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2
Corinthians Chapter Seven
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Minister Who is
Comforted by Believers
A. Who exhorts believers to seek sanctification
---- this is the greatest consolation of the minister (v.1);
B. Who has great boasting on believers’ behalf
and is filled with comfort (v.2-4);
C. Who is comforted by his fellow worker’s
consolation from believers (v.5-7);
D. Who is comforted by believers’ sorrow in a
godly manner (v.8-11);
E. Who is comforted by the conditions of the
fellow workers and believers (v.12-16);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
2Cor. 7:1 “Therefore, having these
promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
YLT: “Having, then, these promises, beloved, may we cleanse
ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification
in the fear of God;”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore, beloved”, it indicates that
this verse is the conclusion of the exhortation from verse fourteen to eighteen
in chapter six.
“Having these promises”, here promise is the promise that is mentioned in
the previous chapter that if we are separated, God will be our Father and we
will be His children (2Cor. 6:14-18).
“Let us cleanse ourselves”, the active voice shows that believers are
voluntarily willing to be so and practice what one preaches.
“From all filthiness of the flesh and spirit”, “cleanse” means removing filthiness.
Filthiness in body means sinning against one’s body, e.g. (see 1Cor. 6:18). The
filthiness of the spirit refers to touching unclean things in spirit e.g.
idolatry (see Acts 15:20).
“In the fear of God”, it means that one dares not touch things that
may provoke the wrath of God, especially the unclean things (see 6:17).
“Perfecting holiness”: be separated from everything that is outside of
God, so it is also called “separation”. When the whole men of we believers ----
the spirit, the soul and the body ---- will be preserved blameless, that is
sanctification (see 1Thess. 5:23) ---- the highest situation of being
reconciled to God.
When a believer has been saved, he has been
sanctified on the objective position through the redemption of Jesus Christ
(see Heb. 10:10). Therefore, though believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God has promised in the previous chapter
that as long as we have been separated from the world, He will have the real
father-son fellowship. What glorious promise! Therefore, we shall get rid of
the whole filthiness of us so as to be sanctified and be worthy of this
promise.
2) “Having these promises”, it shows that God’s promises in the Old
Testament to the people of
3) Believers should take the responsibility for
their sanctification in life instead of shifting it totally to God. We shall
answer God’s calling of sanctification and “cleanse ourselves” so that the holy
life and power of God will work in us.
4) However, “cleansing oneself” is not monkish
self-torture or “removal of the sin” nor keeping the outside customs or
apparent godly fashion, but the natural manifestation in life out of the
cooperation with God.
5) Believers who live in the flesh and in the
world may easily be defiled tangibly or intangibly, so we shall cleanse
ourselves from all
filthiness, just like that the
Lord Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (see John 13:4-10) ---- that is
removing the filthiness of them when they walking in the world. We shall also
draw the water of life to wash one another (see Eph. 5:26).
6) The filthiness of one’s body is
“unrighteousness”. The filthiness of one’s spirit is “ungodliness” (see
7) Whether we can be sanctified is depended on
whether we fear God. “The fear of God” is the prerequisite condition of our
sanctification. If we have no fear of God, we cannot be sanctified.
8) God is holy. The more we draw near Him, the
more we will feel our filthiness. The more we serve Him, the more we will fear
we serve God in ourselves. The fear of God is that one fears that we serve God
in ourselves. The most precious heart of man before God is a fearing heart.
9) Our deeds should be worthy our position, as
it becomes saints (see Eph. 5:2-3). Our “works” should be worthy of our
“position” so as to be sanctified.
10) “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God”,
believers should remove what is filthy and seek to be godly and thus be
perfected in the fear of God and experience the sanctified life in daily life.
2Cor. 7:2 “Open your hearts to us. We
have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.”
