2 Corinthians 1:1-14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation ,.... The apostle in this verse gives a reason of the former thanksgiving, and at the same time confirms the above character of God, as "the God of all comfort", by his own experience, and that of his fellow ministers; who, though they had been in great tribulation and affliction for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, yet were not left destitute of divine help and support under their trials; but had much consolation and sweet refreshment administered... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:5

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us ,.... By "the sufferings of Christ" are not meant those which he suffered in his own person for the sake, and in the room and stead of his people, the fruits and effects of which abound to them, and in them; but those which he suffers in his members, or which they suffer for his sake; and which are said to "abound in" them, because of the variety and greatness of them; though not as if they were more or greater than what Christ suffered in his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:6

And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation ,.... The apostle repeats and explains the end of both his comforts and his troubles, and shows, by a dilemma, a strong way of arguing, that the afflictions and consolations, the adversity and prosperity of him, and the other ministers of the Gospel, were for the good of the saints: and it is as if he should say, when you see us continue to preach the Gospel with so much boldness and cheerfulness, amidst so many reproaches, afflictions,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:7

For our hope of you is steadfast ,.... We have long ago entertained hopes of you, that the work of God is begun upon your souls, and will be carried on, and that you will hold on in the profession of your faith unto the end, and not be moved by the afflictions you see in us, or endure in yourselves; and so will pass on cheerfully in your Christian race, in the midst of all your troubles, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, you may expect to be possessed of; and this hope, for or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:8

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble ,.... The apostle was very desirous that the Corinthians might be thoroughly acquainted with the trouble that had lately befallen them; partly because it would clearly appear from hence what reason he had to give thanks to God as he had done; and partly, that they might be encouraged to trust in God, when in the utmost extremity; but chiefly in order to remove a charge brought against him by the false apostles; who, because he had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:9

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves ,.... By the sentence of death is meant, not any decree of heaven, or appointment of God that they should die; nor any sentence of condemnation and death passed on them by the civil magistrate; but an opinion or persuasion in their own breasts, that they should die; so far were they from any hopes of life, that they looked upon themselves as dead men, as the Egyptians did, when their firstborn were slain, and said, "we be all dead men", Exodus... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:10

Who delivered us from so great a death ,.... Accordingly, being enabled to trust in God, when all human hope and helps failed, to believe in hope against hope, then the Lord appeared for them, and delivered them from this heavy affliction; which, because by reason of it they were not only in danger of death, and threatened with, but were even under the sentence of it, is therefore called a death, and so great an one, see 2 Corinthians 11:23 . The apostle expresses the continuance of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:11

You also helping together by prayer for us ,.... Though the apostle ascribes their deliverance solely to God, as the author and efficient cause of it; yet he takes notice of the prayers of the saints for them, as helping causes or means of their obtaining it. It was a very laudable practice in the churches, and worthy of imitation, to pray for the ministers of the Gospel, and especially when under affliction and persecution; see Acts 12:5 , and the prayers of those righteous ones were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience ,.... This rejoicing or glorying of the apostle's in the testimony of their consciences, to the goodness of their hearts, actions, conduct, and behaviour, was not before God, and in his sight, but before men, who were ready to accuse their good conversation in Christ: nor are these words to be considered as they generally are by interpreters, as if it was the testimony of a good conscience, which was the ground of their faith and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:13

For we write none other things to you ,.... The things we write unto you concerning our conduct; and behaviour, are no other than what you read ; not in our letters to you, but in our lives and conversations, when we were among you, and which you must own and acknowledge to be just and right; we can appeal to you, that what we say, and are obliged to say of ourselves, in our own defence, is what, upon a recollection, you will easily remember to have seen and observed: and I trust ;... read more

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