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| 1 ¶ Having therefore these
promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. |
1 -
Cleanse ... flesh and spirit Thus holiness requires Christ's work
both for us and in us. And, according to this verse, it is also our work.
We exercise our will with the power provided by Christ.
4 - Joyful in ... tribulation Part of this joy is seeing God's glory through others. See ph0404-7. 4 - Boldness This may relate to the general purpose of this letter – countering false teachers. See 2co11. |
| .5
¶ For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but
we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
.6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. 8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. |
5 -
Into Macedonia See 2co0212 and
map.
5 - Troubled The Corinthian church gave the apostle more concern than others. See 2co1122, 2co1010. 8 - Sorry Or "sad." 8 - Letter That is, 1st Corinthians. 8 - Repent Better "regret." |
| .9
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance:
for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage
by us in nothing.
.10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. .11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. |
9 -
Rejoice not ... were made sorry Paul seems to regret the harshness
of his previous letter but it accomplished a good work for which he is
pleased.
10 - Godly sorrow ... repentance Their regret was repentance in harmony with the divine principles. This verse expresses an important principle. Compare je1506. 11 - Sorrowed They realized the results of living a godly life. |
| .12
¶ Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that
had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our
care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
.13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. |
12 - Care for you Paul's concern could now focus on the spirituality of the church. Its distinction from the people of the city was moral purity. |
| .14
For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as
we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made
before Titus, is found a truth.
15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. |
15
- Inward affection Literally "bowels." See ph0108,
pm12,
1jn0317,
16 - Confidence A good summary of the chapter. |
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