YLT: “receive us; no one did we wrong; no one did we waste;
no one did we defraud;”
Meaning of Words: “open”: make room, be room to, have place;
“wrong”: be unjust, be an offender, do wrong; “corrupt”: defile, destroy;
Literal
Meaning: “open your hearts to us”. It just follows the
verse eleven to thirteen in chapter six. Between both of them, there is another
paragraph (6:14-7:1) of exhorting of sanctification. The apostle Paul expresses
his earnest concern for believers in
“We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have
cheated no one.” “Wrong”: unjust
treatment; own to someone morally; “corrupt”: induce or cause one corrupted
morally and destroy his life. “Cheated”: harm others to
benefit oneself, especially covet for treasure of others (see 12:17-18);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If our hearts are often occupied by many
things in the world, we will have no room for the Lord or brothers or sisters.
No wonder that there is much indifference in the church.
2) The servant of God who labors in word and
teaching is esteemed worthy of double honor (see 1Tim. 5:17). And we will leave
room for them in our hearts.
3) A preacher has three “no”s: wrong no one,
corrupt no one, and cheat no one.
2Cor. 7:3 “I do not say this to
condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and
to live together.”
YLT: “not to condemn you do I say , for I have said before that
in our hearts ye are to die with and to live with;”
Literal
Meaning: “I do not say this to
condemn”, “say this”, it indicates that the three “no”s in the
previous verse suggested that someone might slander Paul among believers in
“For I have said before that you are in our hearts”, the true concern for
them;
“To die together and to live together”, it means that Paul hopes all of them shall
have the same “dying” and “life” together, e.g. 1) always bearing about in the
body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our
body (see 4:10); 2) to die with Christ and to live with Christ (see Rom. 6:5,
8); 3) to die to sin and to live to Christ (see Rom6:11); 4) die in sin and
live in righteousness (1Pet. 2:24).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The secret of shepherding, taking care of
and perfecting the saints does not lie in knowledge or skills, but in
solicitude. The workers of the Lord may give many teachings in the church and
fulfill many works. However, how much have they loved on earth? How much have
they been concerned about believers?
2) The parents who have poor knowledge may
cultivate successful children. And yet parents who are higher intellectuals may
develop the black sheep of the society. The most possible reason is the lack of
love.
2Cor. 7:4 “Great is my boldness of
speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with
comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.”
YLT: “great my freedom of speech unto you, great my glory on
your behalf; I have been filled with the comfort, I overabound with the joy on
all our tribulation,”
Meaning of Words: “great”: largely, abundant; “boldness”: all out-spokenness, frankness; “boast”:
glory, rejoice; “be filled with”: be abundant; “exceedingly”: super-abound,
abound much more;
Literal
Meaning: “great is my boldness of
speech toward you”, it indicates that Paul is confident that they will
joyfully receive him “our
heart is expanded” ---- be frank (see
6:11).
“Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with
comfort”. “Comfort”: it is “the comfort” in the original,
which refers to the comfort brought by Titus (see v.6) ---- believers accepted
the exhortation of Paul in that epistle and then repented.
“I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” “Exceedingly”: overflow as the flood; “joyful”: it is “the joy”
in the original, which refers to the joy brought by Titus (see v.7).
The meaning of the words “great”, “be filled
with” and “exceedingly” are quiet near, showing that Paul was much exulted at
that time.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Even though Paul at
that time was faced with tribulations and conflicts outside and fears and weariness inside (see v.5), his spirit was still filled with
“exceeding” joy. He is really a man that has transcended the environment and
lives in the heavens.
2)
“I am exceedingly joyful in
all our tribulation.” The more serious
troubles unbelievers meet, the more grievous they will be. However, Christians
are different. The more they are in tribulations, the more they will be joyful.
Since the Lord abides in us, He can make us full of joy in tribulations. What
amazing grace!
3)
He who does not know
heavenly comfort or joy but only pays attention to reward and coziness is
unworthy of the minister of God.
4)
Though the minister
of the Lord is often faced with tribulations, the comfort and joy they
experience are exceedingly abundant. Though they live on the earth, they often
enjoy the heavenly comfort and joy.
2Cor. 7:5 “For indeed, when we came to
YLT: “for also we, having come to
Meaning of Words: “rest”: relief, easiness; “on every side”: in every way, all;
Literal
Meaning: “for indeed, when we came to
“Our bodies had no rest”,
“body” here refers to the physical and mental body, namely, the outward man
(see 4:16). If one’s inside is disturbed, his physical body will also be of no
rest.
