Julian Pe and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which Philippi. · riod, 4771. is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Vulgar Æra,

58.

niated him, (chap. vii. 7-11.) The faction, however, headed
by their false teacher, still continued their corrupt practices,
and endeavoured as much as possible to undermine the apostle's
authority and influence. To understand the force of this Epis-
tle, it will be necessary to bear in mind the opposite characters
to whom it was written. To those Christian converts who had
shewn a ready obedience to his former letter, and who remained
stedfast in his doctrine, St. Paul addresses himself in this his
second Epistle, in terms of commendation and encouragement,
while on the other hand he attacks, in order to weaken, the fac-
tion which the false teacher still continues to form against him.
He confutes the objections and revilings of his opponents with
the most masterly reasonings, exposing them to contempt, and
threatening them with punishment. This distinction between
the two prevailing parties at Corinth is evidently referred to in
2 Cor. i. 14. and chap. ii. 5. and reconciles the otherwise apparent
inconsistencies of this Epistle, in which he vindicates himself
with more boldness, and reproves his adversaries with more
severity than in the first which he addressed to them.

The second Epistle to the Corinthians is generally supposed
to have been written about a year after the former, and this
seems to be supported by the words (chap. ix. 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 forward-
ness there mentioned, till a year had elapsed, as the apostle had
purposed to stay at Ephesus till Pentecost (1 Cor. xvi. S.); and
he staid some time in Asia, after his purpose to leave Ephesus,
and go to Macedonia (Acts xix. 21, 22.) and yet making here his
apology for not wintering in Corinth, as he thought to do (1
Cor. xvi. 6.) this Epistle must have been written after the win-
ter; and consequently, when a new year was begun. It there-
fore, says Dr. Whitby, seems to have been composed after his
second coming to Macedonia, mentioned Acts xx. 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 thi-
ther; see chap. ii. 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 (Acts xix. 22.); but
at his second going through Macedonia, Timothy was with him,
(Acts xx. 4.)-3. He speaks of some Macedonians, who were
likely to accompany him (chap. ix. 4.). Now, at his second
going from Macedonia, there accompanied him Aristarchus, Se-
cundus, and Gaius of Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedo-
nia, Acts xx. 4.-4. The postscript says that this Epistle was
written from Philippi, where St. Paul was, till the days of unlea-
vened bread (Acts xx. 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 in-
stant (2 Cor. xiii. 1.) and that which he was now ready to do,
(2 Cor. xii. 14.) According to Dr. Lightfoot he did so, 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 (Acts xx. 4.) went directly to Troas, and there waited
for him.

The opening of this Epistle (Dr. Paley remarks) exhibits a connection with the history of the Acts, which aloue may satisfy us that the Epistle was written by St. Paul, and by St. Paul in

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2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, Philippi. riod, 4771. and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Vulgar Æra,

58.

§ 2. 2 COR. i. 3-7.

St. Paul blesses God for his Support and Deliverance from
all his Afflictions and Dangers, because by his Example
others may be comforted under similar Sufferings with the
same Consolation.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus

the situation in which the history places him. Let it be remem-
bered, that in the nineteenth chapter of the Acts, St. Paul
is represented as driven away from Ephesus, or as leaving
Ephesus, in consequence of an uproar in that city, excited by
some interested adversaries of the new religion. "Great is
Diana of the Ephesians." And after the uproar was ceased, Paul
called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed,
for to go into Macedonia. When he was arrived in Macedonia,
he wrote the second Epistle to the Corinthians, which is now
before us, and he begins his Epistle in this wise-" Blessed be
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all
our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are
in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are com-
forted of God, &c. For we would not, brethren, have you igno-
rant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were press-
ed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired
even of life; but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that
we should not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raiseth the
dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver:
in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us." Nothing could
be more expressive of the circumstances in which the history
describes St. Paul to have been, at the time when the Epistle
purports to be written; or rather, nothing could be more ex-
pressive of the sensations arising from these circumstances, than
this passage. It is the calm recollection of a mind emerged from
the confusion of instant danger. It is that devotion and so-
lemnity of thought which follows a recent deliverance. There
is just enough of particularity in the passage to shew that it is
to be referred to the tumult at Ephesus. We would not, bre-
thren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in
Asia. And there is nothing more; no mention of Demetrius, of
the seizure of St. Paul's friends, of the interference of the town
clerk, of the occasion or nature of the danger which St. Paul
had escaped, or even of the city where it happened; in a word,
no recital from which a suspicion could be conceived, either
that the author of the Epistle had made use of the narrative in
the Acts, or on the other hand, that he had sketched the outline,
which the narrative in the Acts only filled up. That the forger
of an epistle, under the name of St. Paul, should borrow cir-
cumstances from a history of St. Paul then extant, or that the
author of a history of St. Paul should gather materials from let-
ters bearing St. Paul's name, may be credited: but I cannot
believe that any forger whatever should fall upon an expedient
so refined, as to exhibit sentiments adapted to a situation, and
to leave his readers to seek out that situation from the history
-still less that the author of a history should go about to frame
facts and circumstances fitted to supply the sentiments which he
found in the letter.-See Paley, Horne, Macknight, Dr. A.
Clarke, Whitby, and Bishop Tomline.

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58.

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we

may
be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by
the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of
God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our
consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

$ 3. 2 COR. i. 8-11.

St. Paul relates his Deliverance by the Power of God, from
the imminent Danger to which he was exposed at Ephe-
He acknowledges their Prayers on his account.

sus

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

4. 2 COR. i. 12—14.

In allusion to the Calumnies of the false Teacher, St. Paul
rejoices in his sincerity and purity of Conduct towards
the Corinthians, which he declares to have been free from
all selfish or interested Motives-He trusts that all will
acknowledge and glory in him, as some have already
done, as they shall be his rejoicing in the Day of the
Lord.

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our con-
science, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our
conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you
ward.

13 For we write none other things unto you than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end:

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we

Julian Pe- are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of Philippi. riod, 4771. the Lord Jesus. Vulgar Era,

58.

§ 5. 2 COR. i. 15, to the end. ii. 1-4.
The false Teacher having accused St. Paul of Irresolution
and carnal Mindedness, because he failed in his promised
Visit to the Corinthians, he shews his Consistency in the
uniformity of the Doctrine which he taught, and appeals
to the Unction of the Holy Spirit, by which God had fully
established his Authority among them-He solemnly de-
clares, his true Reason for delaying his Visit proceeded
from his wish to spare them-He assures them that he
wrote in the deepest Affliction, instead of coming to punish
them, that he might have Joy in their Repentance, and con-
vince them of the greatness of his Love.

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto
you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea.

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay?

18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that, to spare you, I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.

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.

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58.

$ 6. 2 COR. ii. 5—11.

The Apostle here commands them to receive again the ex-
communicated Person, for whom they have grieved, on
his sincere Repentance, and to shew their Love to him by a
kind and friendly Conduct, lest Satan should drive him
to despair-St. Paul expects they will obey him in re-
moving the Sentence, as they had obeyed him in inflicting
it-He declares, that in both instances he acted in the
Name and Authority of Christ.

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 over much 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;

Il Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

§ 7. 2 COR. ii. 12, to the end.

St. Paul gives, as another Reason for not having come to
Corinth at the time appointed, his Anxiety on account of
Titus-He relates his Success at Macedonia, and declares
the great Consequences of his preaching, both to those
who receive and reject the Gospel-He ends with a severe
Reflection on the false Teacher, and a Profession of his
own Sincerity and Disinterestedness.

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

Philippi..