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436 Which had refreshed the spirit of Titus as well as his own.

SECT. but for the sake of manifesting our diligence and that our care for you xii. care for you, which through the Divine good- in the sight of God ness hath now been made apparent, though by might appear unto vii. 12 so severe and painful a trial, before God, [and]

2 Cor.

13 unto you.

you.

your comfort: yea,

cause his spirit was

him of you, I am not

made before Titus, is

Therefore we were greatly comforted 13 Therefore we in your consolation, and we rejoiced more exceed were comforted in ingly in the joy of good Titus, which gave me and exceedingly the a pleasure yet greater than he himself could more joyed we for derive from it; because we find your temper the joy of Titus, beand state so good, that his spirit was refreshed refreshed by you all. 14 by you all. So that on the whole, if I had 14 For if I have boasted any thing of you to him, that I was con- boasted any thing to fident my Corinthian friends would approve ashamed; but as we themselves worthy of the figure they had form- spake all things to erly made in religion, I was not ashamed of that you in truth, even so boasting; but as we have always spoken in the our boasting which I exactest regard to truth, when addressing our found a truth. selves to you, so also our boasting [concerning you] to Titus, that all would be well again at Corinth, has been verified, greatly to our satis15 faction: So that his tenderest affections are now engaged towards you exceedingly, which he expresses in the most genuine manner, whenever he mentions, or recollects the obedience of you all eth the obedience of in general to those apostolical injunctions which you all, how with I sent you by him : [and] how you received him fear and trembling as my messenger, and the minister of Christ, with fear and trembling, expressing always the most solicitous concern, that he might see nothing which it might grieve him to observe, 16 or me to hear reported by him. I rejoice 16 I rejoice there. therefore, that in every respect I have confidence fore that I have conin you,f and am encouraged to renew that hon- fidence in you in all ourable testimony which it has always been my things. pleasure to bear to your character, and which, I assure myself, you will continue more and more to deserve.

15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remember

you received him.

verse

IMPROVEMENT.

How great is the boldness of a good conscience! and how 3 much does it promote that freedom, that authority, with which the ministers of Christ address themselves to their hearers,

f Confidence in you.] The address of all what he had to say in the following this part of the epistle is wonderful. chapter, and is strongly illustrated by This, in particular, finely introduces chap. ix. 2-4.

Reflections on the joy their repentance gave St. Paul.

437

xii.

verse

5

10

when they can thus appeal to them as to the uprightness, integ- SECT. rity, and disinterestedness of their conduct! Frequently do we, in some degree, share the trials of the apostle; and while we may be surrounded with fightings without, are exercised with fears within; but we have a God, who assumeth it to himself as one of his titles, that he comforteth those that are cast down, and 6 brought low. May every sincere lover of Christ, and of souls, be filled with consolation from him, and amidst all his tribulations, whatever they may be, be made to rejoice exceedingly in the joy of his Christian friends and converts! May he trace in them 4 the marks of that true repentance which is never to be repented of, and which is represented in such genuine language, as no heart could have dictated, but one that had felt what is here described. And since there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not; and consequently none who needeth not repentance, may we all know by experience, that diligence, that indignation, that fear, that zeal, that desire, that revenge, which 11 the apostle saw in his Corinthian brethren, and which he rejoiced so much to see! There is not a surer office of friendship, than 9 to endeavour to promote this godly sorrow. And O, how blessed, how divine a principle is religion, whose most painful operation is productive of so much inward and substantial happiness! whereas the sorrow of this world, to which they who fondly love the world, and eagerly pursue it, are most exposed, is attended with such fatal consequences, as even to work death.

10

Let us observe with pleasure the address of St. Paul, to make the Corinthians what they ought to be, by representing to them that pleasing confidence he reposed in them, the manner in which he had even boasted of them, and the satisfaction he found in all their first tendencies towards a reformation of remaining defects. And let us earnestly pray for the spirit of wisdom, that 14--16 our hearts may be happily attempered to such due mixtures of faithful inspection, resolute sincerity, and endearing tenderness, 13 with respect to all who are committed to our care, whether in offices of a public or private nature, as may most effectually promote their advancement in the Divine life, and our own abundant joy.

