2 Corinthianschapter 2
17 verses · Paul · about AD 56 · Paul's letters
So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Introduction
Paul, Paul's letters, 2 Corinthians Overview.
This chapter continues the letter Paul sent, with Timothy named beside him, to the church in Corinth. It follows straight on from the end of chapter 1, where Paul began to explain why he stayed away. Here he speaks of a letter he wrote with many tears and of a man the church had punished. Listen for how quickly the tone moves from sorrow to forgiveness. Listen also for the sudden burst of thanks near the end, where Paul pictures himself in a victory procession. Hear it as a pastor who wants discipline to end in restoration.
Context
- Who
- Corinthians who had disciplined an offender and now needed to know what to do next.
- What
- Part of Paul's letter to Corinth that explains his tearful letter, pleads for a punished man to be restored, and describes the gospel ministry as a triumphal procession.
- Where
- Written from Macedonia, after Paul had left an open door at Troas to look for Titus.
- When
- About AD 55 to 56, after a painful visit to Corinth and a letter written in tears.
- Why
- To bring the church's discipline of an offender to its proper end in forgiveness, and to show what kind of minister Paul is.
Historical context
Behind this chapter lie events not recorded in Acts: a distressing visit Paul made to Corinth, and a letter written with many tears that he sent instead of coming again. That letter does not survive under its own name, and its relation to the letters we have is debated.
Show the rest of the historical context, 3 more paragraphs
The offender he speaks of has been punished by the majority, a formal act of the congregation. Ancient associations did discipline members, but reinstating someone was the harder move, and Paul presses for it so that the man is not overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
The triumph image at the end would have been vivid to anyone who knew Rome. A victorious general paraded through the city with his army, his spoils, and his captives, while incense burned along the route, the same smell meaning glory to the victors and execution to the prisoners. Paul places himself in that procession, led along by God, spreading a fragrance that is life to some and death to others.
Titus not being at Troas is a small, human detail: Paul had a door open for the gospel there and could not settle to it because his friend had not arrived with news from Corinth.
Significance
The first hearers were told that discipline had a finish line. Forgive him, comfort him, reaffirm your love for him, so that Satan does not outwit a church that gets the punishment right and the restoration wrong.
Show the rest of the significance, 1 more paragraph
They also learned what Paul thought he was doing among them. Not peddling God's word for profit, as many did, but speaking in Christ as one sent from God, in God's sight.
The heads below are this chapter's scenes. The numbered points under each are its verses.
The Letter Written With Many Tears
2 Corinthians 2:1-2
not to make another painful visit: Paul made up his mind against another painful visit, since it would grieve both Paul and a church recovering from the first. Verse 2 gives the logic: if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?
2 Corinthians 2:1
“But I determined this with myself - I made up my mind on this point; I formed this resolution in regard to my course. That I would not come again to you in heaviness - In grief (ἐνη λύπ enē lup). “I would not come, if I could avoid it, in circumstances which must have grieved both me and you. I would not come while there existed among you such irregularities as must have pained my heart, and as must have compelled me to resort to such acts of discipline as would be painful to you.”
who is left to cheer me: His joy hangs on the people he would grieve. Albert Barnes pictures a visit spent in severe discipline, after which the whole church would be too sorrowful to comfort him. John Wesley puts it briefly, that Paul cannot be comforted until their grief is removed.
2 Corinthians 2:2
“For if I grieve you, who is he that cheereth me, but he that is grieved by me - That is, I cannot be comforted myself till his grief is removed.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:2
“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 (the first Epistle to the Corinthians).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
2 Corinthians 2:3-4
I wrote as I did: The words I wrote as I did point to the severe letter Paul sent instead of the visit. Verse 4 tells its cost and aim: written through many tears, to let you know how much I love you.
