2 Corinthians 1:8-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:7-11

In these verses the apostle speaks for the encouragement and edification of the Corinthians; and tells them (2 Cor. 1:7) of his persuasion or stedfast hope that they should receive benefit by the troubles he and his companions in labour and travel had met with, that their faith should not be weakened, but their consolations increased. In order to this he tells them, 1. What their sufferings had been (2 Cor. 1:8): We would not have you ignorant of our trouble. It was convenient for the churches... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

The apostle in these verses attests their integrity by the sincerity of their conversation. This he does not in a way of boasting and vain-glory, but as one good reason for desiring the help of prayer, as well as for the more comfortably trusting in God (Heb. 13:18), and for the necessary vindication of himself from the aspersions of some persons at Corinth, who reproached his person and questioned his apostleship. Here, I. He appeals to the testimony of conscience with rejoicing (2 Cor.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

1:8-11 I want you to know, brothers, about the terrible experience which happened to us in Asia, an experience in which we were excessively weighted down till it was beyond bearing, so that we despaired even of life. The only verdict we could give on our condition was the verdict of death; but this happened in order that we should not trust in ourselves but in the God who raises the dead. It was he who rescued us from so terrible a death, and who will rescue us. We hope in him that he will... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

1:12-14 The only boast we make is this--and it is backed by the witness of our conscience--that in the world we have behaved ourselves with the holiness and the purity of God, not with a wisdom dominated by human motives, but with the grace of God, and especially so towards you. We have written no other things to you than those which you read and understand, and I hope that you will go on to understand even their deepest meanings and significances, just as you have already understood them at... 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

Group of Brands