2 Corinthianschapter 7
16 verses · Paul · about AD 56 · Paul's letters
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Introduction
Paul, Paul's letters, 2 Corinthians Overview.
This chapter comes from Paul, writing with Timothy to the church at Corinth and the believers of Achaia. It finishes the call to holiness from the end of chapter 6, then returns to a story Paul broke off at 2:13. He had been waiting in Macedonia for Titus to bring word of how a hard letter had been received. Listen for how often comfort and joy are named. Listen also for the two kinds of sorrow set side by side in verse 10. Hear it as the story of a strained bond between a pastor and his church made whole.
Context
- Who
- A congregation whose response to a hard letter had turned out better than Paul feared.
- What
- A section of Paul's letter that tells how Titus brought good news from Corinth and what that news showed about repentance.
- Where
- Written from Macedonia, where Titus had just reached Paul, to the church at Corinth in the Roman province of Achaia.
- When
- About AD 55 to 56, soon after Titus arrived from Corinth.
- Why
- To show the Corinthians that their grief over his letter had led to repentance, and to restore full confidence between them before he speaks of the collection.
Historical context
The narrative Paul broke off in chapter two resumes here. He had gone on to Macedonia still without news, harassed at every turn, fighting without and fears within, until Titus finally arrived. The emotional honesty of that admission is unusual in ancient correspondence, where authors more often projected composure.
Show the rest of the historical context, 3 more paragraphs
Titus is functioning as an envoy and negotiator, the trusted man sent to handle a delicate situation in person. Letters could not read a room; a sent representative could, and could report back on mood as well as compliance.
Paul's distinction between godly grief and worldly grief matters in an honour-shame society, where being publicly corrected produced shame that could curdle into resentment or despair. Godly grief produces repentance leading to salvation and leaves no regret; worldly grief, the shame of losing face, produces death.
His comment that he regretted sending the letter, and then did not, is left in the text without tidying.
Significance
For the Corinthians, this chapter was Paul telling them he was proud of them. He had boasted about them to Titus, and they had proved him right.
Show the rest of the significance, 1 more paragraph
It also showed a leader taking his people's side. Their earnestness, longing, and zeal are recounted item by item, and he ends by saying he has complete confidence in them, the language of a relationship repaired rather than a case won.
The heads below are this chapter's scenes. The numbered points under each are its verses.
Cleanse Yourselves: You Are in Our Hearts to Live and Die
let us cleanse ourselves: Since we have these promises draws the conclusion from the temple texts that closed chapter 6. Perfecting holiness is a present participle, a pursuit that continues, and the fear of God grounds it.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Having therefore these promises - The promises referred to in 2Co 6:17-18; the promise that God would be a Father, a protector, and a friend The idea is, that as we have a promise that God would dwell in us, that he would be our God, that he would be to us a Father, we should remove from us whatever is offensive in his sight, and become perfectly holy. Let us cleanse ourselves - Let us purify ourselves. Paul was not afraid to bring into view the agency of Christians themselves in the work of salvation.”
2 more voices on this verseWhat preachers and commentators have said about this verse, in their own words.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“The promises of God are strong inducements to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely, 1. The dying unto sin, or mortifying our lusts and corruptions: we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. Sin is filthiness, and there are defilements of body and mind.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
2 Corinthians 7:1
“From all pollution of the flesh - All outward sin. And of the spirit - All inward. Yet let us not rest in negative religion, but perfect holiness - Carrying it to the height in all its branches, and enduring to the end in the loving fear of God, the sure foundation of all holiness.”
