{"commentary":{"id":"adam-clarke","name":"Adam Clarke Bible Commentary","website":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Clarke","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/","licenseNotes":null,"licenseNotice":null,"englishName":"Adam Clarke Bible Commentary","language":"eng","textDirection":"rtl","sha256":"92e28c9363c876d215e296f2fe04abb3ab7e34a2aacebdf06bd62ae79c6e3dba","availableFormats":["json"],"listOfBooksApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/books.json","listOfProfilesApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/profiles.json","numberOfBooks":57,"totalNumberOfChapters":854,"totalNumberOfVerses":13318,"totalNumberOfProfiles":0,"languageName":"English","languageEnglishName":"English"},"book":{"id":"2CO","commentaryId":"adam-clarke","name":"2 Corinthians","commonName":"2 Corinthians","introduction":"Preface to the Second Epistle to the Corinthians It is a general opinion among learned men that this epistle was written about a year after the former: and this seems to be supported by the words, Co2 9:2 : Achaia was ready a year ago; for the apostle having given instructions for that collection, to which he refers in these words at the close of the preceding epistle, they would not have had the forwardness there mentioned till a year had elapsed. As the apostle had purposed to stay at Ephesus till pentecost, Co1 16:8; and he stayed some time in Asia after his purpose to leave Ephesus and go to Macedonia, Act 9:21, Act 9:22; and yet making here his apology for not wintering in Corinth, as he thought to do, Co1 16:6; this epistle must have been written after the winter, and consequently when a new year was begun. It therefore, says Dr. Whitby, seems to have been written after his second coming to Macedonia, mentioned Act 20:3. For, (1.) It was written after he had been at Troas, and had left that place to return to Macedonia: now that was at his second going thither; see Co2 2:12. (2.) It was written when Timothy was with him: now, when he left Ephesus to go into Macedonia, Timothy went not with him, but was sent before him, Act 19:22; but at his second going through Macedonia, Timothy was with him, Act 20:4. (3.) He speaks of some Macedonians who were likely to accompany him, Co2 9:4. Now, at his second going from Macedonia, there accompanied him Aristarchus, Secundus, and Gaius of Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedonia, Act 20:4. (4.) The postscript says that this epistle was written from Philippi, where Paul was till the days of unleavened bread, Act 20:6; it therefore seems to have been sent from thence to them by Titus, and some other person, not long before St. Paul's coming to them; which he speaks of as instant, Co2 13:1; and that which he was now ready to do, Co2 12:14; and did, according to Dr. Lightfoot, in his journey from Philippi to Troas; he sailing about from Philippi to Corinth, to make good his promise; whilst the rest that were with him, Act 20:4, went directly the next cut to Troas, and there waited for him. See Whitby. That the first epistle had produced powerful effects among the Corinthians is evident from what the apostle mentions in this. Titus had met him in Macedonia, and told him of the reformation produced by this epistle, see Co2 7:5, Co2 7:6; that the Church had excommunicated the incestuous man; that the epistle had overwhelmed them with great distress; had led them to a close examination of their conduct and state; and had filled them with respect and affection for their apostle, etc. Hearing this, St. Paul wrote this second epistle, to comfort, to commend them, and to complete the work which he had begun, by causing them to finish the contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem; and also to vindicate his own apostolic character, and to unmask the pretended apostle, who had led them so long astray. See the preceding Introduction. Its principal divisions are: - I. The preface, Co2 1:1-7. II. The Narration, comprehending an account of what had happened to himself; his answer to their questions concerning the incestuous person, with different other matters; among which, the following are the chief: - (1.) The persecution which he had suffered in Asia, and from which he had been miraculously rescued, Co2 1:8-14. (2.) His purpose to pay them a visit, Co2 1:15-24. (3.) Concerning the sorrow which they had suffered on account of the excommunication of the incestuous person, 2 Corinthians 2, 7. (4.) His own vindication against the false apostle; in which he gives an account of his doctrine, Co2 3:6-18. His conduct, Co2 4:1-6. His bodily infirmities, Co2 4:7; and 2 Corinthians 5. (5.) Strongly exhorts them to a holy life, 2 Corinthians 6, 7. III. Of the Alms that had been collected, and were yet to be collected, 2 Corinthians 8, Co2 9:1-15. IV. His Defence against the false apostle and his calumniators in general, 2 Corinthians 10-12. V. Miscellaneous matters, Co2 13:1-14. It may be remarked, once for all, that none of these or such artificial divisions are made by the apostle himself, no more than the divisions into chapters and verses. All these are the work of man, and certainly contribute nothing to a proper understanding of the epistle itself. The apostle appears to have sat down, and, under the influence of the Divine Spirit, he wrote on the different subjects treated of in the epistle just in the order that these things occurred to his mind, without intending particular heads, divisions or subdivisions. And, as he probably wrote the whole with very little intermission of time, his sense will be best apprehended by those who carefully read over the whole at one