Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary

on the Whole Bible

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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (1721)

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S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N S.

CHAP. II.

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In this chapter the apostle proceeds in the account of the reasons why

he did not come to Corinth,

ver. 1-4.

Then he writes concerning the incestuous person who lay under censure;

and gives direction for restoring him, together with the reasons for

their so doing

(ver. 5-11),

and afterwards informs them of his labours and success in preaching the

gospel in several places,

ver. 12-17.

Paul Expresses His Affection.	A. D. 57.

     

1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come

again to you in heaviness.

  2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad,

but the same which is made sorry by me?

  3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should

have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having

confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

  4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto

you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye

might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

     

In these verses,

1. The apostle proceeds in giving an account of the reason why he did

not come to Corinth, as was expected; namely, because he was unwilling

to grieve them, or be grieved by them,

v. 1, 2.

He had determined not to come to them in heaviness, which yet he

would have done had he come and found scandal among them not duly

animadverted upon: this would have been cause of grief both to him and

them, for their sorrow or joy at meeting would have been mutual. If he

had made them sorry, that would have been a sorrow to himself, for

there would have been none to have made him glad. But his desire was to

have a cheerful meeting with them, and not to have it embittered by any

unhappy occasion of disagreeing.

2. He tells them it was to the same intent that he wrote his former

epistle,

v. 3, 4.

(1.) That he might not have sorrow from those of whom he ought to

rejoice; and that he had written to them in confidence of their

doing what was requisite, in order to their benefit and his comfort.

The particular thing referred to, as appears by the

following verses,

was the case of the incestuous person about whom he had written in the

first epistle,

ch. v.

Nor was the apostle disappointed in his expectation.

(2.) He assures them that he did not design to grieve them, but to

testify his love to them, and that he wrote to them with much

anguish and affliction in his own heart, and with great

affection to them. He had written with tears, that they might know

his abundant love to them. Note,

[1.] Even in reproofs, admonitions, and acts of discipline, faithful

ministers show their love.

[2.] Needful censures, and the exercise of church-discipline towards

offenders, are a grief to tender-spirited ministers, and are

administered with regret.

Case of the Incestuous Person.	A. D. 57.

     

5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in

part: that I may not overcharge you all.

  6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was

inflicted of many.

  7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and

comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up

with overmuch sorrow.

  8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love

toward him.

  9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof

of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

  10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I

forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes

forgave I it in the person of Christ;

  11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not

ignorant of his devices.

     

In these verses the apostle treats concerning the incestuous person who

had been excommunicated, which seems to be one principal cause of his

writing this epistle. Here observe,

1. He tells them that the crime of that person had grieved him in

part; and that he was grieved also with a part of them, who,

notwithstanding this scandal had been found among them, were puffed

up and had not mourned,
1 Cor. v. 2.

However, he was unwilling to lay too heavy a charge upon the whole

church, especially seeing they had cleared themselves in that matter by

observing the directions he had formerly given them.

2. He tells them that the punishment which had been inflicted upon this

offender was sufficient,

v. 6.

The desired effect was obtained, for the man was humbled, and they had

shown the proof of their obedience to his directions.

3. He therefore directs them, with all speed, to restore the

excommunicated person, or to receive him again to their communion,

v. 7, 8.

This is expressed several ways. He beseeches them to forgive him, that

is, to release him from church-censures, for they could not remit the

guilt or offence against God; and also to comfort him, for in many

cases the comfort of penitents depends upon their reconciliation not

only with God, but with men also, whom they have scandalized or

injured. They must also confirm their love to him; that is, they should

show that their reproofs and censures proceeded from love to his

person, as well as hatred to his sin, and that their design was to

reform, not to ruin him. Or thus: If his fall had weakened their love

to him, that they could not take such satisfaction in him as formerly;

yet, now that he was recovered by repentance, they must renew and

confirm their love to him.

4. He uses several weighty arguments to persuade them to do thus, as,

(1.) The case of the penitent called for this; for he was in danger of

being swallowed up with over-much sorrow,
v. 7.

He was so sensible of this fault, and so much afflicted under his

punishment, that he was in danger of falling into despair. When sorrow

is excessive it does hurt; and even sorrow for sin is too great when it

unfits for other duties, and drives men to despair.

(2.) They had shown obedience to his directions in passing a censure

upon the offender and now he would have them comply with his desire to

restore him,

v. 9.

(3.) He mentions his readiness to forgive this penitent, and concur

with them in this matter. “To whom you forgive I forgive also,
v. 10.

I will readily concur with you in forgiving him.” And this he would do

for their sakes, for love to them and for their advantage; and for

Christ’s sake, or in his name, as his apostle, and in conformity to his

doctrine and example, which are so full of kindness and tender mercy

towards all those who truly repent.

(4.) He gives another weighty reason

(v. 11):

Lest Satan get an advantage against us. Not only was there

danger lest Satan should get an advantage against the penitent, by

driving him to despair; but against the churches also, and the apostles

or ministers of Christ, by representing them as too rigid and severe,

and so frightening people from coming among them. In this, as in other

things, wisdom is profitable to direct, so to manage according

as the case may be 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. Note, Satan is a subtle enemy, and uses

many stratagems to deceive us; and we should not be ignorant of his

devices: he is also a watchful adversary, ready to take all

advantages against us, and we should be very cautious lest we give him

any occasion so to do.