2 Corinthians 2:3
“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 . . . that my joy is the joy of you all--trusting that you, too, would feel that there was sufficient reason for the postponement, if it interfered with our mutual joy [ALFORD].”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
2 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:3
“He had written with tears, that they might know his abundant love to them. Note, [1.] Even in reproofs, admonitions, and acts of discipline, faithful ministers show their love. [2.] Needful censures, and the exercise of church-discipline towards offenders, are a grief to tender-spirited ministers, and are administered with regret.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
2 Corinthians 2:3
“And I wrote this same unto you - The words “this same” (τοῦτο αὐτὸ (touto auto) refer to what he had written to them in the former Epistle, particularly to what he had written in regard to the incestuous person, requiring them to excommunicate him. Probably the expression also includes the commands in his former Epistle to reform their conduct in general, and to put away the abuses and evil practices which prevailed in the church there.”
through many tears I wrote you: The letter that hurt them had hurt its writer first. John Chrysostom reads great distress, anguish of heart and many tears as proof that Paul grieved more than those who had sinned.
2 Corinthians 2:4
“For out of much affliction, etc. - It is very likely that the apostle’s enemies had represented him as a harsh, austere, authoritative man; who was better pleased with inflicting wounds than in healing them. But he vindicates himself from this charge by solemnly asserting that this was the most painful part of his office; and that the writing of his first epistle to them cost him much affliction and anguish of heart, and many tears.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
Forgive Him, or Satan Gains the Advantage
2 Corinthians 2:5-6
if anyone has caused grief: Paul widens the injury from himself to the whole congregation: the man grieved all of you. The man goes unnamed, and the punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient, so the church's discipline has done its work.
2 Corinthians 2:5
“If any have caused grief - There is doubtless here an allusion to the incestuous person. But it is very delicately done. He does not mention him by name. There is not anywhere an allusion to his name; nor is it possible now to know it. Is this not a proof that the names of the offending brethren in a church should not be put on the records of sessions, and churches, and presbyteries, to be handed down to posterity? Paul does not here either expressly refer to such a person.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:5
“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.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
The punishment imposed on him by the majority: The discipline was the act of the congregation, and Paul calls it enough. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown warn that adding to it would only drive the man to despair, when its aim was that his spirit be saved. Albert Barnes notes that it had already brought him to repentance.
2 Corinthians 2:6
“Sufficient to such a man is this punishment - That is, the man has already suffered sufficiently. Here he gives a proof of his parental tenderness towards this great transgressor. He had been disowned by the Church; he had deeply repented; and now the apostle pleads for him.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:6
“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].”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
2 Corinthians 2:7-8
forgive and comfort him: Paul now calls for discipline to end: forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Verse 8 asks the church to reaffirm your love for him, since discipline aims at a sinner's repentance and restoration.
2 Corinthians 2:7
“So that contrariwise - On the other hand: on the contrary. That is, instead of continuing the punishment. Since the punishment was sufficient, and has answered all the purpose of bearing your testimony against the offence, and of bringing him to repentance, you ought again to admit him to your communion. Ye ought rather to forgive him - Rather than continue the pain and disgrace of excommunication.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:7
“He was so sensible of this fault, and so much afflicted under his punishment, that he was in danger of falling into despair. When sorrow is excessive it does hurt; and even sorrow for sin is too great when it unfits for other duties, and drives men to despair.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
reaffirm your love for him: Albert Barnes notes that the Greek verb occurs in the New Testament only here and at Galatians 3:15, and means to establish as valid. Adam Clarke reads it as a public act of the church.
2 Corinthians 2:8
“That ye would confirm your love toward him - You do love him, notwithstanding the reproach he has brought on the Gospel; and notwithstanding your love to him, ye were obliged to cut him off for the credit of the Gospel. Now that he has repented, I beseech you to confirm, κυρωσαι, to ratify, by a public act of the Church, your love to him; give him the fullest proof that you do love him; by forgiving him and restoring him to his place in the Church.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
2 Corinthians 2:9-11
stand the test and be obedient: Paul joins his forgiveness to the church's: If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. Verse 11 names the danger of excessive severity, which Satan could use to turn the church's discipline into division.
