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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:1-11

The apostle in these verses pursues the argument of the former chapter, concerning the grounds of their courage and patience under afflictions. And, I. He mentions their expectation, and desire, and assurance, of eternal happiness after death, 2 Cor. 5:1-5. Observe particularly, 1. The believer's expectation of eternal happiness after death, 2 Cor. 5:1. He does not only know, or is well assured by faith of the truth and reality of the thing itself?that there is another and a happy life after... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:12-15

Here observe, I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself and his fellow-labourers (2 Cor. 5:13), and tells them, 1. It was not to commend themselves, nor for their own sakes, that he had spoken of their fidelity and diligence in the 2 Cor. 5:1-11; nor was he willing to suspect their good opinion of him. But, 2. The true reason was this, to put an argument in their mouths wherewith to answer his accusers, who made vain boastings, and gloried in appearances only; that he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:11-19

5:11-19 So then, it is because we know the fear of the Lord that we keep on trying to persuade men, but to God we are already known through and through, and I hope that in your conscience, too, we will come to be as completely known. We are not trying to give ourselves another testimonial, but we are giving you an opportunity to express your pride in us, so that you may be able to answer those who pride themselves on outward appearances but not in the things of the heart. For, if we have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord ,.... Or the fear of the Lord; by which is meant either the grace of the fear of the Lord, implanted in the hearts of the apostles, and in which they acted in their ministry, faithfully dispensing to men the mysteries of grace; from which they could by no means be moved, because the fear of God was before their eyes, and upon their hearts; or rather the terror of the Lord in the last judgment, which will be very great, considering the awfulness of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:12

For we commend not ourselves again to you ,.... We have no need to do so, being well known to you; nor do we intend it when we thus speak of ourselves, and of our ministrations: but give you occasion to glory on our behalf ; suggest some things to you which you may make use of in our favour, for the vindicating of our characters and conduct: that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart ; by whom are meant the false apostles who gloried in an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:13

For whether we be besides ourselves ,.... As some took them to be, and as Festus thought the Apostle Paul was, because of the doctrines they preached, and the self-commendation they were obliged to enter into through the calumnies of their adversaries; in which they did not so much seek their own reputation, as the honour and glory of God, which was struck at through them: it is to God ; it is for his glory, and not our own, that we act this part, for which we are condemned as madmen. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us ,.... Or "containeth us"; holds and keeps us in our station and duty, as soldiers are held and kept together under a banner, or ensign displayed; to which the church refers, when she says, "his banner over me was love", Song of Solomon 2:4 . Nothing more effectually keeps ministers, or other believers, in the work and service of their Lord, or more strongly obliges and constrains them to a cheerful discharge of their duty to him, and one another, than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:15

And that he died for all, that they which live ,.... The end of Christ's dying for men was that they might live; live, in a legal sense, live a life of justification; and that they which live in such a sense, should not henceforth live unto themselves : to their own lusts, and after their own wills, to either sinful self, or righteous self: but unto him which died for them, and rose again ; that is, for them, for their justification; for all those for whom Christ died, for them he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord - This, I think, is too harsh a translation of ειδοτες ουν τον φοβον του Κυριου , which should be rendered, knowing therefore the fear of the Lord; which, strange as it may at first appear, often signifies the worship of the Lord, or that religious reverence which we owe to him; Acts 9:31 ; Romans 3:18 ; Romans 13:7 ; 1 Peter 1:17 ; 1 Peter 2:18 ; 1 Peter 3:2 . As we know therefore what God requires of man, because we are favored with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 5:12

For we commend not ourselves? - I do not say these things to bespeak your good opinion, to procure your praise; but to give you an occasion to glory - to exult on our behalf; and to furnish you with an answer to all those who either malign us or our ministry, and who only glory in appearance - have no solid ground of exultation, and whose heart is dishonest and impure. St. Paul probably speaks here concerning the false apostle, who had been dividing the Church and endeavoring to raise a... read more

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