2. I hastened from Troas to Macedonia, which is near you :
keeping pace with the progress of the Gospel, whose glorious ministry we worthily perform, 12— vii. 1.
3. In Macedonia I received joyful tidings of you, 2—16.
4. In this journey I became acquainted with the liberality
of the Macedonians. Wherefore it becomes you to follow that example, viii. 1— ix. 15.
5. I am on my way to you, armed with the power of Christ.
Therefore obey, x. 1-xiii. 10.
III. The Conclusion, 11-13.
TifioO&og 6 adtXtpbg, Timothy , out brother) When Paul writes to Timothy himself, he calls him son ; when writing of him to the Corinthians and others, he calls him brother. — zxvXnvia row 0g oD, to the Church of God ) This has the force of a synonym with the word saints , which follows.
3. E vXoyrirbg, blessed ) An elegant mode of introduction, and suited to the apostolic spirit, especially in adversity. — 6 Karri? ruv o ixnp/jjuv xai ©sog K&ffrjg crafaxXjjo'gwg, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation ) Mercies are the fountain of consolation : comp. Pom. xii. 1 : Kapa%aXs7v is zusprechen , to console. The principle of exhortation and consolation is often the same ; con- solation is the proof [the evidence] of mercies. \And Paul makes mention of mercies and help , before he mentions afflictions. — V. g.] He exhibits his mercies in the very midst of calamity ; and the calamity of the saints is neither contrary to the Divine mercy, nor does it beget suspicion against it in the minds of the saints : afterwards it even affords consolation; therefore Kutris, of ally is added.
4. nd<frr Katri, in all , in all) He who has experienced one
kind of affliction is peculiarly qualified to console those in the same circumstances ; he who has experienced all is able to con- sole men under all kinds of affliction, Heb. iv. 15. — 0A/\|/g /, in tribulation) The antithetic words on the one side are -ra^/xara, adversities [the sufferings], and distress [straitness] of
mind ; of which the one is implied in the signification of the other — and on the other side, aurripia, salvation ; and Kapdx'kriffig, consolation ; of which the one is in like manner implied in the