John Calvin

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God.

“For as chaste and virtuous women, satisfied with the gracefulness of natural beauty, do not resort to artificial adornings, while harlots never think themselves sufficiently adorned, unless they have corrupted nature, so Paul glories in having set forth the pure gospel, while others set forth…”

Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

“For although it is acknowledged by all, that it is a commendable virtue to give help to the needy, they, nevertheless, do not reckon it to be a gain, nor do they look upon it as the grace of God Nay rather, they reckon, that…”

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

“By the term joy he means that spiritual consolation by which believers are sustained under their afflictions; for the wicked either delude themselves with empty consolations, by avoiding a perception of the evil, and drawing off the mind to rambling thoughts, or else they wholly…”

Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.

“For the members of Christ ought mutually to minister to each other. In this way, when we relieve the brethren, we do nothing more than discharge a ministry that is due to them.”

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give.

“I answer, that his words are not to be understood as though Paul had declared, that what they were to give was already laid aside in the chest, but he simply mentioned what had been resolved upon among them.”

Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.

“In this confidence The Greek term being hupostasis the Old Interpreter has rendered it substantiam, (substance.) Erasmus renders it argumentum, (subject-matter,) but neither is suitable.”

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised.

“As a blessing, not in the way of niggardliness In place of blessing, some render it collection. I have preferred, however, to render it literally, as the Greeks employed the term eulogias to express the Hebrew word vrkh, (beracah,) which is used in the sense…”

Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

“My yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29, 30.) The Prophet also says of him, His voice will not be heard in the streets: a bruised reed he shall not break, etc. (Isaiah 42:2, 3.)”

I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.

“Not as if he were a fool in glorying; for he was constrained to it by necessity, and besides, he restrained himself in such a manner, that no one could justly regard him as going beyond bounds; but as it is an unseemly thing to…”

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

“That on the other hand, is the only pious and right zeal, that has an eye to God, that he may not be defrauded of the honors that of right belong to him. For I have united you to one man.”

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

“Paul is afraid, lest this should befall him. The graces conferred by God are, indeed, to be acknowledged, that we may be aroused, -- first, to gratitude for them, and secondly, to the right improvement of them; but to take occasion from them to boast…”

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.

“I knew a man in Christ As he was desirous to restrain himself within bounds, he merely singles out one instance, and that, too, he handles in such a way as to show, that it is not from inclination that he brings it forward; for…”