“But we were troubled on
every side”. It is not declared in the Scriptures that what troubles they
suffered in
“Outside were conflicts,
inside were fears.” “Conflicts”: spiritual conflicts, especially towards
the heathens or false teachers used by Satan. “Fear”: be worried about the
safety of Titus in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) One’s mood often influences his physical
condition. Therefore, it is declared in the Scriptures: “A joyful heart
promotes healing” (Pro. 17:22).
2) The life of Christians on the earth is not
all plain sailing. Troubles are unavoidable (see John 16:33). The real problem
is how the trouble is caused and how we shall deal with the trouble. The
example of Paul tells that his was troubled on account of serving God and
building the church and he was also released by the comfort of God and the
church (see v.6-7).
2Cor. 7:6 “Nevertheless God, who
comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,”
YLT: “but He who is comforting the cast-down -- God -- He did
comfort us in the presence of Titus;”
Meaning of Words: “downcast”: lowly, depressed;
“come”: presence; “comfort”: encourage;
Literal
Meaning: “nevertheless God, who
comforts the downcast”, “the
downcast”: be depressed
because of the burden in the environment; this verse indicates that even though
Paul was so strong, he might also be downcast sometimes.
“Comforted us by the coming of Titus”, it shows that Titus has brought good news
about believers in
2Cor. 7:7 “and not only by his coming,
but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us
of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced
even more.”
YLT: “and not only in his presence, but also in the comfort
with which he was comforted over you, declaring to us your longing desire, your
lamentation, your zeal for me, so that the more I did rejoice,”
Meaning of Words: “consolation”:
comfort, encouragement; “desire”: longing for; “zeal”: fervent mind;
Literal
Meaning: “and not only by his coming,
but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you”, it shows that Paul
has got double consolation: 1) Titus returned in peace; 2) Titus brought good
news from believers in
“When he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning,
your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more”, it declares the three aspects of the good news
brought back by Titus: 1) earnest
desire ---- believers in
Corinth desired to restore the normal relationship with Paul and longed to see
him; 2) your mourning ---- they were sorrowful and grievous for their
offending Paul in the past; 3) your
zeal ---- they had fervent mind in upholding the
service of Paul;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The preachers have two sorts of consolation:
1) be comforted by showing solicitude for believers (see v.6); 2) be comforted
by the solicitude of believers. Therefore, believers should also show solicitude for the ministers of God instead of
receiving comfort from them only.
2) The repentance (see v.11) of believers in
3) How true and earnest of Paul’s fellowship
with the church in
2Cor. 7:8 “For even if I made you
sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I
perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.”
YLT: “because even if I made you sorry in the letter, I do
not repent -- if even I did repent -- for I perceive that the letter, even if
for an hour, did make you sorry.”
Meaning of Words: “sorry”: sorrow, grief; “regret”: repent; “for a while”: an hour;
Literal
Meaning: “for even if I made you sorry
with my letter”, it means that Paul had written a letter with
serious words and many tears to the church in
“I do not regret it; though I did regret it”. After that letter
was sent, Paul had no rest inside, for he did not know the reaction of
believers in
“For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry,
though only for a while”, “I perceive”: know from Titus’s message; “sorry for a while”,
it means that such grief shall produce good end.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The letter of Paul that makes believers in
2) Sometimes, the ministers of the Lord
themselves can not judge the words that they have spoken or written. However,
if it is out of the inspiration and government of the Spirit instead of their
own mind, there will be unexpected effect.
3) Good advice is harsh to the ear. Though
man’s exhortation makes us unhappy, if we humbly receive it, the pain will pass
away soon and will profit us.
2Cor. 7:9 “Now I rejoice, not that you
were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry
in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.”
YLT: “I now do rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that
ye were made sorry to reformation, for ye were made sorry toward God, that in
nothing ye might receive damage from us;”
Meaning of Words: “repentance”:
change of one’s mind; “loss”: experience detriment;
Literal
Meaning: “now I rejoice, not that you
were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance”, if there is “sorry” only but no repentance out
of “sorry”, Paul will not rejoice.
“For you were made sorry in a godly manner”, it indicates that
there are two possibilities of sorrow at least: 1) be sorry in a godly manner;
2) be sorry in a fleshly manner; the former leads to salvation, and the latter
leads to death (see v.10).