John Wesley · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)evangelical
2 Corinthians 7:2-4
Make room for us in your hearts: renews the appeal of 6:11 through 13. Three denials answer charges his rivals had evidently pressed: we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
2 Corinthians 7:2
“Receive us - Χωρησατε ἡμας. This address is variously understood. Receive us into your affections - love us as we love you. Receive us as your apostles and teachers; we have given you full proof that God hath both sent and owned us. Receive, comprehend, what we now say to you, and carefully mark it. We have wronged no man - We have never acted contrary to the strictest justice. We have corrupted no man - With any false doctrine or pernicious opinion. We have defrauded no man - Of any part of his property.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
2 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:2
From all such persons, therefore, it behooves us to keep aloof, but to adhere to those who, as I have already observed, do hold the doctrine of the apostles, and who, together with the order of priesthood, display sound speech and blameless conduct for the confirmation and correction of others. In this way, Moses, to whom such a leadership was entrusted, relying on a good conscience, cleared himself before God, saying, "I have not in covetousness taken anything belonging to one of these men, nor have I done evil to one of them."
Irenaeus · written before 202 · Against Heresies Book IVpatristic
2 Corinthians 7:2
“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).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
we live and die together with you: Adam Clarke reads the verse as correction without reproach, and finds the word Paul recalls at 1:6 to 8, 2:4 and 3:2. Chrysostom calls it the greatest affection, a choice to live and die with people who had treated him with contempt. Some love and still shun danger, he adds.
2 Corinthians 7:3
“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]. Rather, "as though you were ungrateful and treacherous" [BEZA].”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
my joy overflows: Albert Barnes reads the verse as softening the charge of 6:12 that their affection was restrained. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown trace the comfort to the report of Titus in verses 6 and 7. The joy comes before the story that explains it.
2 Corinthians 7:4
“Great is my boldness of speech - He seems to refer to the manner in which he spoke of them to others. Great is my glorying of you - They had probably been very loving and affectionate previously to the time in which they were perverted by their false apostle. He therefore had boasted of them in all the Churches. I am filled with comfort - My affection for you has still the most powerful ascendancy in my soul. Here we may see the affection of the most tender father to his children.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:4
“An he adds it was his great affection to them that made him use such boldness or freedom of speech towards them, and caused him to glory, or make his boast of them, in all places, and upon all occasions, being filled with comfort, and exceedingly joyful in all their tribulations.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
No Rest in Macedonia Until Titus Came
2 Corinthians 7:5-7
our bodies had no rest: The arrival in Macedonia picks up the story broken off at 2:13, where Paul searched for Titus. God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus: the God of all comfort of 1:3 comforts by sending a person.
2 Corinthians 7:5
“Accordingly, when he is going to assign afflictions to the flesh as its especial liability-according to the statement he had already made-he says, "When we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; " then, in order to make the soul a fellow-sufferer with the body, he adds, "We were troubled on every side; without were fightings," which of course warred down the flesh, "within were fears," which afflicted the soul.”
Tertullian · written before 220 · On the Resurrection of the Fleshpatristic
2 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:5
“For when we were come into Macedonia - For the reasons which induced Paul to go into Macedonia; see the notes on 2Co 1:16; compare the notes, 2Co 2:12-13. Our flesh had no rest - We were exceedingly distressed and agitated. We had no rest. The causes of his distress he immediately states. But we were troubled on every side - In every way. We had no rest in any quarter. We were obliged to enter into harassing labors and strifes there, and we were full of anxiety in regard to you.”
2 Corinthians 7:5
“And, besides this, they met with other troubles, with incessant storms of persecutions; 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, lest they should be corrupted or seduced, and give scandal to others, or be scandalized.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
who comforts the downcast: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note that the Greek names God last, after His work, and that the proud cannot receive such comfort. Chrysostom links the arrival to 2:12 and 13, where Paul found no rest at Troas without Titus. God comforted him through a friend.
2 Corinthians 7:6
“Comforted us by the coming of Titus - Who brought him a most satisfactory account of the success of his epistle, and the good state of the Corinthian Church.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:6
“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.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
your longing, your mourning, and your zeal: Albert Barnes thinks Paul had feared for Titus himself, perhaps sick or dead, when they failed to meet at Troas. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown read the mourning as grief over the church's delay in dealing with the sin of 1 Corinthians 5:1. Titus was comforted first.