438 He praises the Macedonians' liberality to the saints in Judea,

ЗЕСТ.

SECT. XIII.

The apostle enters on the subject of the contribution he was setting forward for the relief of the poor Christians of Judea, recom mends to the Corinthians the example of the Macedonians, reminds them of the great grace of our blessed Redeemer, and gives some advice as to the manner of collecting and transmitting their bounty. 2 Cor. VIII. 1-15.

2 CORINTHIANS VIII. 1.

ECT. NOW we think it proper, brethren, to inform

2 Cor.

I

2 COR. VIII. 1.

donia :

MOREOVER, you of the happy and honourable effects of brethren, we that abundant communication of the grace of do you to wit of the grace of God beviii. God, which has been mercifully bestowed upon stowed on the the churches planted here in Macedonia, at Phi- churches of Macelippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and other places in this province: which has engaged them to exert themselves in a most liberal and generous contribution for the relief of the poor saints in 2 Judea. And here it would be a pleasure to 2 How that in a me more particularly to tell you, how in a great great trial of afflic and extraordinary trial of affliction, which they of their joy, and tion, the abundance met with from their persecuting enemies, who their deep poverty, were always so ready to harass and plunder abounded unto the them, (compare Acts xvi. chap. xvii.) their riches of their liberoverflowing joy for receiving the Christian relig ion, and with it, if I may so speak, the depth of their poverty amidst these distresses of their own, hath so abounded and furnished such supplies, to the riches of their liberality, that indigent as they are, they have done wonders for

ality.

3 the relief of their yet poorer brethren. So that, 3 For to their I can testify for them, and I do attest it with power (I bear repleasure, that to the utmost extent of [their] cord) yea, and be. yond their power, power; yea, and beyond what could have been they were willing of expected, or on the usual principles of compu- themselves: tation, judged to have been in [their] power,b

Grace of Gol.] As xapis sometimes signifies a gift, and things excellent and extraordinary in their kind, are in Hebrew often said to be things of God, or Divine; as trees of God, are great and flourishing trees; cities of God, great cities, (compare Psalm lxxx. 10, Acts vii. 20,) some have explained, xagi Ts Ox, as if it sig. nified the great, or liberal gift, which has been given in, or by the Macedonian churches; and Dr. Whitby very sufficiently proves, that xapis sometimes is put for gift. But considering what is the general sense of the word in St. Paul's

writings, and what his sentiments evidently are, as to the doctrine of Divine influences on the heart, I chose to follow the plainest and most obvious and common interpretation, which indeed I generally think the best, and take this verse to be in sense much equivalent to that pious acknowledgment of David, 1 Chron. xxix. 14, who are we, that we should be able to of fer so willingly, &c.

To their power, yea, and beyond that.] This is a noble hyperbole, like that of Demosthenes, "I have performed all, even with an industry beyond my power."

and enforces the like conduct on them by the example of Christ. 439

the gift, and take up

the saints

xiii.

2 Cor.

viii. 4

[they have been] willing of themselves, without SECT. my solicitation, to do the most generous things 4 Praying us with for the public service; At the same time enmuch entreaty, that treating us with much importunity, that we we would receive would receive the gift which their bounty had on us the fellowship prepared, and [take] a part of the ministration of the ministering to of the saints, as one of their commissioners to And [this they did,] 5 5 And this they did, convey it to Jerusalem. not as we hoped, but not merely as we expected and hoped, but even first gave their own beyond all we could have imagined; for they selves to the Lord, first gave themselves, and all they had, entirely to the honour and service of the Lord; and having thus surrendered all they were, and all they possessed, to Christ and his cause, they in effect resigned themselves to us by the will of God, putting themselves in this respect under my direction, to do what I should in conscience think most advisable in present circumstances. 6 Insomuch that Insomuch that, unable to withstand their press- 6 we desired Titus, ing solicitation, we desired Titus, that as he had that as he had begun, so he would also fin- begun to do in other places, so he would also ish in you the same complete this instance of grace and liberality grace also.

and unto us by the will of God:

7 Therefore, as ye

ye abound in this grace also.

among you, and finish what yet remains to be
done, as to collecting the intended contribution.

