Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.

“Resuming the connection with 2Co 6:1, interrupted by the parenthetical 2Co 6:2. "Giving no offense" (compare 1Co 10:33), "approving ourselves," and all the other participles down to 2Co 6:10, are nominatives to "we also entreat you" (2Co 6:1), to show the pains he took to…”

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;

“Translate, to mark the true order of the Greek words, "in everything, as God's ministers recommending ourselves," that is, that our hearers may give our message a favorable hearing, through our consistency in every respect, not that they may glorify us.”

through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine;

“Regarded "as deceivers" by those who, not knowing (2Co 6:9), dishonor and give us an evil report; "as true," by those who "know" (2Co 6:9) us in the real "glory" of our ministry.”

sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

“The things both of the present and of the future are, in the truest sense, the believer's in possession, for he possesses them all in Christ, his lasting possession, though the full fruition of them is reserved for the future eternity.”

It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.

“Any constraint ye feel towards me, or narrowness of heart, is not from want of largeness of heart on my part towards you, but from want of it on your part towards me. bowels--that is, affections (compare 2Co 12:15).”

As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.

“Translate, "As a recompense in the same kind . . . be enlarged also yourselves" [ELLICOTT]. "In the same way" as my heart is enlarged towards you (2Co 6:11), and "as a recompense" for it (Ga 4:12).”

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

“Belial--Hebrew, "worthlessness, unprofitableness, wickedness." As Satan is opposed to God, and Antichrist to Christ; Belial being here opposed to Christ, must denounce all manner of Antichristian uncleanness [BENGEL]. he that believeth with an infidel--Translate, "a believer with an unbeliever."”

“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

“Touching is more polluting, as implying participation, than seeing. receive you--The Greek implies, "to myself"; as persons heretofore out of doors, but now admitted within (2Co 5:1-10). With this accords the clause, "Come out from among them," namely, so as to be received to me.”

Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

“We wronged none by an undue exercise of apostolic authority; 2Co 7:13 gives an instance in point. We have corrupted none, namely, by beguilements and flatteries, while preaching "another Gospel," as the false teachers did (2Co 11:3, 4).”

I do not say this to condemn you. I have said before that you so occupy our hearts that we live and die together with you.

“In excusing myself, I do not accuse you, as though you suspected me of such things [MENOCHIUS], or as though you were guilty of such things; for I speak only of the false apostles [ESTIUS and Greek commentators].”

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,

“Translate in the order required by the Greek, "But he that comforteth those that are cast down, even God." Those that are of an high spirit are not susceptible of such comfort.”

Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication!

“In all--the respects just stated. clear--Greek, "pure," namely, from complicity in the guilty deed. "Approved yourselves," Greek, "commended yourselves." Whatever suspicion of complicity rested on you (1Co 5:2, 6) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.”

So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on…

“ALFORD explains the reading: "He wrote in order to bring out their zeal on his behalf (that is, to obey his command), and make it manifest to themselves in God's sight, that is, to bring out among them their zeal to regard and obey him."”

On account of this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were even more delighted by the joy of Titus.

“The oldest manuscripts read thus, "Therefore (Greek, 'for this cause,' namely, because our aim has been attained) we have been (English Version, 'were,' is not so accurate) comforted; yea (Greek, 'but'), in OUR comfort we exceedingly the more joyed for the joy of Titus," &c.”

Indeed, I was not embarrassed by anything I had boasted to him about you.

“I am not ashamed--"I am not put to shame," namely, by learning from Titus that you did not realize the high character I gave him of you. as . . . all things . . . in truth, even so our boasting . . .”

And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.

“The giving of themselves takes precedency of their other gifts, as being the motive which led them to the latter (Ro 15:16).”

And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a…

“This agrees with one, and only one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store the fund from which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case which is shown by 1Co 16:2 to have existed [PALEY, Horæ Paulinæ].”

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

“For--Following up the rule "out of that which ye have" (2Co 8:11), and no more. a willing mind--rather, as Greek, "the readiness," namely, to will, referring to 2Co 8:11. accepted--Greek "favorably accepted." according to that a man hath--The oldest manuscripts omit "a man."”

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

“For--Supply from 2Co 8:8, "I speak." My aim is not that others (namely, the saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the cost of your being "distressed" (so the Greek for "burdened"). The golden rule is, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," not more than thyself.”

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.

“Returning to the subject of 2Co 8:6. for you--Translate, "Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus," as was in myself.”

More than that, this brother was chosen by the churches to accompany us with the offering—the gracious gift we administer to honor the Lord Himself and to show our eagerness…

“This and the previous clause, "to the glory of the same Lord," do not follow "administered by us," but "chosen of the churches to travel," &c.”

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

“For--connected with 2Co 8:16: "Show love to the messengers of the churches; for as concerns the ministration for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you who are so forward already."”

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

“I say--ELLICOTT and others supply the ellipsis thus: "But remember this." bountifully--literally, "with," or "in blessings." The word itself implies a beneficent spirit in the giver (compare 2Co 9:7, end), and the plural implies the abundance and liberality of the gifts.”

As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

“So in Ps 112:9. the poor--The Greek word is found here only in New Testament, "one in straitened circumstances, who earns his bread by labor." The word usually employed means "one so poor as to live by begging."”

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

“Translate, as in Isa 55:10, "He that ministereth (supplieth) seed to the sower and bread for food" (literally, "bread for eating"). minister--rather future, as the oldest manuscripts, "Shall minister (supply) and multiply." your seed--your means for liberality.”