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PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible — II Corinthians

Gill, John, 1697-1771 · 117,903 words · 171 reading sections

SECTION 121

2 Corinthians 9:1

2 Corinthians 9:1 INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 9 The apostle proceeds in this chapter upon the same subject, the making a collection for the poor saints; gives the reason why he sent the brethren to them on this account; directs to the manner in which this service should be performed, and subjoins some fresh argumen…

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SECTION 122

2 Corinthians 9:2

2 Corinthians 9:2 Ver. 2. For I know the forwardness of your mind,.... How that they were willing of themselves to engage in this good work; how readily they came into it; what a cheerful disposition of mind they showed towards it; and how forward they were to begin the collection: for which I boast of you to them of…

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SECTION 123

2 Corinthians 9:3

2 Corinthians 9:3 Ver. 3. Yet have I sent the brethren,.... Titus, and the other two mentioned in the foregoing chapter: one manuscript reads, "we have sent"; and the Ethiopic version, "they have sent", that is, the Macedonians; but the common reading is best. It might be objected, that since the apostle knew the forw…

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SECTION 124

2 Corinthians 9:4

2 Corinthians 9:4 Ver. 4. Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me,.... The apostle had determined to come himself, though he was afterwards prevented by Providence, but could not be certain of the coming of the Macedonian brethren with him; however, as it was probable that some of them would come, whose hearts we…

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SECTION 125

2 Corinthians 9:5

2 Corinthians 9:5 Ver. 5. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren,.... Titus, and the other two, on whom he did not lay his commands, or apostolical injunctions, according to the authority and dignity of his office; only exhorted or besought them, and which was judged by him very needful and proper at …

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SECTION 126

2 Corinthians 9:6

2 Corinthians 9:6 Ver. 6. But this I say,.... This the apostle would have the Corinthians take notice of, and well consider, it being what he could aver for truth, by observation and experience; that as in things natural, so in things of a moral and spiritual kind, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly,…

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SECTION 127

2 Corinthians 9:7

2 Corinthians 9:7 Ver. 7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,.... Which is not to be understood of the quantity, or any set sum he has fixed upon in his mind to give; but of the quality or nature of giving; or of the manner in which he is to give: so let him give; of his own will and free choice, from h…

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SECTION 128

2 Corinthians 9:8

2 Corinthians 9:8 Ver. 8. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you,.... By "all grace" is meant, not the love and favour of God, the source of all blessings enjoyed in time and eternity; nor the blessings of grace, the fruits of it; nor the Gospel which reveals them; nor the various graces of the Spirit im…

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SECTION 129

2 Corinthians 9:9

2 Corinthians 9:9 Ver. 9. As it is written,.... In Ps 112:9 where it is said of the good and righteous man, he hath dispersed hynwmm, "his riches", his substance, as the Chaldee paraphrase adds by way of explanation; not in a profuse extravagant manner, but with wisdom and prudence, and yet largely and liberally, acc…

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SECTION 130

2 Corinthians 9:10

2 Corinthians 9:10 Ver. 10. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, and bread for your food,.... For so the words ought to be pointed and read, as is clear from Isa 55:10 to which they refer; and are a "periphrasis" of God, who so blesses the seed that is cast into the earth, that it brings forth such an increase, …

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SECTION 131

2 Corinthians 10:1

2 Corinthians 10:1 INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 10 In this chapter the apostle has chiefly to do with the false teachers, and it is taken up in refuting their calumnies of him, and in exposing their boasting of themselves; and as he goes along, he takes notice of the efficacy of the Gospel, and of the success and ex…

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SECTION 132

2 Corinthians 10:2

2 Corinthians 10:2 Ver. 2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present,.... That is, he entreated them that they would so behave for the future, that he might have no occasion, when he came among them, to use that power and authority they called boldness, which he had received from Christ for edificati…

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SECTION 133

2 Corinthians 10:3

2 Corinthians 10:3 Ver. 3. For though we walk in the flesh,.... The apostle removes the calumny of walking after the flesh, by owning that they were in the flesh, in the body, in a state of imperfection, attended with many weaknesses and infirmities, and surrounded with a variety of afflictions and sorrows; in this se…