Therefore, my brethren, as ye abound in every 7 abound in every other [gift,] (1 Cor. i. 4-7, chap. xii. 8-10,) thing, in faith, and utterance, and know- and particularly in faith, which rises to the fullledge, and in all dil- est persuasion of the truth of the gospel, and igence, and in your in all utterance and ability to instruct others, love to us see that and in the clearest knowledge of Divine things, and in all active diligence, and in your affectionate love to us; so [we exhort] and entreat [you,] that ye would take this opportunity of shewing, that ye abound also in this grace of Christian 8 I speak not by liberality. And here, you will observe that 8 commandment, but I speak not by way of command, so as to take by occasion of the forwardness of oth- upon me to determine how much, or in what ers, and to prove the proportion, ye shall give; but that I may prove, sincerity of your love. by what I have just been saying of the diligence of others, that is the Macedonians, the genuine sincerity of your love in its most substantial effects.

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For ye know

And I may well expect, that you should exert 9 yourselves on such an occasion, in consequence

Complete this grace among you.] I doubt the English reader more sensible of the not, that xapy here signifies gift, or pres- ambiguity and emphasis of the word usuent, or liberality; but I thought, that re- ally rendered grace.

taining the word grace here, might make

440.

viii. 9

He exhorts them to give with a willing mind.

SECT. of your acquaintance with the great and most the grace of out xiii. fundamental principles of the gospel, in which Lord Jesus Christ, you have been so faithfully instructed. For you rich, yet for your that though he was 2 Cor. know in some measure, though it is impossible sakes he became for you fully to know, and distinctly to conceive poor, that ye through in its utmost extent, the grace of our Lord fehis poverty might be rich. sus Christ, that though he was rich in the glories of the heavenly world, and in supreme dominion and authority there, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through this his voluntary poverty, might not only be discharged from that dreadful debt you had contracted to the Divine justice, by which you were become ob noxious to everlasting ruin and condemnation; but that you might also become rich in the favour of God, and in the graces of the Holy Spirit now, and at length for ever rich in the treasures and glories of the heavenly world:

you, who have be

it; that as there was

10 And as I cannot but desire, that the servants of 10 And herein I so excellent a Master may herein imitate his give my advice: for example, and take the most effectual methods this is expedient for to advance his honour and interest in the world, gun before, notonly I give [my] advice to you in general, to dispatch to do, but also to be this affair vigorously; for this is evidently ex. forward a year ago. pedient for you, and consistent with what you have already in a manner bound yourselves to, as you have begun, not only to do something, but also to exert yourselves d resolutely and deter11 minately, a year ago. I now therefore entreat 11 Now therefore you not to be offended, if I urge you to complete perform the doing of your undertaking, that according to the readiness a readiness to will, which you expressed to determine, and resolve so there may be a perupon this good scheme, there may also be the formance also out of accomplishment of that determination, in propor- that which you have. 12 tion to what you have. The smallest contribu- 12 For if there be tion from such a principle will be pleasing to first a willing mind, God, and most assuredly draw its reward after tis accepted accordit; for if there be first a readiness of mind, ac- hath, and not according to that a man cording to what a man hath, [he is] accepted of ing to that he hath God, [and] not according to what he hath not: a not. little in proportion to his abilities, is pleasing to God ; yea, more pleasing, than it would be, if this proportion were less prudently observed. 13 [I say this] not by any means, that [there should that other men be be] a rest to others, and affliction to you, that eased, and you burdened: they should be eased, and you overburdened;

13 For I mean not

To exert yourselves.] It is evident that, that it must signify a resolute and vigorous To exew, is an advance upon, omneas. So determination. Compare 1 Cor. xvi. 2.

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