The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 175

to defend myself, not t.o oomplain of you in Maoedonl11. The '' feare" were donbtleea (comp. I Cor. h-. 14). I have said before. still conne~ted with anxiety as to tho re- He has not ll&id it in so many words, but has ception of 'l'itue, and of his First Epistle implied it in oh. iii. 2, 8; vi. 11-14. Ye ( eh. xii. 20). are in our hea.rta, So he 81\VS to his beloved Ver. 6.-Who comforteth thoae th11t are Philippiene, " I he.ve you· in my heart " Cl8.8t down. "The Oomforter of the humble (Phil. i. 7). To die and live with you. comforted us, even God." The word Similarly he tells the TheBSl\lonians that "humble" bas in classical Greek the sense be we.s ready to give them even his own of" mean," "abject." Pride, not humility, life (l Thess. ii. 8). This is no mere con- was tbo virtue even of Stoic morality. Christ ventione.l expression of deep affection, like was the first to reveal the beatitude of low li- Horaoe'e., "Tecum vivere amem, tecum ness (Matt. xi. 29; Luke i. 52). Doubtless obeam libens;" nor is it the description of the word still i-etained some of its old as- some compe.ct for life and death like that sociations, e.nd had been used of St. Paul of the Theban Band. It bas the deeper in a disparaging sense (eh. x. 1). But h'e me.aning which was involved by the words whom his opponents accused of. so much "life" e.nd "death" on the lips of a Christian egotism, ambition, and arrogance, meekly (oh. iv. 11.; v:i. 9). And one whose life was, accepts the term and applies it to himself. for Christ's sake, a daily death, naturally God ( eh. i. 4). "The God . . . of consola- mentions death first. tion" (Rom. xv. 5). By the ooming cfTitns. Ver. 4.-Boldness of speech. St. Paul This was the ce.use of that outburst of joy in feels that he may address them with per- eh. ii. 13, H, which passage here finds its fect fran.1.-ness and openness (oh. iii. 12). explanation. The absence of Titus from Jiy glorying of yon. " llfy boasting on your the Acts is another proof of the fragmentari- account" (eh. i. 14; v. 12; ,iii. 14; comp. ness of that book. It is evident that he was 1 Car. i 4-7). I am filled with oomfort. an ardent, able, active fellow-worker, and "I have been filled with the consolation." most beloved friend of the apostle (Gal. ii. •· Consolation" is the word which occnrs so 1, 3; 2 Tim. iv. 10; Titus i. 4; iii. 12). frequently in eh. i. 3, 4. I e.m uceeding joy- We learn most about hlm from this Epistle. ful. "I supembonnd in my joy" (eh. ii. 2- Ver. 7.-And not by his coming only. The 14). In all our tribulation. The clause mere fact of Titus's arrival cheered St. Paul, belongs to both the preoeding clanses. Joy because Titus seems to have been of a in the very midst of affliction was an essen- strong and cheery temperament. St. Paul, tially Christian blessing (Phil ii 17). partly because of his infirmities, was peou- "'Thou shalt have joy in sadness soon; liarlv dependent on the support of humo.n The pure ce.1.m hope be thine sympathy (I 'fhess. iii. 1-8 ; Phil. ii. 20; Which brightens the Eastern moon, 2 Tim. iv. 4; Acts xvii. 15; xxviii. 15). It When day's wild lights decline." was not, however, the mere o.rrival of Titus which cheered him, but still more the good (See eh. vi 10; Gal v. 22; Rom. xiv. 17; news which be brought, and which partially John xv. 11.) lightened hie anxieties. In all probability Ver. 5.-For, when we were come into this letter was written o.lmoet immediately 1tacedoma. "For e1'en when we ce.me." after the arrival of Titus, and while the joy The word "affliction" reminds St. Paul to caused by his presence was still glowing in resume the thread of the narrative which the apostle's heart. It is chamoteristio of makes this letter almost like an itinerary. the seclusion of an austere life that Bt. He has spoken of his trials in Ephesus Jerome snpposes the ce.use of the apostle's (eh. i 8) and in the Tread (eh. ii. 12, 13), distress to hav6 been that Titus we.s his and now he tells them that e1'en in llface- interpreter, and that in his absence he could donia he was no less troubled and agitated. not preach I Your earnest desire. Your Our fiesh had no rest. External troubles yearning to see me once more. Mourning; 8Sa&iled him as well ns inward anxiety. rather, lameritation (see eh. ii. 12). They " Had " seems here to be the best reading were aroused to lo.ment their past" inflation" (B, F, G, K); not "has had," which mo.y be (1 Car. v. 2) and remissness. Your fervent borrowed from eh. ii 13. Reet ; rather, mind toward me. 'fhis rendering well ex- remisB'ion, respite. Bnt we were tr~nbled. on presses the kindling affection implied by every aide; literally, but in e-r,eryihing bei119 the word zi!los. So that I rejoiced the more, oiflieted. The style, in its picturesq~e irre- More than he had even anticipated could be gularity, almost seems o.s though it ~vero possible; or, e.s the next verse may imply, broken by sobs. Without were fightings, nil the more because of his past anguish within were feara. " From without battles, (cli. ii. 4). from within fears." No light is thrown on Ver. 8.-With a letter; rather,. with my thcee •· b~ttles." fbe Acts of the Apostles E1ddtle. Probably the First Epistle, though hLI.B no details to ~ve UB of this brief stay some suppose that the allusion is to a lost ott', vn. 1-lG.J THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORI~THIANS. lil