“That you might suffer loss from us in nothing”, the key words are “from us”. If there were no “from us”, such loss
would be a general one, which meant that all the benefit God shall give to them
in His will would not decrease. “Suffer loss from us”, it indicates that such loss is relevant to the
apostle Paul ---- believers in Corinth had not treated Paul well in the past
and had failed to received his teachings humbly, if they did not feel sorry in
a godly manner, they would suffer serious loss in spirit.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is commanded in some scriptures that we
Christians should not be troubled (e.g. John 14:1), but here sorrow can even
benefit us. They are not contradicted, for they are different. Christians
should not be troubled in a fleshly or worldly manner, but shall have the
spiritual sorrow in the Lord (see v.10; Ps. 51:17).
2) There is a kind of loss to Christians caused
by our attitudes towards the ministers of the Lord. If we do not treat the
ministers well, perhaps the spiritual blessing that God will give to us through
them will be diminished.
2Cor. 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces
repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the
world produces death.”
YLT: “for the sorrow toward God reformation to salvation not
to be repented of doth work, and the sorrow of the world doth work death,”
Meaning of Words: “not to be regretted”: without repentance; “repentance”: the change of
one’s mind; “the world”: the age; “produce”: yield, work;
Literal
Meaning: “for godly sorrow produces
repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted”, “repentance, not to be regretted”, it means that one has truly regretted and turned
to God and thus has been more deeply reconciled to God. “Salvation”, here it
does not refer to the salvation of the spirit, but the salvation of believers’
souls and bodies through the victory against the flesh, sin, the world and
Satan after believing the Lord (see the commentary of 1:10).
“But the sorrow of the world produces death”. ---- Death includes the physical death
and spiritual death. The worldly sorrow will make men mentally deteriorated and
physically weak and be dead in the end. Moreover, it may also render man
discouraged in spirit and even dead before the Lord (see Rev. 3:1).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If man’s rebuke only makes one “sorrowful”
and yet not be saved, it shows that the rebuke has not brought man to God. Such
rebuke is not out of God, but out of oneself.
2) Peter denied the Lord Jesus, and
3) It is not that he who has enjoyed the divine
grace has no sorrow, but that he should sorrow in a godly manner. His sorrow is
caused by his shortage and deficiency according to the perfect and full will of
God and the standard of Christ. Such sorrow will produce active effect.
However, “the sorrow of the world” is for the earthly profit or for man
himself, and it only “produces
death” and thus makes man
fall into spiritual death. Therefore, whether our sorrow is profitable can be
seen from the result.
4) “The sorrow of the world” is focused on
one’s self and one’s own benefit. And one is sorrowful in vain for his failure
and yet has not turned to God. Such self pitying sorrow has no profit to one’s
spiritual life.
2Cor. 7:11 “For observe this very
thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you,
what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire,
what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in
this matter.”
YLT: “for, lo, this same thing -- your being made sorry
toward God -- how much diligence it doth work in you! but defence, but
displeasure, but fear, but longing desire, but zeal, but revenge; in every
thing ye did approve yourselves to be pure in the matter.”
Meaning of Words: “diligence”: earnestness, forwardness,
eagerness; “clearing”: answer for self, clearing of self, defense;
“indignation”: anger; “fear”: alarm, terror; “vindication”: retribution,
vengeance; “clear”: clean, pure and innocent;
Literal
Meaning: “for observe this very thing,
that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what
clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what
zeal, what vindication”! ---- The seven situations listed here are sorrowing
in a godly manner: it is firstly repentance
not to be
regretted (see v.10) and then
is the seven kinds of fruit.
“Diligence” indicated that believers in
“Clearing”: self defense; according
to the last words of this verse, it seemed that they showed that they had
nothing to do with the attacks upon Paul and had not been concerned in the
affair.
“Indignation”:
be indignant about the affair itself, and those who caused the affair and his
own indifference;
“Fear”, be afraid that one himself will be wrapped up in
the affair and thus be chastened by the apostle (see 1Cor. 4:21).
