{"commentary":{"id":"jamieson-fausset-brown","name":"Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary","website":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamieson-Fausset-Brown_Bible_Commentary","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/","licenseNotes":null,"licenseNotice":null,"englishName":"Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary","language":"eng","textDirection":"rtl","sha256":"db3d4c8b3c1f32ef9d1430a57392e02bda3a17aac1f9bbe398461de021a3cb13","availableFormats":["json"],"listOfBooksApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/books.json","listOfProfilesApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/profiles.json","numberOfBooks":66,"totalNumberOfChapters":1187,"totalNumberOfVerses":17056,"totalNumberOfProfiles":0,"languageName":"English","languageEnglishName":"English"},"book":{"id":"2CO","commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","name":"2 Corinthians","commonName":"2 Corinthians","introduction":"THE following reasons seem to have induced Paul to write this Second Epistle to the Corinthians: (1) That he might explain the reasons for his having deferred to pay them his promised visit, by taking Corinth as his way to Macedonia (Co1 4:19; Co2 1:15-16; compare Co1 16:5); and so that he might set forth to them his apostolic walk in general (Co2 1:12, Co2 1:24; Co2 6:3-13; Co2 7:2). (2) That he might commend their obedience in reference to the directions in his First Epistle, and at the same time direct them now to forgive the offender, as having been punished sufficiently (Co2 2:1-11; Co2 7:6-16). (3) That he might urge them to collect for the poor saints at Jerusalem (Co2 8:1-9, Co2 8:15). (4) That he might maintain his apostolic authority and reprove gainsayers.\n\nThe external testimonies for its genuineness are IRENÆUS [Against Heresies, 3,7,1]; ATHENAGORAS [Of the Resurrection of the Dead]; CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [Miscellanies, 3, p. 94; 4, p. 101]; TERTULLIAN [On Modesty, 13].\n\nThe TIME OF WRITING was after Pentecost, A.D. 57, when Paul left Ephesus for Troas. Having stayed in the latter place for some time preaching the Gospel with effect (Co2 2:12), he went on to Macedonia, being eager to meet Titus there, having been disappointed in his not coming to Troas, as had been agreed on between them. Having heard from him the tidings he so much desired of the good effect produced on the Corinthians by his First Epistle, and after having tested the liberality of the Macedonian churches (Co2 8:1), he wrote this Second Epistle, and then went on to Greece, where he abode for three months; and then, after travelling by land, reached Philippi on his return at Passover or Easter, A.D. 58 (Act 20:1-6). So that this Epistle must have been written about autumn, A.D. 57.\n\nMacedonia was THE PLACE from which it was written (Co2 9:2, where the present tense, \"I boast,\" or \"am boasting,\" implies his presence then in Macedonia). In Asia (Lydian Asia) he had undergone some great peril of his life (Co2 1:8-9), whether the reference be [PALEY] to the tumult at Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41), or, as ALFORD thinks, to a dangerous illness in which he despaired of life. Thence he passed by Troas to Philippi, the first city which would meet him in entering Macedonia. The importance of the Philippian Church would induce him to stay there some time; as also his desire to collect contributions from the Macedonian churches for the poor saints at Jerusalem. His anxiety of mind is recorded (Co2 7:5) as occurring when he came into Macedonia, and therefore must have been at Philippi, which was the first city of Macedonia in coming from Troas; and here, too, from Co2 7:6, compared with Co2 7:5, must have been the scene of his receiving the comforting tidings from Titus. \"Macedonia\" is used for Philippi in Co2 11:9, as is proved by comparison with Phi 4:15-16. So it is probably used here (Co2 7:5). ALFORD argues from Co2 8:1, where he speaks of the \"grace bestowed on the churches (plural) of Macedonia,\" that Paul must have visited other churches in Macedonia, besides Philippi, when he wrote, for example, Thessalonica, Berea, &c., and that Philippi, the first on his route, is less likely to have been the scene of his writing than the last on his route, whichever it was, perhaps Thessalonica. But Philippi, as being the chief town of the province, was probably the place to which all the collections of the churches were sent. Ancient tradition, too (as appears from the subscription to this Epistle), favors the view that Philippi was the place from which this Epistle was sent by the hands of Titus who received, besides, a charge to prosecute at Corinth the collection which he had begun at his first visit (Co2 8:6).