sitting.","order":47,"numberOfChapters":13,"sha256":"d7afa40d62b1ce24677c9f4cb50fd25b0c9174cc2531e1548f93d20a89136344","firstChapterNumber":1,"firstChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/2CO/1.json","firstChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"2CO","chapter":1},"lastChapterNumber":13,"lastChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/2CO/13.json","lastChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"2CO","chapter":13},"totalNumberOfVerses":253},"chapter":{"number":6,"content":[{"type":"verse","number":1,"content":["We then, as workers together with him - Συνεργουντες δε και παρακαλουμεν. The two last words, with him, are not in the text, and some supply the place thus: we then, as workers together With You, and the Armenian version seems to have read it so; but no MS. has this reading, and no other version. For my own part I see nothing wanting in the text if we only suppose the term apostles; we, (i.e. apostles), being fellow workers, also entreat you not to receive the grace of God in vain.\nBy the grace of God, την χαριν του Θεου, this grace or benefit of God, the apostle certainly means the grand sacrificial offering of Christ for the sin of the world, which he had just before mentioned in speaking of the ministry of reconciliation. We learn, therefore, that it was possible to receive the grace of God and not ultimately benefit by it; or, in other words, to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Should any one say that it is the ministry of reconciliation, that is, the benefit of apostolic preaching, that they might receive in vain; I answer, that the apostolic preaching, and the whole ministry of reconciliation, could be no benefit to any man farther than it might have been a means of conveying to him the salvation of God. And it is most evident that the apostle has in view that grace or benefit that reconciles us to God, and makes us Divinely righteous. And this, and all other benefits of the death of Christ, may be received in vain. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":2,"content":["For he saith - That is, God hath said it, by the prophet Isaiah, Isa 49:8; which place the apostle quotes verbatim et literatim from the Septuagint. And from this we may at once see what is the accepted time, and what the day of salvation. The advent of the Messiah was the עת רצון eth ratson, the time of God's pleasure or benevolence, of which all the faithful were in expectation; and the day of salvation, יום שועה yom yeshuah, was the time in which this salvation should be manifested and applied. The apostle therefore informs them that this is the time predicted by the prophet; and the ministry of reconciliation being exercised in full force is a proof that the prophecy is fulfilled; and therefore the apostle confidently asserts, Behold, Now is this accepted time, Now the Messiah reigns, Now is the Gospel dispensation, and therefore Now is the day of salvation; that is, the very time in which the power of God is present to heal, and in which every sinner believing on the Lord Jesus may be saved.\nI rather think that this second verse should be read immediately after the last verse of the preceding chapter; as where it now stands it greatly disturbs the connection between the first and the third verses. I will set down the whole in the order in which I think they should stand. Co2 5:20 : Now then we are ambassadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. For he hath made him a sin-offering for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him: for he saith, \"I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee.\" Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Immediately after this, the sixth chapter will very properly commence, and we shall see that the connection will be then undisturbed: - \nWe then, as fellow workers, beseech you also, that ye receive not this grace of God in vain, giving no offense in any thing, that this ministry be not blamed. This change of the place of the second verse, which every one allows must, if it stand here, be read in a parenthesis, preserves the whole connection of the apostle's discourse, and certainly sets his argument before us in a stronger light. Let us review the whole:\n1. God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, Co2 5:18.\n2. He appointed the apostles to proclaim to mankind the doctrine of reconciliation, Co2 5:19.\n3. The apostles, in consequence, proclaim this doctrine; and show that Christ was a sacrifice for sin, and that through him we may be perfectly saved, Co2 5:20, Co2 5:21.\n4. They show also that all this was agreeable to the declaration of God by the prophet Isaiah, Isa 49:8, where he predicts the days of the Messiah, and the grace then to be communicated, Co2 6:2.\n5. The apostle then, speaking in the person of all his fellow laborers, who had this ministry of reconciliation intrusted to them, exhorts them not to receive such a benefit of God in vain, Co2 6:1.\n6. He exhorts those who had embraced the Gospel not to put a stumbling block in the way of others, by acting irreligiously, lest this ministry of reconciliation should be reproached on their account, Co2 6:3.\n7. He shows what conscientious and scrupulous care he and his fellow apostles took to preach and walk so that this ministry might have its full effect, Co2 6:4, etc.\nThis view of the subject, if I mistake not, shows a beautiful consistency throughout the whole. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":3,"content":["Giving no offense - The word προσκοπη, read προσκομμα, Rom 14:13, signifies a stumbling block in general, or any thing over which a man stumbles or falls; and here means any transgression or scandal that might take place among the ministers, or the Christians themselves, whereby either Jews or Gentiles might take occasion of offense, and vilify the Gospel of Christ. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":4,"content":["But in all things approving ourselves - The apostle now proceeds to show how conscientiously himself and his fellow laborers acted, in order to render the ministry of reconciliation effectual to the salvation of men. They not only gave no offense in any thing, but they labored to manifest themselves to be the genuine ministers of God, in much patience - bearing calmly up under the most painful and oppressive afflictions.\nIn afflictions - Εν θλιψεσιν. This may signify the series of persecutions and distresses in general; the state of cruel suffering in which the Church of God and the apostles then existed.\nIn necessities - Εν αναγκαις· Straits and difficulties; including all that want and affliction which arose from the impoverished state of the Church.\nIn distresses - Εν στενοχωριαις. Such straits and difficulties as were absolutely unavoidable and insurmountable. The word implies, being reduced to a narrow place, driven to a corner, hemmed in on every side, as the Israelites were at the Red Sea; the sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and Egyptian fortresses on either hand. God alone could bring them out of such difficulties, when their enemies themselves saw that the wilderness had shut them in. So was it often with the apostles; all human help failed, and their deliverance came from God alone. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":5,"content":["In stripes, in imprisonments - Of these the history of the Acts of the Apostles gives ample testimony; and there were doubtless many instances of persecution in various forms which are not on record.\nIn tumults - Ακαταστασιαις· Insurrections raised against them because of the Gospel. It is more natural to understand the word thus, than of agitations, or tossings to and fro in consequence of their unsettled state of life; or because of persecution, which obliged them to flee from place to place.\nIn labors - Both with our own hands to provide for ourselves the necessaries of life, that we might not be chargeable to others; and in labors to spread the Gospel of God through all countries where his providence opened our way.\nIn watchings - Passing many nights without sleep or rest.\nIn fastings - Partly constrained through want of food; and partly voluntary, as a means of obtaining an increase of grace both for ourselves and for the Churches. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":6,"content":["By pureness - Εν ἁγνοτητι· In simplicity of intention, and purity of affection; together with that chastity and holiness of life which the Gospel enjoins.\nBy knowledge - Of the Divine mysteries.\nBy long-suffering - Under all provocations.\nBy kindness - To our most virulent persecutors, and to all men.\nBy the Holy Ghost - There are doubts among learned men whether the apostle here means that Spirit who is called the third person of the holy Trinity; or some grace, disposition, or quality of the soul, which was thus denominated, as implying a spirit wholly purified, and fitted to be a habitation of God.\nSchoettgen quotes a passage from Rabbi Bechai, in which it appears to him to have this latter meaning: \"Rabbi Pinchas, the son of Jair, said: Reflection leads to sedulity; sedulity to innocence; innocence to abstinence; abstinence to cleanness; cleanness to sanctity; sanctity to the fear of sin; fear of sin to humility; humility to piety; and piety to the Holy Spirit. Of these ten virtues five are external, or belong to the body; and five internal, or belonging to the soul; but all men prefer the tenth, which is רוח הקדש ruach hakkodesh, the Holy Spirit.\" Even allowing Rabbi Pinchas to be a person on whose judgment we could rely, and whose authority was decisive, there does not appear to me any reason why we should depart from the usual meaning of the term from any thing that is said here. It appears to me plain enough that the rabbi means the constant indwelling of the Holy Spirit; and St. Paul, in this place, may have the same thing in view, and with it the various gifts of the Holy Spirit by which he was enabled to work miracles.\nBy love unfeigned - Εν αγαπῃ ανυποκριτῳ· Love without hypocrisy; such as disposed us at all times to lay down our life for the brethren, and to spend and be spent for the glory of God and the good of mankind. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":7,"content":["By the word of truth - The doctrine of truth received immediately from God, and faithfully and affectionately preached to men.\nBy the power of God - Confirming this doctrine, not only by the miracles which we were enabled to work, but also by the application of that truth to the souls of the people by the energy of God.\nBy the armor of righteousness - Such as that described by the apostle, Eph 6:13-17, which he calls there the whole armor of God, consisting of the following pieces: the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.\nOn the right hand and on the left - Particularly, the shield and the sword; the former on the left arm, the latter in the right hand. We have the doctrine of truth, and the power of God, as an armor to protect us on all sides, every where, and on all occasions.\nIt seems far-fetched to understand the right hand as signifying prosperity, and the left as signifying adversity; as if the apostle had said: We have this armor to defend us both in prosperity and adversity. By the doctrine of the Gospel, and by the power of God, the apostles were furnished with offensive and defensive weapons; they could ever defend themselves, and discomfit their foes. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":8,"content":["By honor and dishonor - By going through both; sometimes respected, sometimes despised.\nBy evil report and good report - Sometimes praised, at other times calumniated.\nAs deceivers - Said to carry about a false doctrine for our secular emolument.\nAnd yet true - Demonstrated by the nature of the doctrine, as well as by our life and conversation, that we are true men; having nothing in view but God's glory and the salvation of the world. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":9,"content":["As unknown - Persons who are to be suspected as harbouring dark designs; persons of neither birth, parentage, nor respectable connections in life;\nAnd yet well known - Proved by our whole conduct to have no such designs, and demonstrated to be holy, upright, and useful, by the whole train of our peregrinations, through which we can be readily traced from place to place; having preached openly, and done nothing in a corner.\nAs dying - Through continual dangers, fatigues, and persecutions;\nAnd, behold, we live - We are preserved by the mighty power of God in the greatest dangers and deaths.\nAs chastened - As though we were disobedient children;\nAnd not killed - Though we continue in the very same line of conduct that is supposed to bring on us those chastisements, and which, if it were criminal, would justly expose us to death for incorrigible obstinacy; but our preservation is a proof that we please God. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":10,"content":["As sorrowful - Considerate men supposing, from our persecuted state and laborious occupation, (often destitute of the necessaries of life; seldom enjoying its conveniences; and scarcely ever, its comforts), that we must be the most miserable of all men.\nYet alway rejoicing - Having the consolation of God's Spirit at all times, and a glorious prospect of a blessed immortality.\nAs poor - Destitute of all worldly good and secular interest,\nYet making many rich - By dispensing to them the treasures of salvation; making them rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom.\nThe Gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition of the poor. It makes them sober; so they save what before they profusely and riotously spent. It makes them diligent; and thus they employ time to useful purposes which they before squandered away. They therefore both save and gain by religion; and these must lead to an increase of property. Therefore they are made rich; at least in comparison with that sinful, profligate state in which they were before they received the truth of the Gospel.\nAs having nothing - Being the most abject of the poor,\nAnd yet possessing all things - That are really necessary to the preservation of our lives. For the wants under which we labor for a time are supplied again by a bountiful Providence. The man who possesses a contented spirit possesses all things; for he is satisfied with every dispensation of the providence of God; and \"a contented mind is a continual feast.\" \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":11,"content":["O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you - I speak to you with the utmost freedom and fluency, because of my affection for you.\nOur heart is enlarged - It is expanded to take you and all your interests in; and to keep you in the most affectionate remembrance.\nThe preceding verses contain a very fine specimen of a very powerful and commanding eloquence. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":12,"content":["Ye are not straitened in us - That is, Ye have not a narrow place in our affections: the metaphor here is taken from the case of a person pent up in a small or narrow place, where there is scarcely room to breathe.\nYe are straitened in your own bowels - I have not the same place in your affections which you have in mine. The bowels are used in Scripture to denote the most tender affections. See the note on Mat 9:36. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":13,"content":["Now for a recompense in the same - That you may, in some sort, repay me for my affection towards you, I speak to you as unto my children, whom I have a right to command, be ye also enlarged - love me as I love you. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":14,"content":["Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers - This is a military term: keep in your own ranks; do not leave the Christian community to join in that of the heathens. The verb ἑτεροζυγειν signifies to leave one's own rank, place, or order, and go into another; and here it must signify not only that they should not associate with the Gentiles in their idolatrous feasts, but that they should not apostatize from Christianity; and the questions which follow show that there was a sort of fellowship that some of the Christians had formed with the heathens which was both wicked and absurd, and if not speedily checked would infallibly lead to final apostasy.\nSome apply this exhortation to pious persons marrying with those who are not decidedly religious, and converted to God. That the exhortation may be thus applied I grant; but it is certainly not the meaning of the apostle in this place. Nevertheless, common sense and true piety show the absurdity of two such persons pretending to walk together in a way in which they are not agreed. A very wise and very holy man has given his judgment on this point: \"A man who is truly pious, marrying with an unconverted woman, will either draw back to perdition, or have a cross during life.