“Vehement desire”:
miss the apostles earnestly and long for their visitation;
“Zeal”: zeal for dealing with the affairs
and taking disciplinary actions;
“Vindication”:
give punishment to the causer of the affairs;
Among the above-mentioned seven kinds of
results produced by the sorrow in a godly manner ---- “diligence, fear, vehement desire” are relevant to the apostle Paul; “clearing of yourselves, indignation”
are in connection with their sense of shamefulness; “zeal and vindication” have something to do with those who have made the
mistakes;
There are also some Bible exegetes who
explain the seven points as seven great elements of sorrow in a godly manner
---- “diligence”: the comprehensive expression of one’s
mind, emotion and will; “clearing
of oneself”: it refers to one’s repentance in
mind; “indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal”: the repentance in
one’s emotion; “vindication”: the repentance in one’s will. When all of
them are complete, it can be counted as the sorrow that God accepts.
“In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this
matter”, they proved
themselves to be innocent and pure in any aspect.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Sorrow in a godly manner must lead to
positive effect: one is purified inside and has obtained the active attitude of
diligence and zeal, not discouragement or despair or abandonment of oneself. We
can judge whether our sorrows are right by the situations after the sorrows.
2) If we sorrow in a godly manner and deal with
our wrong doings and clear up the unholy things, we will be accepted by God,
for He does not despise the broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:17). Therefore,
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts
4:19).
2Cor. 7:12 “Therefore, although I wrote
to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the
sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God
might appear to you.”
YLT: “If, then, I also wrote to you -- not for his cause who
did wrong, nor for his cause who did suffer wrong, but for our diligence in
your behalf being manifested unto you before God --”
Literal
Meaning: “I did not do it for the
sake of him who had done the wrong”, “him
who had done the wrong”, there are two
explanations for it: 1) it refers to the one who has committed the sexual
immorality (see 1Cor. 5:1); 2) it refers to the brother who opposed and attacked
Paul (see the commentary of 2:5) before all when Paul visited the church in
Corinth for the second time. It is difficult to give a final conclusion that
who it was on earth, for opinions of Bible exegetes differ.
“Nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong”, “him who suffered wrong”, according to the previous explanations,
it refers to the father of the one who has committed the sexual immorality; 2)
Paul himself;
“But that our care for you in the sight of God might appear
to you”, that Paul wrote the
letter was not for the sake of any individual, but for the profit of the whole
church. Through that letter, their hearts unto God would be manifested.
Besides, it also manifested whether they honored or were concerned about the
apostle or his teachings.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When the Lord’s workers are faced with the
abnormal condition in the church, they shall not only deal with it ---- for the sake of him who has done the wrong
or him who
suffers wrong, but also stimulate the love o believers in
the positive aspect ----
“our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you”. The main reason for the abnormal
condition of the church is that all have failed in love.
2) The more the church cares for the servant of
the Lord, the more normal the condition of the church will be. The more the
church is indifferent to the Lord’s servant, the more troubles and difficulties
the church will encounter.
2Cor. 7:13 “Therefore we have been
comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of
Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.”
YLT: “because of this we have been comforted in your comfort,
and more abundantly the more did we rejoice in the joy of Titus, that his
spirit hath been refreshed from you all;”
Meaning of Words: “refresh”: repose, take
ease; “exceedingly more” (they are double adverbs in the original): the first
adverb means abundant or exceedingly; the second one means more or rather;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore we have been
comforted”. “Therefore”: it is based on the above-mentioned
right response of believers in
“And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus,
because his spirit has been refreshed by you all”, “and”: it indicates that they have not only been
comforted but also have got other profits.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Today, many fellow workers in the church
have attacked and depreciated one another so as to life up oneself and be
welcomed and praised by all. Such heart is truly unworthy of the Lord’s worker.
2) The elder fellow worker (Paul) shall learn
to rejoice for the joy of the young fellow worker (Titus) and create a peaceful
working environment and lead the eyes of all the saints from themselves to the
young fellow workers so as to pave the way for the coming succession.
2Cor. 7:14 “For if in anything I have
boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you
in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.”
