Bibelkommentare

2Co 7:1-16.

SELF-PURIFICATION THEIR DUTY RESULTING FROM THE FOREGOING. HIS LOVE TO THEM, AND JOY AT THE GOOD EFFECTS ON THEM OF HIS FORMER EPISTLE, AS REPORTED BY TITUS.

1. cleanse ourselves--This is the conclusion of the exhortation

(2Co 6:1, 14; 1Jo 3:3; Re 22:11).

filthiness--"the unclean thing"

(2Co 6:17).

of the flesh--for instance, fornication, prevalent at Corinth

(1Co 6:15-18).

and spirit--for instance, idolatry, direct or indirect

(1Co 6:9; 8:1, 7; 10:7, 21, 22).

The spirit

(Ps 32:2)

receives pollution through the flesh, the instrument of uncleanness.

perfecting holiness--The cleansing away impurity is a positive step towards holiness

(2Co 6:17).

It is not enough to begin; the end crowns the work

(Ga 3:3; 5:7; Php 1:6).

fear of God--often conjoined with the consideration of the most glorious promises

(2Co 5:11; Heb 4:1).

Privilege and promise go hand in hand.

2. Receive us--with enlarged hearts

(2Co 6:13).

we have wronged . . . corrupter . . . defrauded no man--(compare

2Co 7:9).

This is the ground on which he asks their reception of (making room for) him in their hearts. We wronged none by an undue exercise of apostolic authority;

2Co 7:13

gives an instance in point. We have corrupted none, namely, by beguilements and flatteries, while preaching "another Gospel," as the false teachers did

(2Co 11:3, 4).

We have defrauded none by "making a gain" of you

(2Co 12:17).

Modestly he leaves them to supply the positive good which he had done; suffering all things himself that they might be benefited

(2Co 7:9, 12; 2Co 12:13).

3. In excusing myself, I do not accuse you, as though you suspected me of such things [MENOCHIUS], or as though you were guilty of such things; for I speak only of the false apostles [ESTIUS and Greek commentators]. Rather, "as though you were ungrateful and treacherous" [BEZA].

I have said before--in

2Co 6:11, 12;

compare

Php 1:7.

die and live with you--the height of friendship. I am ready to die and live with you and for you

(Php 1:7, 20, 24; 2:17, 18).

Compare as to Christ,

Joh 10:11.

4. boldness of speech--(compare

2Co 6:11).

glorying of you--Not only do I speak with unreserved openness to you, but I glory (boast) greatly to others in your behalf, in speaking of you.

filled with comfort--at the report of Titus

(2Co 7:6, 7, 9, 13; 2Co 1:4).

exceeding joyful--Greek, I overabound with joy

(2Co 7:7, 9, 16).

our tribulation--described in

2Co 7:5;

also in

2Co 4:7, 8; 6:4, 5.

5. Greek, "For also" (for "even"). This verse is thus connected with

2Co 2:12, 13,

"When I came to Troas, I had no rest in my spirit"; so "also" now, when I came to Macedonia, my "flesh" had no rest (he, by the term "flesh," excepts his spiritual consolations) from "fightings" with adversaries "without"

(1Co 5:12),

and from fears for the Corinthian believers "within" the Church, owing to "false brethren"

(2Co 11:26).

Compare

2Co 4:8; De 32:25,

to which he seems to allude.

6. Translate in the order required by the Greek, "But he that comforteth those that are cast down, even God." Those that are of an high spirit are not susceptible of such comfort.

7. when he told us--Greek, "telling us." We shared in the comfort which Titus felt in recording your desire

(2Co 7:13).

He rejoiced in telling the news; we in hearing them [ALFORD].

earnest desire--Greek, "longing desire," namely, to see me [GROTIUS]; or, in general, towards me, to please me.

mourning--over your own remissness in not having immediately punished the sin

(1Co 5:1,

&c.) which called forth my rebuke.

fervent mind--Greek, "zeal" (compare

2Co 7:11; Joh 2:17).

toward me--Greek, "for me"; for my sake. They in Paul's behalf showed the zeal against the sin which Paul would have shown had he been present.

rejoiced the more--more than before, at the mere coming of Titus.

8. with a letter--Greek, "in the letter" namely, the first Epistle to the Corinthians.

I do not repent, though I did repent--Translate, "I do not regret it, though I did regret it." The Greek words for regret and repent are distinct. Paul was almost regretting, through parental tenderness, his having used rebukes calculated to grieve the Corinthians; but now that he has learned from Titus the salutary effect produced on them, he no longer regrets it.

for I perceive, &c.--This is explanatory of "I did repent" or "regret it," and is parenthetical ("for I perceive that that Epistle did make you sorry, though it was but for a season").