\" The same may be said of a pious woman marrying an unconverted man. Such persons cannot say this petition of the Lord's prayer, Lead us not into temptation. They plunge into it of their own accord.\nFor what fellowship, etc. - As righteousness cannot have communion with unrighteousness, and light cannot dwell with darkness; so Christ can have no concord with Belial, nor can he that believeth have any with an infidel. All these points were self-evident; how then could they keep up the profession of Christianity, or pretend to be under its influence, while they associated with the unrighteous, had communion with darkness, concord with Belial, and partook with infidels? \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":16,"content":["What agreement hath the temple of God with idols - Nothing could appear more abominable to a Jew than an idol in the temple of God: here, then, could be no agreement; the worship of the two is wholly incompatible. An idolater never worships the true God; a Christian never worships an idol. If ye join in idolatrous rites, it is impossible that ye should be Christians.\nYe are the temple of the living God - God intends to make the heart of every believer his own house.\nI will dwell in them, and walk in them - The words are very emphatic: ενοικησω εν αυτοις· I will inhabit in them. I will not be as a wayfaring man, who turns aside to tarry as for a night, but I will take up my constant residence with them; I will dwell in and among them.\nI will be their God - They shall have no other God, they shall have none besides me; and if they take me for their God, I will be to them all that an infinite, eternal, and self-sufficient Being can be to his intelligent offspring.\nThey shall be my people - If they take me for their God, their supreme and eternal Good, I will take them for my people; and instruct, enlighten, defend, provide for, support, and bless them, as if I had none else to care for in the creation. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":17,"content":["Wherefore come out from among them - Is it not plain from this and the following verse that God would be their God only on the ground of their taking him for such, and that this depended on their being separated from the works and workers of iniquity? for God could not inhabit in them if they had concord with Belial, a portion with infidels; etc. Those who will have the promises of God fulfilled to them must come under the conditions of these promises: if they are not separate - if they touch the unclean thing, God will not receive them; and therefore will not be their God, nor shall they be his people. \n"]},{"type":"verse","number":18,"content":["Will be a Father unto you - I will act towards you as the most affectionate father can act towards his most tender and best beloved child.\nAnd ye shall be my sons and daughters - Ye shall all be of the household of God, the family of heaven; ye shall be holy, happy, and continually safe.\nSaith the Lord Almighty - Κυριος παντοκρατωρ· The Lord, the Governor of all things.\nEarthly fathers, however loving and affectionate, may fail to provide for their children, because every thing is not at their disposal; they may frequently lack both the power and the means, though to will may be present with them; but the Lord who made and who governs all things can never lack will, power, nor means. The promise is sure to the children; and the children are those who take the Almighty for their God. For the promise belongs to no soul that is not separate from sinful ways, works, and men; those who touch the unclean thing, i.e. who do what God forbids, and hold communion with unrighteousness, can never stand in the endearing relation of children to God Almighty: and this is most forcibly stated by God himself, in these verses, and in the beginning of the following chapter, the first verse of which should conclude this.\nTo the Jews the promises were originally made; they would not have God for their God, but would work iniquity. What was the consequence? God cast them off; and those who were joined to iniquity were separated from him. \"Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi; for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.\" Hos 1:9. The Jews were therefore cast off, and the Gentiles taken in their place; but even these, under the new covenant, are taken in expressly under the same conditions as the apostle here most fully states. Those who apply these words in any other way pervert their meaning, and sin against their souls.\n\n"]}],"introduction":"We should not receive the grace of God in vain, having such promises of support from him, Co2 6:1, Co2 6:2. We should act so as to bring no disgrace on the Gospel, Co2 6:3. How the apostles behaved themselves, preached, suffered, and rejoiced, Co2 6:4-10. St. Paul's affectionate concern for the Corinthians, Co2 6:11-13. He counsels them not to be yoked with unbelievers, and advances several arguments why they should avoid them, Co2 6:14-16. Exhorts them to avoid evil companions and evil practices, on the promise that God will be their Father and that they shall be his sons and his daughters, Co2 6:17, Co2 6:18, \n"},"thisChapterLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/2CO/6.json","thisChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"2CO","chapter":6},"nextChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/2CO/7.json","nextChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"2CO","chapter":7},"previousChapterApiLink":"/api/c/adam-clarke/2CO/5.json","previousChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"adam-clarke","book":"2CO","chapter":5},"numberOfVerses":17}