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SECTION 134

2 Corinthians 10:4

2 Corinthians 10:4 Ver. 4. For the weapons of our warfare,.... By "warfare" is here meant, not that which is common to all believers, who are enlisted as volunteers under the captain of their salvation, and fight his battles, and are more than conquerors through him; but what is peculiar to the ministers of the Gospel…

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SECTION 135

2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Corinthians 10:5 Ver. 5. Casting down imaginations,.... Or "reasonings"; the carnal reasonings of the minds of natural men against God, his providences and purposes, against Christ, and the methods of salvation, and every truth of the Gospel; which are all disproved, silenced, and confounded, by the preaching of the…

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SECTION 136

2 Corinthians 10:6

2 Corinthians 10:6 Ver. 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience,.... Not with the temporal sword, as the civil magistrate, but with the spiritual one; meaning either censures and excommunication, which a faithful minister of the Gospel, with the suffrage of the church, has at hand, and a power to make…

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SECTION 137

2 Corinthians 10:7

2 Corinthians 10:7 Ver. 7. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance,.... Or "look upon things", ironically said; or "ye do look on things", a reproof for making judgment of persons and things, by the outward appearance of them; so many judged of Paul by the meanness of his person, the weakness of his body, th…

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SECTION 138

2 Corinthians 10:8

2 Corinthians 10:8 Ver. 8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority,.... Than as yet he had done, or used to do; or rather the sense is, should he boast of a greater authority than the false apostles, or even than the true ministers of the Gospel in common had, he should not exceed the bounds of truth …

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SECTION 139

2 Corinthians 10:9

2 Corinthians 10:9 Ver. 9. That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. Here seems to be something wanting, which is to be supplied, The sense is, though I might lawfully boast of the superior authority which we apostles have above other persons, in using sharpness with men insolent and hardened in sin; y…

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SECTION 140

2 Corinthians 10:10

2 Corinthians 10:10 Ver. 10. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful,.... These words contain the reason why he did not choose to say any more of his authority as an apostle to punish offenders, that he might give no occasion for such a calumny, some among them, or the false apostles, had cast upon him; th…

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SECTION 141

2 Corinthians 10:11

2 Corinthians 10:11 Ver. 11. Let such an one think this,.... The apostle seems to have in view some one particular person, though he does not choose to name him, who had more especially reproached him after this manner; and who was either one of the members of this church, or rather one of the false apostles: and so i…

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SECTION 142

2 Corinthians 10:12

2 Corinthians 10:12 Ver. 12. For we dare not make ourselves of the number,.... Some understand this as spoken ironically, as if the apostle jeeringly should say, he would not pretend to join, or put himself upon a level, who was a poor, little, mean, despicable person, with such great men as the false apostles were, m…

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SECTION 143

2 Corinthians 10:13

2 Corinthians 10:13 Ver. 13. But we will not boast of things without our measure,.... Or things unmeasurable; meaning not doctrines, the knowledge of which they had not attained to, and which were not to be measured by reason or revelation, such as the Gnostics boasted of; but the sense is, that they would not glory i…

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SECTION 144

2 Corinthians 10:14

2 Corinthians 10:14 Ver. 14. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure,.... They did not go beyond the bounds set them by the purpose and providence of God, by going to Corinth; nor did they boast of things without their measure, when they spoke of their labours, and of the success of their ministrations among t…

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SECTION 145

2 Corinthians 11:1

2 Corinthians 11:1 INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 11 In this chapter, the apostle continues his discourse concerning the false teachers; blames the Corinthians for their connivance at them, and subjection to them; gives a true and ample description of them; compares himself with them, and by various instances shows, t…

1,524 words
SECTION 146

2 Corinthians 11:2

2 Corinthians 11:2 Ver. 2. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy,.... He lets them know it was not so much on his own account, or at all with any selfish views, or for any secular interest of his own, that he was so concerned, but it was "a godly jealousy", or a "zeal of God"; which he was inspired with by God…