Effects of the Christian Ministry.	A. D. 57.

     

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s

gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

  13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my

brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into

Macedonia.

  14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph

in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us

in every place.

  15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that

are saved, and in them that perish:

  16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to

the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient

for these things?

  17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but

as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in

Christ.

     

After these directions concerning the excommunicated person the apostle

makes a long digression, to give the Corinthians an account of his

travels and labours for the furtherance of the gospel, and what success

he had therein, declaring at the same time how much he was concerned

for them in their affairs, how he had no rest in his spirit,

when he found not Titus at Troas

(v. 13),

as he expected, from whom he hoped to have understood more perfectly

how it fared with them. And we find afterwards

(ch. vii. 5-7)

that when the apostle had come into Macedonia he was comforted by the

coming of Titus, and the information he gave him concerning them. So

that we may look upon all that we read from this second chapter,

v. 12,

to ch. vii. 5,

as a kind of parenthesis. Observe here,

     

I. Paul’s unwearied labour and diligence in his work,

v. 12, 13.

He travelled from place to place, to preach the gospel. He went to

Troas from Philippi by sea

(Acts xx. 6),

and thence he went to Macedonia; so that he was prevented from passing

by Corinth, as he had designed,

ch. i. 16.

But, though he was prevented in his design as to the place of working,

yet he was unwearied in his work.

     

II. His success in his work: A great door was opened to him of the

Lord,
v. 12.

He had a great deal of work to do wherever he came, and had good

success in his work; for God made manifest the savour of his

knowledge by him in every place where he came. He had an

opportunity to open the door of his mouth freely, and God opened the

hearts of his hearers, as the heart of Lydia

(Acts xvi. 14),

and the apostle speaks of this as a matter of thankfulness to God and

of rejoicing to his soul: Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to

triumph in Christ. Note,

1. A believer’s triumphs are all in Christ. In ourselves we are weak,

and have neither joy nor victory; but in Christ we may rejoice and

triumph.

2. True believers have constant cause of triumph in Christ, for they

are more than conquerors through him who hath loved them,

Rom. viii. 37.

3. God causeth them to triumph in Christ. It is God who has given us

matter for triumph, and hearts to triumph. To him therefore be the

praise and glory of all.

4. The good success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian’s

joy and rejoicing.

     

III. The comfort that the apostle and his companions in labour found,

even when the gospel was not successful to the salvation of some who

heard it,

v. 15-17.

Here observe,

     

1. The different success of the gospel, and its different effects upon

several sorts of persons to whom it is preached. The success is

different; for some are saved by it, while others perish under it. Nor

is this to be wondered at, considering the different effects the gospel

has. For,

(1.) Unto some it is a savour of death unto death. Those who are

willingly ignorant, and wilfully obstinate, disrelish the gospel, as

men dislike an ill savour, and therefore they are blinded and hardened

by it: it stirs up their corruptions, and exasperates their spirits.

They reject the gospel, to their ruin, even to spiritual and eternal

death.

(2.) Unto others the gospel is a savour of life unto life. To

humble and gracious souls the preaching of the word is most delightful

and profitable. As it is sweeter than honey to the taste, so it is more

grateful than the most precious odours to the senses, and much more

profitable; for 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.

     

2. The awful impressions this matter made upon the mind of the apostle,

and should also make upon our spirits: Who is sufficient for these

things?
v. 16.

Tis hikanos–who is worthy to be employed in such

weighty work, a work of such vast importance, because of so great

consequence? Who is able to perform such a difficult work, that

requires so much skill and industry? The work is great and our strength

is small; yea, of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our

sufficiency is of God. Note, If men did seriously consider what

great things depend upon the preaching of the gospel, and how difficult

the work of the ministry is, they would be very cautious how they enter

upon it, and very careful to perform it well.

     

3. The comfort which the apostle had under this serious consideration,

(1.) Because faithful ministers shall be accepted of God, whatever

their success be: We are, if faithful, unto God a sweet

savour of Christ

(v. 15),

in those who are saved and in those also who perish. God will accept of

sincere intentions, and honest endeavours, though with many they are

not successful. Ministers shall be accepted, and recompensed, not

according to their success, but according to their fidelity. Though

Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the

Lord,
Isa. xlix. 5.

(2.) Because his conscience witnessed to his faithfulness,

v. 17.

Though many did corrupt the word of God, yet the apostle’s

conscience witnessed to his fidelity. He did not mix his own notions

with the doctrines and institutions of Christ; he durst not add to, nor

diminish from, the word of God; he was faithful in dispensing the

gospel, as he received it from the Lord, and had no secular turn to

serve; his aim was to approve himself to God, remembering that his eye

was always upon him; he therefore spoke and acted always as in the

sight of God, and therefore in sincerity. Note, What we do in religion

is not of God, does not come from God, will not reach to God, unless it

be done in sincerity, as in the sight of God.

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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (1721)

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