greater now than when he was with them. The recollection of their good conduct warmed his heart towards them. His inward affection^ literally, his bowels, which in the Scriptures is a figurative expression for love, compassion, or any other tender affection. Whilst he rememhereth^ literally, remember- ing^ i. e. because he remembers. Your obedience^ viz., towards him, as appears from what follows. How with fear and trem- bling ye received him. " Fear and trembling " is a common scriptural expression for reverence, or solicitous anxiety lest we should fail in doing all that is required of us. 1 Cor. 2, 8 Eph. 6, 5.
16. I rejoice, therefore, that I have confidence in you in all (things).
This is the conclusion of the whole matter. The first seven chapters of the epistle are intimately connected. They all re- late to the state of the congregation at Corinth and to Paul's relation to the people there. The eighth and ninth chapters form a distinct division of the epistle. Here, therefore, we have the conclusion of the Avhole preceding discussion. The result of the long conflict of feeling in reference to the Corin- thians as a church, was the full restoration of confidence. I rejoice that I have confidence in you in all things, {Iv iravTi, iii every thing). I have confidence in you., (^appC) cV vfj-lv,) I have good courage, am full of hope and confidence. 5, 6. Heb. 13, 6. As ^appeo) is not elsewhere constructed with cV, Meyer says the meaning is, 'I am of good courage, through you.' If this objection to the common explanation be considered of weight, iv had better be rendered be/ore. ' I stand full of confidence before you, i. e. in your presence.' 1 Cor. 14, 11. The sense, however, expressed by the common interpretation is better.