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SECTION 147

2 Corinthians 11:3

2 Corinthians 11:3 Ver. 3. But I fear lest by any means,.... Jealousy is always attended with fear, care, and solicitude, whether in things natural or spiritual. The apostle, as things were in this church, could not but express his fears, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety; that is, the old serpent…

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SECTION 148

2 Corinthians 11:4

2 Corinthians 11:4 Ver. 4. For if he that cometh,.... Meaning either some particular man, the apostle might have had some information of, who came from Judea to Corinth, under the character of a true apostle; or anyone of the false apostles whatever, who came of their own accord, and was never sent by Christ, or by an…

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SECTION 149

2 Corinthians 11:5

2 Corinthians 11:5 Ver. 5. For I suppose I was not a whit behind,.... This is very modestly expressed by the apostle; for he does not assert, and in a haughty and confident way affirm, but only supposes, or thinks that this might be admitted, that he was not inferior to, or did not come short of, in gifts, grace, and …

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SECTION 150

2 Corinthians 11:6

2 Corinthians 11:6 Ver. 6. But though I be rude in speech,.... Which might be objected to him, setting himself upon a level with men so famous for their diction, and elegance of style; and to this he answers, not by owning he was so, but granting it to be so; for the Apostle Paul was not an unlearned man, an idiot in …

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SECTION 151

2 Corinthians 11:7

2 Corinthians 11:7 Ver. 7. Have I committed an offence in abasing myself,.... Either by behaving among them, when he was first with them, in a very modest and humble manner, in much fear and trembling, without pride and haughtiness, or affectation of power and authority over them; or by using a popular style, suited t…

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SECTION 152

2 Corinthians 11:8

2 Corinthians 11:8 Ver. 8. I robbed other churches,.... Meaning the churches of Macedonia; not that what he had of them was by force and rapine, or by plundering of them, and spoiling of their substance, and living upon them against their wills, as soldiers use a conquered people, though the allusion is to such a cust…

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SECTION 153

2 Corinthians 11:9

2 Corinthians 11:9 Ver. 9. And when I was present with you, and wanted,.... Whilst he was among them, preaching the Gospel to them, he wanted the common necessaries of life: and yet, says he, I was chargeable to no man, or "benumbed no man"; a metaphor, as some think, taken from the torpedo, or cramp fish; which is o…

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SECTION 154

2 Corinthians 12:1

2 Corinthians 12:1 INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORTHINIANS 12 The apostle in this chapter proceeds upon the same subject, in vindicating himself against the false teachers, and giving proof of his apostleship; he takes notice of a very remarkable and unusual vision he was favoured with; makes mention of an uncommon temptation …

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SECTION 155

2 Corinthians 12:2

2 Corinthians 12:2 Ver. 2. I knew a man in Christ about fourteen years ago,.... Which is to be understood of himself, as appears from 2Co 12:7, where he speaks in the first person; and the reason why he here speaks in the third, is to show his modesty and humility, and how much he declined vain glory and popular appla…

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SECTION 156

2 Corinthians 12:3

2 Corinthians 12:3 Ver. 3. And I knew such a man,.... The same man, namely himself, is here designed, and the same rapture spoken of, and the condition he was in expressed in the same words: which repetition is made for the more strong affirmation of what he delivered, and to signify the marvellousness of this vision,…

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SECTION 157

2 Corinthians 12:4

2 Corinthians 12:4 Ver. 4. How that he was caught up into paradise,.... Not the earthly paradise in which our first parents were; this was destroyed by the flood, and the place where it was not now to be known; and to what purpose the apostle should be carried thither cannot be guessed at; though some have thought tha…

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SECTION 158

2 Corinthians 12:5

2 Corinthians 12:5 Ver. 5. Of such an one will I glory,.... The apostle in great modesty seems to speak of some other person, and not himself, as caught up into the third heaven, when he yet means himself; and does as it were distinguish himself from himself; himself in paradise from himself on earth; his sense is, th…

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SECTION 159

2 Corinthians 12:6

2 Corinthians 12:6 Ver. 6. For though I would desire to glory,..... Had a mind to it, chose it, and was fond of it, thought fit to proceed in this way concerning this vision, or this with many others: I shall not be a fool; in reality; though he might seem and be thought to be so by others; he does indeed before call…