2 Corinthians 2:9
“For to this end also did I write - The apostle did not say that this was the only purpose of his writing, to induce them to excommunicate the offender. He does not say that he wished in an arbitrary manner to test their willingness to obey him, or to induce them to do a thing in itself wrong, in order to try their obedience. But the meaning is this: This was the main reason why he wrote to them, rather than to come personally among them.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:9
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 . . . that ye might know the love," &c.: here, "I did write, that I might know the proof of you."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
in the presence of Christ: Paul joins his pardon to the church's pardon. John Wesley reads the forgiving as done by the authority Christ had given him.
2 Corinthians 2:10
“To whom ye forgive - He makes no question of their complying with his direction. Anything - So mildly does he speak even of that heinous sin, after it was repented of. In the person of Christ - By the authority wherewith he has invested me.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
2 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:10
“To whom ye forgive any thing - Here he farther shows them that his sole object in the punishment inflicted on the transgressor, was his amendment and therefore promises to ratify, in the name and authority of Christ, the free pardon which he exhorts them to dispense. In the person of Christ - As I believe Christ acts towards his penitent soul, so do I. Christ forgives his sin, and takes him to his favor; let us forgive him his offense against the Church, and restore him to its communion.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
2 Corinthians 2:10
“Our patience, and facility, and humanity are ready for those who come. I entreat all to return into the Church. I beg all our fellow-soldiers to be included within the camp of Christ, and the dwelling-place of God the Father. I remit everything. I shut my eyes to many things, with the desire and the wish to gather together the brotherhood. Even those things which are committed against God I do not investigate with the full judgment of religion. I almost sin myself, in remitting sins more than I ought.”
Cyprian · written before 258 · Epistle LIVpatristic
Satan should not outwit us: The verb means to take more than one's share, and Albert Barnes renders the clause that we may not be defrauded by Satan. Adam Clarke explains the fraud. A penitent left in despair would make the church's discipline look like destruction instead of healing.
2 Corinthians 2:11
“Lest Satan - The devil. The name Satan denotes an adversary, an accuser, an enemy. It is the usual proper name which is given to the devil, the great adversary of God and man. Should get an advantage of us - The literal translation of the Greek would be, “That we may not be defrauded by Satan.” (Ἵνα μὴ πλεονεκτηθῶμεν ὑπὸ τοῦ Σατανᾶ Hina mē pleonektēthōmen hupo Satana). The verb used here denotes to have more than another; then to gain, to take advantage of one, to defraud.”
3 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:11
“Sadly, I don't think Paul could write that to most churches today, as I believe that most churches, and most people, are absolutely ignorant of the enemy's schemes.”
Chip Ingram · Are You on Satan's Agenda? (article) (2018)Evangelical
2 Corinthians 2:11
“Lest Satan - To whom he had been delivered, and who sought to destroy not only his flesh, but his soul also. Get an advantage over us - For the loss of one soul is a common loss.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
2 Corinthians 2:11
“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).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
Led in Triumph: The Fragrance of Life and Death
2 Corinthians 2:12-13
a door stood open for me: At Troas a door stood open for me in the Lord, a real opportunity given by God. Yet Paul had no peace, because he did not find Titus there, and he went on to Macedonia. His anxiety over Corinth outweighed a fruitful door.
2 Corinthians 2:12
“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 . . . of the Lord--Greek, "in the Lord," that is, in His work, and by His gracious Providence.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:12
“He went to Troas from Philippi by sea ( Acts xx. 6 ), and thence he went to Macedonia; so that he was prevented from passing by Corinth, as he had designed, ch. i. But, though he was prevented in his design as to the place of working, yet he was unwearied in his work.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
I had no peace in my spirit: Titus carried the news Paul was waiting for. Matthew Henry points ahead to 7:5 to 7, where Paul finds Titus in Macedonia and is comforted by his report. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown set the unrest of Paul's spirit here beside the unrest of his flesh at 7:5.
