its religious, scriptural sense ; that revelation which God has made in his word as the rule of oar faith and practice. This passage is of special interest as fixing the limits of all ecclesi- astical power, whether ordinary or miraculous. The decision of the apostle, if against the truth, availed nothing in the sight of God ; the supernatural power with which he was invested forsook his arm, if raised against God's own people. The promise of our Lord, that what the church binds on earth shall be bound in heaven, is limited by the condition that her decisions be in accordance with the truth. The doctrine of the extreme Romish party that acts of discipline are effectual in cutting off from the true church and the communion of God, even clave errante^ i. e. when the church errs in her knowledge of the facts, is utterly inconsistent with Paul's doctrine. He claimed no such power.
9. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong : and this also we wish, (even) yonr perfection.
If connected with the preceding clause the sense of this verse is, ' AYe can act only for the truth, for we have no de- sire to exercise our power to punish ; we are glad when we are weak.' The meaning is better if this verse is regarded as co- ordinate with verse 8, and subordinate to v. 7. ' We desire that you should do right, though we appear as dSoKtjaot (with- out evidence), for we are glad when we are weak.' That is, we are glad when we have no occasion to exercise or manifest our power to punish. This is evidently the sense in which the word iceaJc is to be here taken. It does not mean weak in the estimation of men, that is, despised as unworthy of respect. And ye are strong^ i. e. such as cannot be overcome. They were strong when they were good. Their goodness was a sure protection from the disciplinary power of the apostle. This also tee wish^ viz. your ]y€,rfection. That is, we are not only glad when you are strong, but we pray for your complete establishment. Perfection^ KaTdpTicn<;^ from KarapTi^w, in the sense to put in complete order. Paul prayed that they might be perfectly restored from the state of confusion, contention, and evil into which they had fallen.
10. Therefore I write these things being absent,