\n\nThe STYLE is most varied, and passes rapidly from one phase of feeling to another; now joyous and consolatory, again severe and full of reproof; at one time gentle and affectionate, at another, sternly rebuking opponents and upholding his dignity as an apostle. This variety of style accords with the warm and earnest character of the apostle, which nowhere is manifested more beautifully than in this Epistle. His bodily frailty, and the chronic malady under which he suffered, and which is often alluded to (Co2 4:7; Co2 5:1-4; Co2 12:7-9; compare Note, see on Co2 1:8), must have been especially trying to one of his ardent temperament. But besides this, was the more pressing anxiety of the \"care of all the churches.\" At Corinth, as elsewhere, Judaizing emissaries wished to bind legal fetters of letter and form (compare 2Co. 3:3-18) on the freedom and catholicity of the Church. On the other hand, there were free thinkers who defended their immorality of practice by infidel theories (Co1 15:12, Co1 15:32-36). These were the \"fightings without,\" and \"fears within\" (Co2 7:5-6) which agitated the apostle's mind until Titus brought him comforting tidings from Corinth. Even then, while the majority at Corinth had testified their repentance, and, as Paul had desired, excommunicated the incestuous person, and contributed for the poor Christians of Judea, there was still a minority who, more contemptuously than ever, resisted the apostle. These accused him of crafty and mercenary motives, as if he had personal gain in view in the collection being made; and this, notwithstanding his scrupulous care to be above the possibility of reasonable suspicion, by having others besides himself to take charge of the money. This insinuation was palpably inconsistent with their other charge, that he could be no true apostle, as he did not claim maintenance from the churches which he founded. Another accusation they brought of cowardly weakness; that he was always threatening severe measures without daring to execute them (Co2 10:8-16; Co2 13:2); and that he was vacillating in his teaching and practice, circumcising Timothy, and yet withholding circumcision from Titus; a Jew among the Jews, and a Greek among the Greeks. That most of these opponents were of the Judaizing party in the Church, appears from Co2 11:22. They seem to have been headed by an emissary from Judea (\"he that cometh,\" Co2 11:4), who had brought \"letters of commendation\" (Co2 3:1) from members of the Church at Jerusalem, and who boasted of his purity of Hebrew descent, and his close connection with Christ Himself (Co2 11:13, Co2 11:23). His partisans contrasted his high pretensions with the timid humility of Paul (Co1 2:3); and his rhetoric with the apostle's plain and unadorned style (Co2 11:6; Co2 10:10, Co2 10:13). It was this state of things at Corinth, reported by Titus, that caused Paul to send him back forthwith thither with this Second Epistle, which is addressed, not to Corinth only (Co1 1:2), but to all the churches also in Achaia (Co2 1:1), which had in some degree been affected by the same causes as affected the Corinthian Church. The widely different tone in different parts of the Epistle is due to the diversity which existed at Corinth between the penitent majority and the refractory minority. The former he addresses with the warmest affection; the latter with menace and warning. Two deputies, chosen by the churches to take charge of the contribution to be collected at Corinth, accompanied Titus (Co2 8:18-19, Co2 8:22). \n\n\n\nNext: 2 Corinthians Chapter 1\n\n","order":47,"numberOfChapters":13,"sha256":"90286450b61b72bcc6f42b0d0d5b45cafdeabce5f4f3d78e1fddf60a95cf8970","firstChapterNumber":1,"firstChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/2CO/1.json","firstChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"2CO","chapter":1},"lastChapterNumber":13,"lastChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/2CO/13.json","lastChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"2CO","chapter":13},"totalNumberOfVerses":240},"chapter":{"number":13,"content":[{"type":"verse","number":2,"content":["Rather, \"I have already said (at my second visit), and tell you (now) beforehand, AS (I did) WHEN I WAS PRESENT THE SECOND TIME, SO also NOW in my absence (the oldest manuscripts omit the 'I write,' which here wrongly follows in English Version Greek text) to them which heretofore have sinned (namely, before my second visit, Co2 12:21), and to all others (who have sinned since my second visit, or are in danger of sinning).