2 Corinthians 7:7
“And not by his coming only - Not merely by the fact that be was restored to me, and that my anxieties in regard to him were now dissipated. It is evident that Paul, not having met with Titus as he had expected, at Troas, had felt much anxiety on his account, perhaps apprehending that he was sick, or that he had died. But by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you - Titus was satisfied and delighted with his interview with you.”
2 Corinthians 7:8-9
I caused you sorrow by my letter: Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it names again the severe letter of 2:4. Paul rejoices in what the pain produced, because your sorrow led you to repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:8
“I do not repent, though I did repent - Though I had many doubts in my mind concerning the success of my letter; and though I grieved that I was obliged to write with so much severity, the case absolutely requiring it; yet now I am not sorry that I have written that letter, because I find it has completely answered the end for which it was sent.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
your sorrow led you to repentance: Adam Clarke notes that one may sorrow without repenting. Chrysostom turns the last clause around, since silence would have been the real damage, as a man who withholds a merchant's supplies causes his loss. Albert Barnes adds that a preacher takes no pleasure in grief for its own sake.
2 Corinthians 7:9
“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry ... - I have no pleasure in giving pain to anyone, or in witnessing the distress of any. When people are brought to repentance under the preaching of the gospel, the ministers of the gospel do not find pleasure in their grief as such. They are not desirous of making people unhappy by calling them to repentance, and they have no pleasure in the deep distress of mind which is often produced by their preaching, in itself considered.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:9
“He also persuades us that this sadness is useful, which is according to God, not according to the world. 'It is necessary,' he says, 'for you to be saddened unto repentance according to God; for according to God, sadness produces salvation, but sadness according to the world produces death. But also consider from the Old Testament that those who were saddened by bodily works found favor, but those who delighted in the works of this world remained in punishment.' Finally, the Hebrews who groaned in the labors of Egypt obtained the grace of the righteous.”
Ambrose of Milan · written before 397 · On Paradise 15.76patristic
Godly Sorrow Works Repentance; Worldly Sorrow Works Death
Godly sorrow brings repentance: Godly sorrow is lype kata theon, sorrow according to God, and each sorrow is known by where it leads. One brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, and worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For godly sorrow - That which has the breach of God’s holy law for its object. Worketh repentance - A thorough change of mind unto salvation, because the person who feels it cannot rest till he finds pardon through the mercy of God. But the sorrow of the world worketh death - Sorrow for lost goods, lost friends, death of relatives, etc., when it is poignant and deep, produces diseases, increases those that already exist, and often leads men to lay desperate hands on themselves.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:10
“The offender had great sorrow, he was in danger of being swallowed up with overmuch sorrow; and the society was greatly sorrowful which before was puffed up: and this sorrow of theirs was after a godly manner, or according to God (as it is in the original), that is, it was according to the will of God, tended to the glory of God, and was wrought by the Spirit of God.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
what this godly sorrow has produced: Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you opens seven effects, each introduced by what. Vindication renders ekdikesis, the righting of a wrong, the church’s zeal to see the offense of chapter 2 set right.
2 Corinthians 7:11
“For behold this self-same thing - For see in your own case the happy effects of godly sorrow. See the effects which it produced; see an illustration of what it is suited to produce. The construction is, “For lo! this very thing, to wit, your sorrowing after a godly manner, wrought carefulness, clearing of yourselves,” etc. The object of Paul is to illustrate the effects of godly sorrow, to which he had referred in 2Co 7:10. He appeals, therefore, to their own case, and says that it was beautifully illustrated among themselves. What carefulness - (σπουδήν spoudēn).”
