afforded them to glorify his name. As sorrotcful, yet always rejoicing. This again may mean, ' Looked upon ag sorrowful, yet in fact always rejoicing;' or, 'Although overwhelmed with sorrow, yet full of joy.' The latter interpretation is to be preferred. This is one of the paradoxes of Christian expe- rience. The believer has more true joy in sorrow^ than the world can ever afford. The sense of the love of God, assur- ance of his support, confidence in future blessedness, and the persuasion that his present light afflictions shall work out for him a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory, mingle with his sorrow^s, and give the suffering child of God a peace which passes all understanding. He would not ex- change his lot with that of the most i3rosperous of the children of this world. As poor ^ yet making many rich. Poor in this world's goods, yet imparting to many the true riches ; as hav- ing nothing., i. e. of earthly treasure, yet possessing all things^ in the sense in w^hich in 1 Cor. 3, 21, he tells the Corinthians, " All things are yours." The real property in any thing vests in him for whose benefit it is held and used. And as all things, whether the world, or life or death, or things present or things to come, are held and disposed by God for the bene- fit of his people, for their present good and future glory, they are the real proprietors of all things. Being joint heirs with Christ, Rom. 8, 17, they possess all things.
11. O (ye) Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
This and the two following verses are an epilogue to the preceding vindication of himself, and an introduction to the following exhortations. 0 Corinthians. This direct address is unusual with the apostle, and is expressive of strong feeling. Gal. 3, 1. Our mouth is open (uvewye, 2 perfect, as present and intransitive, see John 1, 52.) To open the mouth is a common scriptural expression, meaning to begin to speak, or, to speak, as in Matt. 5, 2. Acts 8, 32. 35. Here, as the con- text shows, it is used em])hatically, and means, to speak freely and openly. Compare Eph. 6, 19. Our heart is enlarged. See 1 Kings 4, 29. Ps. 119, 32. Is. GO, 5. Any joyful, gener- ous feeling is said to enlarge the heart. A large-hearted man is one of generous and warm affections. The apostle Jiad poured out his heart to the Corinthians. He has spoken with the utmost freedom and openness, and in doing so liis heart