\" The English Version, \"as if I were present the second time,\" namely, this next time, is quite inconsistent with Co2 13:1, \"this is the third time I am coming to you,\" as Paul could not have called the same journey at once \"the second\" and \"the third time\" of his coming. The antithesis between \"the second time\" and \"now\" is palpable. \n\nif I come again, &c.--that is, whensoever I come again (Act 20:2). These were probably the very words of his former threat which he now repeats again.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":3,"content":["Since--The reason why he will not spare: Since ye challenge me to give a \"proof\" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would \"prove your own selves\" (Co2 13:5). This disproves the assertion of some that Scripture nowhere asserts the infallibility of its writers when writing it. \n\nwhich--\"who\" (Christ). \n\nis not weak--in relation to you, by me and in this very Epistle, in exercising upon you strong discipline. \n\nmighty in you--has given many proofs of His power in miracles, and even in punishing offenders (Co2 5:11, Co2 5:20-21). Ye have no need to put me to the proof in this, as long ago Christ has exhibited great proofs of His power by me among you (Co2 12:12) [GROTIUS]. It is therefore not me, but Christ, whom ye wrong: it is His patience that ye try in despising my admonitions, and derogating from my authority [CALVIN].\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":4,"content":["though--omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; then translate, \"For He was even crucified,\" &c. \n\nthrough weakness--Greek, \"from weakness\"; that is, His assumption of our weakness was the source, or necessary condition, from which the possibility of His crucifixion flowed (Heb 2:14; Phi 2:7-8). \n\nby--Greek, \"from\"; \"owing to.\" \n\nthe power of God--the Father (Rom 1:4; Rom 6:4; Eph 1:20). \n\nweak in him--that is, in virtue of our union with Him, and after His pattern, weakness predominates in us for a time (exhibited in our \"infirmities\" and weak \"bodily presence,\" Co2 10:10; Co2 12:5, Co2 12:9-10; and also in our not putting into immediate exercise our power of punishing offenders, just as Christ for a time kept in abeyance His power). \n\nwe shall live with him--not only hereafter with Him, free from our present infirmities, in the resurrection life (Phi 3:21), but presently in the exercise of our apostolic authority against offenders, which flows to us in respect to you from the power of God, however \"weak\" we now seem to you. \"With Him,\" that is, even as He now exercises His power in His glorified resurrection life, after His weakness for a time.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":5,"content":["Examine--Greek, \"Try (make trial of) yourselves.\" \n\nprove your own selves--This should be your first aim, rather than \"seeking a proof of Christ speaking in me\" (Co2 13:3). \n\nyour own selves--I need not speak much in proof of Christ being in me, your minister (Co2 13:3), for if ye try your own selves ye will see that Christ is also in you [CHRYSOSTOM], (Rom 8:10). Finding Christ dwelling in yourselves by faith, ye may well believe that He speaks in me, by whose ministry ye have received this faith [ESTIUS]. To doubt it would be the sin of Israel, who, after so many miracles and experimental proofs of God's presence, still cried (Exo 17:7), \"Is the Lord among us or not?\" (Compare Mar 8:11). \n\nexcept ye be reprobates--The Greek softens the expression, \"somewhat reprobates,\" that is, not abiding the \"proof\" (alluding to the same word in the context); failing when tested. Image from metals (Jer 6:30; Dan 5:27; Rom 1:28).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":6,"content":["we . . . not reprobates--not unable to abide the proof to which ye put us (Co2 13:6). \"I trust that\" your own Christianity will be recognized by you (observe, \"ye shall know,\" answers to \"know your own selves,\" Co2 13:5) as sufficient \"proof\" that ye are not reprobates, but that \"Christ speaks in me,\" without needing a proof from me more trying to yourselves. If ye doubt my apostleship, ye must doubt your own Christianity, for ye are the fruits of my apostleship.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":7,"content":["I pray--The oldest manuscripts read, \"we pray.\" \n\nnot that we should appear approved--not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [ALFORD]. The antithesis to \"reprobates\" leads me to prefer explaining with BENGEL, \"We do not pray that we may appear approved,\" by restraining you when ye do evil; \"but that ye should do what is right\" (English Version, \"honest\"). \n\nthough we be as reprobates--though we be thereby deprived of the occasion for exercising our apostolic power (namely, in punishing), and so may appear \"as reprobates\" (incapable of affording proof of Christ speaking in us).