2 more voices on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:11
“It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter and his instruments; it wrought fear, a fear of reverence, a fear of watchfulness, and a fear of distrust, not a distrust of God, but of themselves; an awful fear of God, a cautious fear of sin, and a jealous fear of themselves.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
2 Corinthians 7:11
“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.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
2 Corinthians 7:12-13
even though I wrote to you: Paul names the purpose of the severe letter apart from the parties of 2:5 through 11. He wrote so that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 7:12
“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." But some of the oldest manuscripts and versions (including the Vulgate and old Italian) support English Version.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:12
“Not for his cause that had done the wrong - viz. the incestuous person. Nor for his cause that suffered wrong - Some think the apostle means himself; others, that he means the Church at Corinth, the singular being put for the plural; others, the family of the incestuous person; and others, the father of the incestuous person.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
his spirit has been refreshed by all of you: Chrysostom calls the growth of disciples the life and comfort of a teacher, since loving after begetting is what makes a father. Adam Clarke reads their kindness to Titus as proof of their affection for Paul. Joy passes from one to another.
2 Corinthians 7:13
“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. (compare 2Co 7:7).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:13
“Therefore we were comforted in your comfort - The phrase “your comfort,” here seems to mean the happiness which they had, or might reasonably be expected to have in obeying the directions of Paul, and in the repentance which they had manifested. Paul had spoken of no other consolation or comfort than this; and the idea seems to be that they were a happy people, and would be happy by obeying the commands of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:14-16
I was not embarrassed: Paul had boasted of the Corinthians to Titus, and now our boasting to Titus has proved to be true as well. Titus recalls how you welcomed him with fear and trembling, the seriousness they gave his visit.
2 Corinthians 7:14
“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 . . . is found a truth--As our speaking in general to you was true (2Co 1:18), so our particular boasting to Titus concerning you is now, by his report, proved to be truth (compare 2Co 9:2).”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:14
“For if I have boasted - The apostle had given Titus a very high character of this Church, and of their attachment to himself; and doubtless this was the case previously to the evil teacher getting among them, who had succeeded in changing their conduct, and changing in a great measure their character also; but now they return to themselves, resume their lost ground, so that the good character which the apostle gave them before, and which they had for a time forfeited, is now as applicable to them as ever.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
with fear and trembling: Albert Barnes reads fear and trembling as a fear of offending and a dread of remaining in sin. Matthew Henry notes how joy spreads after repentance to Paul, Titus and the church, as there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Titus loved what he saw.
2 Corinthians 7:15
“And his inward affection ... - He has become deeply and tenderly attached to you. His affectionate regard for you has been greatly increased by his visit. On the meaning of the word here rendered “inward affection” (σπλάγχια splangchia, Margin, bowels) see the note on 2Co 6:12. It denotes here: deep, tender attachment, or love. How with fear and trembling ye received him - With fear of offending, and with deep apprehension of the consequences of remaining in sin.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:15
“Note, Great comfort and joy follow upon godly sorrow. As sin occasions general grief, so repentance and reformation occasion general joy. Paul was glad, and Titus was glad, and the Corinthians were comforted, and the penitent ought to be comforted; and well may all this joy be on earth, when there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.”
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
complete confidence in you: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown render the verse as good courage in everything, set against Paul's former doubts. Albert Barnes, following Doddridge, sees the praise preparing the way for the collection for Jerusalem in the next chapter. The relief is complete.
2 Corinthians 7:16
“Paul is glad not only because of their good resolve but because of the good actions by which they were correcting their former sinful practices. This is why he has perfect confidence in them.”
Ambrosiaster · written before 384 · Commentary on Paul's Epistlespatristic
1 more voice on this verse
2 Corinthians 7:16
“I have confidence in you, in all things - It appears that the apostle was now fully persuaded, from the accounts given by Titus, that every scandal had been put away from this Church; that the faction which had long distracted and divided them was nearly broken; that all was on the eve of being restored to its primitive purity and excellence; and that their character was now so firmly fixed, that there was no reason to apprehend that they should be again tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.”
Adam Clarke · Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
How this psalm is built
The form: An apology for his letter, made once the sin had been corrected and he could treat them tenderly, as Chrysostom classes it.
