Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

“Hence, the apostle was enabled to labor in the whole province of Achaia with such success as to establish several churches there (1Th 1:8; 2Th 1:4), where, writing from Corinth, he speaks of the "churches," namely, not only the Corinthian, but others also--Athens, Cenchrea, and…”

For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

“(2) They are borne for His sake; (3) They tend to His glory (Eph 4:1; 1Pe 4:14, 16). abound in us--Greek, "abound unto us."”

And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from…

“Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions, however, support it. godly sincerity--literally, "sincerity of God"; that is, sincerity as in the presence of God (1Co 5:8). We glory in this in spite of all our adversities.”

For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read and understand. And I hope that you will understand us completely,

“I would translate, "None other things than what ye know by reading (by comparing my former Epistle with my present Epistle), or even know as a matter of fact (namely, the consistency of my acts with my words)." even to the end--of my life.”

as you have already understood us in part, so that you may boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of our Lord Jesus.

“Hence arises the difference of tone in different parts of this Epistle. See Introduction. your rejoicing--your subject of glorying or boast.”

When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” when I really mean “No, no”?

“The repetition of the "yea" and "nay" hardly agrees with ALFORD'S view, "What I purpose do I purpose according to the changeable purposes of the fleshly (worldly) man, that there may be with me the yea yea, and the nay nay (that is, both affirmation…”

For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.

“The whole range of Old Testament and New Testament promises are secure in their fulfilment for us in Christ.”

placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

“The Holy Spirit is given to the believer now as a first instalment to assure him his full inheritance as a son of God shall be his hereafter (Eph 1:13, 14).”

I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.

“I came not as yet--Greek, "no longer"; that is, I gave up my purpose of then visiting Corinth. He wished to give them time for repentance, that he might not have to use severity towards them.”

For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?

“For--proof that he shrinks from causing them sorrow ("heaviness"). if I--The "I" is emphatic. Some detractor may say that this (2Co 2:1) is not my reason for not coming as I proposed; since I showed no scruple in causing "heaviness," or sorrow, in my Epistle…”

I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice.

“The latter happy effect was produced by his first Epistle, whereas the former would have been the result, had he then visited them as he had originally proposed. having confidence . . .”

Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you—to some degree, not to overstate it.

“ALFORD punctuates, "He hath not made sorry me, but in part (that I press not too heavily; namely, on him) you all." Thus "you all" is in contrast to "me"; and "in part" is explained in the parenthetical clause.”

The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.

“Sufficient--without increasing it, which would only drive him to despair (2Co 2:7), whereas the object of the punishment was, "that (his) spirit might be saved" in the last day. to such a man--a milder designation of the offender than if he had been named [MEYER].”

My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

“All this accords with reality, and is as remote as possible from imposture [PALEY, Horæ Paulinæ]. The interchange of feeling is marked (2Co 2:4), "I wrote . . .”

in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

“The loss of a single sinner is a common loss; therefore, in 2Co 2:10, he said, "for your sakes." Paul had "delivered" the offender "to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the Spirit might be saved" (1Co 5:5).”

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,

“On his return to Asia, after the longer visit mentioned here, he stayed seven days (Ac 20:6). and--that is, though Paul would, under ordinary circumstances, have gladly stayed in Troas. door . . . opened . . .”

But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

“His Almighty Conqueror was leading him about, through all the cities of the Greek and Roman world, as an illustrious example of His power at once to subdue and to save. The foe of Christ was now the servant of Christ.”

To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

“The Greek order puts prominently foremost the momentous and difficult task assigned to him, "For these things, who is sufficient?"”

It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets…

“Compare 2Co 3:2, "As ye are our Epistle written in our hearts," so Christ has in the first instance made you "His Epistle written with the Spirit in (on) your hearts."”

Such confidence before God is ours through Christ.

“Confidence toward God is solid and real, as looking to Him for the strength needed now, and also for the reward of grace to be given hereafter. Compare Ac 24:15, "hope toward God."”

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

“The Greek is, "Not that we are (even yet after so long experience as ministers) sufficient to think anything OF ourselves as (coming) FROM ourselves; but our sufficiency is (derived) FROM God."”

Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.

“For even the ministration of condemnation, the law, 2Co 3:7 (which has been glorified at Sinai in Moses' person), has now (English Version translates less fitly, "was made . . .”

But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant.

“Parenthetical: Of Christians in general. He resumes the subject of the ministry, 2Co 4:1. minds--Greek, "mental perceptions"; "understandings." blinded--rather, "hardened." The opposite to "looking steadfastly at the end" of the law (2Co 3:13).”

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

“Moses took off the veil on entering into the presence of the Lord. So as to the Israelites whom Moses represents, "whensoever their heart (it) turns (not as English Version, 'shall turn') to the Lord, the veil is (by the very fact; not as English…”

Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.

“Therefore--Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory (2Co 3:17, 18).”