Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 1

Matthew Henry Commentary

2 Corinthians 1

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

2 Corinthians 1

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Verses 1-11

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ. But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort. For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell [us] in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life: yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead: who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us; ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf." — 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (ASV)

We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Savior who says, Let not your heart be troubled.

All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favors God bestows on us are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others.

He sends comforts enough to support those who simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any be ashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trust in God for the future.

And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will result in good for ourselves and others.

Verses 12-14

"For our glorifying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. For we write no other things unto you, than what ye read or even acknowledge, and I hope ye will acknowledge unto the end: as also ye did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as ye also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus." — 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (ASV)

Though, as a sinner, the apostle could only rejoice and glory in Christ Jesus, yet, as a believer, he might rejoice and glory in truly being what he professed. Conscience testifies to the steady course and general pattern of one's life. By this, we may judge ourselves, and not by any single act.

Our conduct will be rightly ordered when we live and act under such a gracious principle in the heart. Having this, we may entrust our reputations to the Lord's hands, while still using appropriate means to defend them when the credibility of the gospel or our usefulness requires it.

Verses 15-24

"And in this confidence I was minded to come first unto you, that ye might have a second benefit; and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come unto you, and of you to be set forward on my journey unto Judaea. When I therefore was thus minded, did I show fickleness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea and the nay nay? But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, [even] by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea. For how many soever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us. Now he that establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave [us] the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth. Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast." — 2 Corinthians 1:15-24 (ASV)

The apostle clears himself from the charge of frivolity and inconsistency in not coming to Corinth. Good men should be careful to maintain a reputation for sincerity and constancy; they should not make resolutions without careful thought, and they will not change them unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can make God's promises more certain: his giving them through Christ assures us that they are his promises, just as the wonders God performed in the life, resurrection, and ascension of his Son confirm faith.

The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life, and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare them the reproof he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone to Corinth before he learned what effect his former letter had produced.

Our strength and ability are due to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy dispositions and gracious fruits that accompany faith secure from delusion in so important a matter.

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