Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Corinthians
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 7
Overview:
An exhortation to
Holiness, and the whole
Church entreated to
Bear Affection to the
Apostle.
(1-4) He rejoiced in their
sorrowing to
Repentance.
(5-11) And in the comfort they and
Titus had together.
(12-16)
1-4 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
danger lest the
Gospel itself be despised also; and though
ministers must flatter none, 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 Man By
false doctrines or flattering speeches; that they have defrauded
No Man; nor sought to promote their own interests
So as to hurt
any. It was
Affection to them made the
Apostle speak
So freely
to them, and caused him to
Glory of them, in all places, and
upon all occasions.
5-11 There were fightings without, or continual contentions
with, and opposition from Jews and
Gentiles; and there were
fears within, and great concern for such as 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
wrought
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 an interest in his
Atonement. There is a
great difference between this sorrow of a godly sort, and the
sorrow of the world. The happy fruits of true
Repentance are
mentioned. Where the
Heart is changed, the
Life and actions will
be changed. It wrought indignation at
Sin, at themselves, at the
tempter and his instruments. It wrought a fear of watchfulness,
and a cautious fear of
Sin. It wrought desire to be reconciled
with
God. It wrought zeal for duty, and against
Sin. It wrought
revenge against
Sin and their own folly,
By endeavours to make
satisfaction for injuries done thereby.
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.
12-16 The
Apostle was not disappointed concerning them, which
he signified to
Titus; and he could with joy declare the
confidence he had in them for the time to come. Here see the
duties of a pastor and of his flock; the latter must lighten the
troubles of the pastoral office,
By respect and obedience; the
former make a due return
By his care of them, and cherish the
flock
By testimonies of satisfaction, joy, and tenderness.