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":8,"content":["Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire. Far be it from me to use it against the innocent, merely in order to increase my own power (Co2 13:10).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":9,"content":["are glad--Greek, \"rejoice.\" \n\nwhen we are weak--having no occasion for displaying our power; and so seeming \"weak,\" as being compassed with \"infirmities\" (Co2 10:10; Co2 11:29-30). \n\nye . . . strong--\"mighty\" in faith and the fruits of the Spirit. \n\nand--not in the oldest manuscripts. \n\nwe wish--Greek, \"pray for.\" \n\nyour perfection--literally, \"perfect restoration\"; literally, that of a dislocated limb. Compare Co2 13:11, \"Be perfect,\" the same Greek word; also in Co1 1:10, \"perfectly joined together\"; Eph 4:12, \"the perfecting of the saints.\"\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":10,"content":["Therefore--because I wish the \"sharpness\" to be in my letters rather than in deeds [CHRYSOSTOM]. \n\nedification . . . not to destruction--for building up . . . not for casting down. To \"use sharpness\" would seem to be casting down, rather than building up; therefore he prefers not to have to use it.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":11,"content":["farewell--meaning in Greek also \"rejoice\"; thus in bidding farewell he returns to the point with which he set out, \"we are helpers of your joy\" (Co2 1:24; Phi 4:4). \n\nBe perfect--Become perfect by filling up what is lacking in your Christian character (Eph 4:13). \n\nbe of good comfort-- (Co2 1:6; Co2 7:8-13; Th1 4:18).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":14,"content":["The benediction which proves the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in unity. \"The grace of Christ\" comes first, for it is only by it we come to \"the love of God\" the Father (Joh 14:6). The variety in the order of Persons proves that \"in this Trinity none is afore or after other\" [Athanasian Creed]. \n\ncommunion--joint fellowship, or participation, in the same Holy Ghost, which joins in one catholic Church, His temple, both Jews and Gentiles. Whoever has \"the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,\" has also \"the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,\" and \"the love of God\"; and vice versa. For the three are inseparable, as the three Persons of the Trinity itself [CHRYSOSTOM]. The doctrine of the Trinity was not revealed clearly and fully till Christ came, and the whole scheme of our redemption was manifested in Him, and we know the Holy Three in One more in their relations to us (as set forth summarily in this benediction), than in their mutual relations to one another (Deu 29:29). \n\nAmen--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Probably added subsequently for the exigencies of public joint worship.\n\n\n\n\n\nNext: Galatians Introduction\n\n"]}],"introduction":"HE THREATENS A SEVERE PROOF OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, BUT PREFERS THEY WOULD SPARE HIM THE NECESSITY FOR IT. (Co2 13:1-14)\n\nThis is the third time I am coming to you--not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Act 18:1; Act 20:2. \n\nIn the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established--Quoted from Deu 19:15, Septuagint. \"I will judge not without examination, nor will I abstain from punishing upon due evidence\" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. I will no longer be among you \"in all patience\" towards offenders (Co2 12:12). The apostle in this case, where ordinary testimony was to be had, does not look for an immediate revelation, nor does he order the culprits to be cast out of the church before his arrival. Others understand the \"two or three witnesses\" to mean his two or three visits as establishing either (1) the truth of the facts alleged against the offenders, or (2) the reality of his threats. I prefer the first explanation to either of the two latter.\n\n"},"thisChapterLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/2CO/13.json","thisChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"2CO","chapter":13},"nextChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/GAL/1.json","nextChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"GAL","chapter":1},"previousChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/2CO/12.json","previousChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"2CO","chapter":12},"numberOfVerses":11}