The patterns in this chapter
| Device | What it does | Where to see it |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort and joy | Words of comfort and encouragement stand six times, at verses 4, 6, 7 and 13, and joy or rejoicing five times, at verses 4, 7, 9, 13 and 16. The comfort passes along a chain: God comforts Paul by Titus, and Titus has been comforted by the Corinthians. Matthew Henry notes that as sin brings general grief, so repentance brings general joy, to Paul, to Titus and to the church.Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 2 Corinthians 7:15. | 2 Corinthians 7:4, 2 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:13 |
| Two kinds of sorrow | The word sorrow stands eight times in verses 8 to 11. Verse 10 sets godly sorrow, which brings repentance that leads to salvation, against worldly sorrow, which brings death. The site's published exposition of verse 10 notes that the two can look alike from outside and are told apart by their fruit.This site's published exposition of 2 Corinthians 7:10, The exposition_notes row on 2 Corinthians 7:10, citing Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, and Charles Spurgeon, My Grace Is Sufficient (and the 2 Corinthians sermons). | 2 Corinthians 7:8, 2 Corinthians 7:9, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 2 Corinthians 7:11 |
| Seven marks of godly sorrow | Verse 11 repeats the word what before seven results: earnestness, eagerness to clear themselves, indignation, alarm, longing, zeal and vindication. Chrysostom reads the items as pointed in different directions, the clearing toward Paul and the indignation against the one who had sinned. The list turns a doctrine into a record of what happened in one church.John Chrysostom, Homily 15 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 7:11. | 2 Corinthians 7:11 |
| Regret and no regret | Verse 8 says Paul does not regret the letter though he did regret it, and verse 10 speaks of a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note that the Greek words for regret and for repent are distinct. Paul's own changing feelings sit beside a repentance that leaves nothing to regret.Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, on 2 Corinthians 7:8. | 2 Corinthians 7:8, 2 Corinthians 7:10 |
How the chapter is built
5 more paragraphs on the patterns
Verse 1 draws the conclusion of 6:14 to 18. Verses 2 to 4 ask the Corinthians to make room for Paul and declare his pride in them. Verses 5 to 7 tell of Paul's trouble in Macedonia and the arrival of Titus. Verses 8 to 13a explain the letter and the godly sorrow it produced. Verses 13b to 16 turn to the joy of Titus and end on Paul's complete confidence in the church.
Where it stands in the letter
Verse 2 takes up the plea of 6:13, and verse 5 resumes the story of Paul's travels that 2:13 broke off. The chapter ends the long defence of Paul's ministry on a note of restored trust. Albert Barnes, following Doddridge, reads verse 16 as preparing the way for the collection for Jerusalem in chapter 8 (Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869), on 2 Corinthians 7:16).
The debated reading: which letter and which wrong
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown take the letter of verse 8 to be 1 Corinthians (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, on 2 Corinthians 7:8), and Albert Barnes reads it the same way (Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869), on 2 Corinthians 7:8). Chrysostom sets it beside the letter of 2:4, written out of much affliction and anguish of heart (Homily 15 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 7:8), and the site's published exposition of verses 8 and 9 calls it the severe letter named at 2:4. On verse 12, Albert Barnes takes the one who did wrong to be the man of 1 Corinthians 5:1 (on 2 Corinthians 7:12). Adam Clarke records four readings of the one who was harmed: Paul himself, the church at Corinth, the family of the offender, or his father (Commentary on the Bible, on 2 Corinthians 7:12).
Keep studying
People and groups1
Words12
Subjects1
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
Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869), on 2 Corinthians 7:16; John Chrysostom, Homily 15 on 2 Corinthians, on 2 Corinthians 7:8 and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible, on 2 Corinthians 7:1 to 4.
The exposition
Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Charles Spurgeon, My Grace Is Sufficient (and the 2 Corinthians sermons); Frederic Godet, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.