2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:5

The sufferings of Christ - Suffering endured for the cause of Christ: such as persecutions, hardships, and privations of different kinds. Our consolation also aboundeth - We stood as well, as firmly, and as easily, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall abound, as his sufferings... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:6

And whether we be afflicted - See on 2 Corinthians 1:4 ; (note). Which is effectual - There is a strange and unusual variation in the MSS. and versions in this passage. Perhaps the whole should be read thus: For if we be afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; and if we be comforted, it is also for your encouragement, which exerted itself by enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. This transposition of the middle and last clauses is authorized by the best... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:7

And our hope of you is steadfast - We have no doubt of your continuing in the truth; because we see that you have such a full, experimental knowledge of it, that no sufferings or persecutions can turn you aside. And we are sure that, as ye suffer, so shall ye rejoice. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:3

Verse 3 3Blessed be God He begins (as has been observed) with this thanksgiving — partly for the purpose of extolling the goodness of God — partly, with the view of animating the Corinthians by his example to the resolute endurance of persecutions; and partly, that he may magnify himself in a strain of pious glorying, in opposition to the malignant slanderings of the false apostles. For such is the depravity of the world, that it treats with derision martyrdoms, (217) which it ought to have... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Verse 4 4.That we may be able to comfort There can be no doubt, that, as he had a little before cleared his afflictions from reproach and unfavorable reports, so now he instructs the Corinthians, that his having come off victorious through heavenly consolation was for their sake and with a view to their advantage, that they may stir themselves up to fellowship in suffering, instead of haughtily despising his conflicts. As, however, the Apostle lived not for himself but for the Church, so he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:5

Verse 5 5.For as the sufferings of Christ abound — This statement may be explained in two ways — actively and passively. If you take it actively, the meaning will be this: “The more I am tried with various afflictions, so much the more resources have I for comforting others.” I am, however, more inclined to take it in a passive sense, as meaning that God multiplied his consolations according to the measure of his tribulations. David also acknowledges that it had been thus with him: According... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:6

Verse 6 6.Whether we are afflicted. From the circumstance that before the clause our hope of you is steadfast, there is introduced the connecting particle and, Erasmus has conceived the idea, that some word must be understood to correspond with those words — for your consolation and salvation — in this way, whether we are afflicted, IT ISfor your consolation. I think it, however, more probable, that the connecting particle and is used here as meaning: Thus also, or in both cases. He had already... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:7

Verse 7 7.Knowing, that as However there might be some of the Corinthians that were drawn away for the time by the calumnies of the false Apostles, so as to entertain less honorable views of Paul, on seeing him shamefully handled before the world, he, nevertheless, associates them with himself both in fellowship of afflictions, and in hope of consolation. (237) Thus he corrects their perverse and malignant view, without subjecting them to an open rebuke. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

The God of Christianity. "Blessed he God, even the Father," etc. The God of nature is revealed in nature as the Almighty and the All-wise. "The invisible things of the world are clearly seen, being made visible by the things that are seen, even his eternal power and Godhead." But God in Christianity appears in three aspects. I. AS THE FATHER OF THE WORLD 'S REDEEMER . "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus Christ is the world's Redeemer, and... read more

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