YLT: “because if anything to him in your behalf I have boasted,
I was not put to shame; but as all things in truth we did speak to you, so also
our boasting before Titus became truth,”
Meaning of Words: “boast”: make boast,
glory, rejoice; “ashamed”: dishonor, disgrace, shame down;
Literal
Meaning: “for if in anything I have
boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed”.
He is not ashamed to boast of believers in
“Even
so our boasting to Titus was found true.” “Be found true”, it does not mean the boasting
was not true and yet became true later, but that the boasting was proved to be
true afterwards.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is inappropriate for the servants of God
to boast more than rebuke in the church and encourage more than criticize.
Positive words are more efficacious that passive words in the building of the
church.
2) Someone says, “If we see others in the
church, we shall see Christ in them. And if we see ourselves, we shall see the
old Adam in ourselves”. Thus, we can more praise others.
2Cor. 7:15 “And his affections are
greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and
trembling you received him.”
YLT: “and his tender affection is more abundantly toward you,
remembering the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye did
receive him;”
Meaning of Words: “obedience”: attentive hearkening, compliance or
submission; “fear”: be afraid, alarm, terror; “trembling”: quaking with fear; “for”: into, toward;
Literal
Meaning: “as he remembers the
obedience of you all”, “obedience”: hearken to the exhortation; Titus went to
“How with fear and trembling you received him.” “Fear”: their inner condition;
“trembling”: their attitude;
“And
his affections are greater for you”,
it means that his affections are more abundant.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In the normal condition, the Lord’s workers
have the spiritual authority, which should be obeyed by all the saints. The
abuse of authority and obstinate disobedience are both marks of abnormal
spiritual conditions.
2) Between the Lord’s workers and believers and
even among believers, they may also be affected by the attitude of others ----
if one treats us well, we will treat him better. If one treats rudely, we will be
indifferent to him. We shall deal with such condition by treating others well.
We’d better not wait for the change of the attitude of others.
3) If you find the affections of the minister or the elder brothers in the church
have not been for us great, possibly, it is because our attitude toward them is
not good enough. It is better to adjust ourselves first than change others.
4) The preachers of the Lord often ask
believers to obey them, and yet seldom care about them or love them.
2Cor. 7:16 “Therefore I rejoice that I
have confidence in you in everything.”
YLT: “I rejoice, therefore, that in everything I have courage
in you.”
Meaning of Words: “confidence”:
exercise courage;
Literal
Meaning: “I have confidence in you in
everything”, it does not say
Paul believes believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In the
First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul provided them with Christ and him
crucified to resolve their problems and change their corrupted conditions. When
he wrote the second book, they had repented well so that the apostle Paul could
say “his
boasting on their behalf is great. And he is filled with comfort (v.4). And he can have confidence in them
in everything”. Oh, what wonderful end! And what bright testimony which proves
the crucified Christ is indeed the answer to all the difficulties of the
church!
2) “Trust” is mostly indispensible to the
relation of the workers with believers in the church. And such trust is being
confident of the Lord in everyone ---- He will keep us to the end (see 2Tim.
1:12).
3) Confidence does not equal to indulgence. He
who has confidence has firstly been confident of the Lord and believes that He
will be responsible to His work to the end. And then, the workers teach and
guide the church according to the confidence of the Lord. And the children of
God trust the guidance of the Lord’s workers whom the Lord uses on account of
confidence.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The
Revival of the Spirit of the Church
A. The foundation of the revival (v.1-6);
1. All the saints shall fear God and seek
sanctification (v.1);
2. There should be a faithful minister (v.2-6);
B. The way of the revival ---- stimulate the
sorrow and repentance according to the will of God (v.7-11);
C. The end of the revival (v.);
1. Stir up the affection (v.12).
2. Bring comfort and joy (v.13, 15);
The Heart that
Believers Are Supposed to Have towards One Another
A. One shall open his heart to others (v.2).
B. One shall keep others in his hearts (v.3).
C. One shall care for others earnestly (v.7,
11-12).
D. One shall have confidence in others in
everything (v.16).
The Key Words of
This Chapter
A. Comfort/ consolation (v.4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 13, 13);
B. Rejoice (v.7, 16); joy (v.13); joyful (v.4);
C. Sorry (v.8, 8, 9, 9 ) sorrow (v. 9, 10, 11);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou