. He assures them that he has no hidden end, but that what they read is precisely what he means. Or acknowledge ; that is, recognize and know to be true from your own personal acquaintance with me: as much as to say, What I write agrees with what you already know of me. Shall acknowledge even to the end ; by finding me to be a person who does not change.
15In part ; he makes this limitation because there were some in Corinth who did not acknowledge his worth and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
16In this confidence ; that we are your rejoicing, and ye ours, as verse 2Co 1:14. To come unto you before ; before visiting Macedonia, whence he wrote to them this letter; namely, by calling on the Corinthians on his was thither, verse 2Co 1:16. A second benefit ; the words probably mean, the benefit of a second visit from me when I should return to you from Macedonia, as stated in the following verse.
18Use lightness ; was he fickleminded, as some charged him, because he did not fulfill his purpose of visiting them on his way to Macedonia? According to the flesh ; as insincere, selfish, and worldly men do, changing their plans and promises to suit their own convenience.
19Our word ; or, as the margin, our preaching; for the apostle adduces the steadfastness and consistency of his preaching as the great proof of his general steadfastness. Was not yea and nay ; was not now yes, and now no. Like Christ, its author, it was not a changeable, but a steadfast doctrine. We may, for good reasons, change our intentions and plans; but all men, especially ministers of the gospel, should be on their guard against every thing like fickleness of purpose or worldly policy.
20Silvanus ; the same as Silas, Ac 15:22. In him was yea ; all the promises made in him were only yea--steadfast and sure, as is asserted in the following verse. It is implied that Paul, the preacher of such a Saviour, was steadfast also.
22Hath anointed us ; us Christians, by his Holy Spirit. 1Jo 2:20,27.
23Sealed us ; marked as his own. The agent of this sealing is the Holy Spirit, as immediately stated. The earnest of the Spirit in our hearts ; the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, and giving us a foretaste of the joys of heaven, which is the pledge of our full introduction to them. The possession and exercise of the graces of the Spirit are sure evidences of regeneration, and pledges of eternal life.
24I call God ; to witness the truth of what he said. To spare you ; to save them from that painful discipline which he might have found necessary, had he visited them in their disorderly state.