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SECTION 160

2 Corinthians 12:7

2 Corinthians 12:7 Ver. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure,.... Over much elated in his mind, and swelled with a vain conceit of himself: through the abundance of the revelations; for he had not only one or two, or a few, but an abundance of them; and which, as everything does but grace, tended to lift up …

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SECTION 161

2 Corinthians 13:1

2 Corinthians 13:1 INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORTHINIANS 13 In this chapter the apostle continues his resolution to come to the Corinthians, and to threaten with severity the incorrigible among them, giving the reasons of it; prays to God that they might so behave, that there might be no occasion for the exercise of it; and …

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SECTION 162

2 Corinthians 13:2

2 Corinthians 13:2 Ver. 2. I told you before, and foretell you as if I were present a second time,.... He means, that he had in his former epistle faithfully told them of their evils, and admonished them for them; and now he sends to them a second time before his coming, and again admonishes them, as if he was upon th…

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SECTION 163

2 Corinthians 13:3

2 Corinthians 13:3 Ver. 3. Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me,.... This is the reason why he was determined, that should he come among them, he would not spare them, because they called in question his apostleship, and demanded a proof of it; which, of all men, they had the least reason to do; for they the…

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SECTION 164

2 Corinthians 13:4

2 Corinthians 13:4 Ver. 4. For though he was crucified through weakness,.... Of the human nature; for the nature which Christ assumed was in all things like to ours, excepting sin; it was subject to all sinless infirmities; it was mortal, passible, liable to sufferings, and death, and so he came to be crucified; thoug…

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SECTION 165

2 Corinthians 13:5

2 Corinthians 13:5 Ver. 5. Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith,.... These words are to be considered in connection with 2Co 13:3 for seeing they sought and demanded a proof the voice and power of Christ in the apostle, he directs them to self examination, to look within themselves, to try, prove, and recogni…

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SECTION 166

2 Corinthians 13:6

2 Corinthians 13:6 Ver. 6. But I trust that ye shall know,.... Whether they were reprobates or not, the apostle would not pretend to say; that he left to themselves, and of which they were capable of making judgment for themselves: however, he hoped and believed, that he and his fellow apostles would give such proof o…

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SECTION 167

2 Corinthians 13:7

2 Corinthians 13:7 Ver. 7. Now l pray to God,.... A strong mark of the apostle's affection for them. For though they used him so ill, he took every way and method to do them good; he not only wrote to them, sent the brethren to them, but put up his supplications at the throne of grace for them: The Alexandrian copy, t…

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SECTION 168

2 Corinthians 13:8

2 Corinthians 13:8 Ver. 8. For we can do nothing against the truth,.... The apostles had no power, nor could they, nor did they desire to exercise any against such who received the truth of the Gospel in the love of it; who continued in it, walked in it, and held it fast; who worshipped God in Spirit and in truth, and…

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SECTION 169

2 Corinthians 13:9

2 Corinthians 13:9 Ver. 9. For we are glad when we are weak,.... Appear to be so, look like persons disarmed of all power and authority; the apostles rejoiced when they had no occasion of exerting themselves, and of exercising that high office, and extraordinary commission they had received of Christ Jesus: and ye ar…

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SECTION 170

2 Corinthians 13:10

2 Corinthians 13:10 Ver. 10. Therefore I write these things being absent,.... Assuring them of his power and authority, expressing his concern for their welfare, earnestly desiring that they might be kept from evil, and perform good works; and that they might be in a more honourable, orderly, and comfortable situation…

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SECTION 171

2 Corinthians 13:11

2 Corinthians 13:11 Ver. 11. Finally, brethren, farewell,.... Or "rejoice", with spiritual joy in Christ, their Saviour and Redeemer; in his person, in whom they were accepted; in his righteousness, by which they were justified; in his blood, by which they were washed and cleansed; and in his fulness, from which they …

1,269 words
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Source & rights

Public domain; John Gill (1697–1771). Source item is marked Public Domain on Internet Archive.

Project Gutenberg source record →

Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.