Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Corinthians 7
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Corinthians 7
"Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. I say it not to condemn [you]: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction." — 2 Corinthians 7:1-4 (ASV)
The promises of God are strong reasons for us to follow after holiness; we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. If we hope in God as our Father, we must seek to be holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven. His grace, by the influences of his Spirit, alone can purify, but holiness should be the object of our constant prayers.
If the ministers of the gospel are thought contemptible, there is a danger that the gospel itself may also be despised; and though ministers must not flatter anyone, yet they must be gentle towards all. Ministers may look for esteem and favour when they can safely appeal to the people that they have corrupted no one by false doctrines or flattering speeches; that they have defrauded no one; nor sought to promote their own interests so as to harm anyone.
It was affection for them that made the apostle speak so freely to them, and caused him to speak proudly of them, in all places and on all occasions.
"For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but [we were] afflicted on every side; without [were] fightings, within [were] fears. Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, [even] God, comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort wherewith he was comforted in you, while he told us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more. For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret [it] (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season), I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, [a repentance] which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter." — 2 Corinthians 7:5-11 (ASV)
There were fightings outside, or continual contentions with, and opposition from Jews and Gentiles; and there were fears within, and great concern for those who had embraced the Christian faith. But God comforts those who are cast down. We should look above and beyond all means and instruments, to God, as the author of all the consolation and good we enjoy.
Sorrow according to the will of God, tending to the glory of God, and worked by the Spirit of God, renders the heart humble, contrite, submissive, disposed to mortify every sin, and to walk in newness of life. And this repentance is connected with saving faith in Christ, and a share in His atonement. There is a great difference between this godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world.
The happy fruits of true repentance are mentioned. When the heart is changed, the life and actions will be changed. It worked indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter and his instruments. It worked a watchful fear, and a cautious fear of sin. It worked a desire to be reconciled with God.
It worked zeal for duty and against sin. It worked revenge against sin and their own folly, by efforts to make satisfaction for injuries done by them. Deep humility before God, hatred of all sin, with faith in Christ, a new heart, and a new life, make repentance unto salvation. May the Lord bestow it on every one of us.
"So although I wrote unto you, I [wrote] not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God. Therefore we have been comforted: And in our comfort we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all. For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spake all things to you in truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth. And his affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you." — 2 Corinthians 7:12-16 (ASV)
The apostle was not disappointed regarding them, as he indicated to Titus; and he could with joy declare the confidence he had in them for the future. Here we see the duties of a pastor and of his flock: the latter must lighten the troubles of the pastoral office by respect and obedience, while the former must make a due return by his care for them and cherish the flock with testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness.
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