2 Corinthians 2:13
“I had no rest in my spirit - I was disappointed, sad, deeply anxious. Though the work in which I was engaged was that which usually gives me my highest joy, yet such was my anxiety to learn the state of things in Corinth, and the success of my letter, and to see Titus, whom I was expecting, that I had comparatively no peace, and no comfort.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:13
“The apostle resumes the thread of his discourse, chap. vii, 2, interposing an admirable digression concerning what he had done and suffered elsewhere, the profit of which he by this means derives to the Corinthians also; and as a prelude to his apology against the false apostles.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
leads us triumphantly as captives: The words leads us triumphantly translate thriambeuo, the verb for a Roman general's triumphal procession, with Christ as the victor. The incense burned along a triumph's route becomes Paul's picture for the gospel, the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14
“Now, thanks be unto God - His coming dispelled all my fears, and was the cause of the highest satisfaction to my mind; and filled my heart with gratitude to God, who is the Author of all good, and who always causes us to triumph in Christ; not only gives us the victory, but such a victory as involves the total ruin of our enemies; and gives us cause of triumphing in him, through whom we have obtained this victory.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
2 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:14
“The emperor himself was the chief guardian of all the gods, yet the apostle of Christ challenged the whole ancient world and rejected the strength and impressive array of a cruel world empire. Instead, Paul knew his God “always leads us in triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14).”
Reinhard Bonnke · Faith: The Link with God’s Power (CfaN Bible study series)Pentecostal-evangelical
2 Corinthians 2:14
“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. As to be led in triumph by man is the most miserable, so to be led in triumph by God is the most glorious, lot that can befall any [TRENCH].”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
2 Corinthians 2:15-16
the sweet aroma of Christ: We are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. One fragrance meets both, and the difference lies in the hearer, death to one and life to another.
2 Corinthians 2:15
“For we - The preachers of the gospel. Are to God a sweet odour of Christ - God is well-pleased with this perfume diffused by us, both in them that believe and are saved, treated of, chap. iii, 1; chap. iv, 2; and in them that obstinately disbelieve and, consequently, perish, treated of, chap. iv, 3-6.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
3 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:15
“And the Saviour Himself washing the feet of the disciples, and despatching them to do good deeds, pointed out their pilgrimage for the benefit of the nations, making them beforehand fair and pure by His power. Then the ointment breathed on them its fragrance, and the work of sweet savour reaching to all was proclaimed; for the passion of the Lord has filled us with sweet fragrance, and the Hebrews with guilt.”
Clement of Alexandria · written before 215 · The Instructor Book 2patristic
2 Corinthians 2:15
“For we are unto God - We who are his ministers, and who thus triumph. It is implied here that Paul felt that ministers were laboring for God, and felt assured that their labors would be acceptable to him. The object of Paul in the statement, in this and in the following verses, is undoubtedly to meet the charges of his detractors and enemies. He says, therefore, that whatever was the result of his labors in regard to the future salvation of people; yet, that his well-meant endeavors, and labors, and self-denials in preaching the gospel, were acceptable to God.”
2 Corinthians 2:15
“God will accept of sincere intentions, and honest endeavours, though with many they are not successful. Ministers shall be accepted, and recompensed, not according to their success, but according to their fidelity. Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, Isa. xlix.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
who is qualified for such a task?: The question is answered in the next chapter. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown point to 3:5 and 6, where Paul says his sufficiency comes from God. John Chrysostom notes that one fragrance saves some and destroys others, so that anyone who perishes has himself to blame.
who peddle the word of God: Paul sets himself against so many who peddle the word of God for profit, the rival teachers at Corinth. The verb is kapeleuo, used of a huckster diluting wine to sell more of it.
2 Corinthians 2:17
“For we are not as many, who adulterate the word of God - Like those vintners (so the Greek word implies) who mix their wines with baser liquors. But as of sincerity - Without any mixture.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 2:17
“For we are not as many - This refers doubtless to the false teachers at Corinth; and to all who mingled human philosophy or tradition with the pure word of truth. Paul’s design in the statement in this verse seems to be to affirm that he had such a deep sense of the responsibility of the ministerial office, and of its necessary influence on the eternal destiny of man, that it led him to preach the simple gospel, the pure word of God. He did not dare to dilute it with any human mixture.”
How this psalm is built
The form: A continuation of the reasons Paul gives for not visiting at the time he had proposed, as Clarke classes it.
The patterns in this chapter
| Device | What it does | Where to see it |
|---|---|---|
| Grief, eight times | Words of grief and sorrow stand eight times in the Berean text of verses 1 to 7: painful in verse 1, grieve and grieved in verse 2, saddened in verse 3, grieve in verse 4, grief and grieved in verse 5, and sorrow in verse 7. John Chrysostom reads the piled words of verse 4 as proof that Paul was pained more than those who had sinned. The grief of the first verses gives way to forgiveness and comfort at verse 7.John Chrysostom, Homily 4 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 2:4. | 2 Corinthians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 2:4, 2 Corinthians 2:5 |
| Forgive, five times | Forgive stands five times in the Berean text, once in verse 7 and four times in verse 10. The word that ends the discipline is spoken by the church and by Paul together. John Chrysostom notes that Paul makes the forgiveness the joint act of himself and the church throughout.John Chrysostom, Homily 4 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 2:11. | 2 Corinthians 2:7, 2 Corinthians 2:10 |
| The triumphal procession | Verse 14 pictures God leading His servants in triumph while a fragrance spreads everywhere. The site's published exposition of the verse reads the figure from a Roman general's procession, with incense burned along the route. John Chrysostom reads it as persecutions setting up trophies against the devil in every part of the world.This site's published exposition of 2 Corinthians 2:14, The exposition_notes row on 2 Corinthians 2:14, citing Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, and Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture, Corinthians. | 2 Corinthians 2:14 |
| Death and life | Fragrance, aroma and odor stand four times in verses 14 to 16, and verse 16 sets the two outcomes against each other, death for one and life for the other. The same message works opposite ends in those who are being saved and those who are perishing. John Chrysostom compares it to ointment, said to choke swine, and to light, which blinds weak eyes.John Chrysostom, Homily 5 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 2:16. | 2 Corinthians 2:15, 2 Corinthians 2:16 |
How the chapter is built
7 more paragraphs on the patterns
Verses 1 to 4 explain the letter written in tears. Verses 5 to 11 ask the church to forgive and restore the man it punished. Verses 12 and 13 tell of Paul's unrest at Troas and his crossing to Macedonia. Verses 14 to 17 break into thanks for God's triumph and describe the ministry as a fragrance spread by men who speak with sincerity before God.
Where it stands in the letter
The chapter carries on the answer begun at 1:23, where Paul said he stayed away to spare them. The account of his travels stops at 2:13 and is taken up again at 7:5, and the chapters between describe the ministry he has been given. The question of verse 16, who is qualified for such a task, is answered at 3:5 and 6.
The debated reading: who the offender was
Verses 5 to 11 do not name the man. Albert Barnes sees an allusion to the incestuous man of 1 Corinthians 5, made with great delicacy (Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869), on 2 Corinthians 2:5). Adam Clarke also refers the verses to that case (Commentary on the Bible, on 2 Corinthians 2:5). Tertullian questions whether the pardon has anything to do with the man who took his father's wife (On Modesty, on 2 Corinthians 2:5). The site's published exposition of verses 5 and 6 records both readings and settles neither.
The debated reading: led in triumph
The Berean text of verse 14 has God leading His servants triumphantly as captives in Christ. Adam Clarke reads the verb as God causing Paul to triumph, with a victory that ruins his enemies (Commentary on the Bible, on 2 Corinthians 2:14). John Chrysostom reads it as God making the apostles renowned to all, their persecutions setting up trophies against the devil everywhere (Homily 5 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 2:14). The site's published exposition keeps both pictures, captives who share the victory of the one who leads them.
Keep studying
Sources for this chapter
The summary
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.
The form and classifications
Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible, on 2 Corinthians 2:1 and John Chrysostom.
The exposition
Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes; Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture, Corinthians; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Frederic Godet, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.