Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XII.
In this chapter the apostle proceeds in maintaining the honour of his apostleship. He magnified his office when there were those who vilified it. What he says in his own praise was only in his own justification and the necessary defence of the honour of his ministry, the preservation of which was necessary to its success. First, He makes mention of the favour God had shown him, the honour done him, the methods God took to keep him humble, and the use he made of this dispensation, 2 Corinthians 12:1 - 10 . Then he addresses himself to the Corinthians, blaming them for what was faulty among them, and giving a large account of his behaviour and kind intentions towards them, 2 Corinthians 12:11 - 21 .
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE
C O R I N T H I A N S.
I N his former epistle the apostle had signified his intentions of coming to Corinth, as he passed through Macedonia 1 Corinthians 16:5 ), but, being providentially hindered for some time, he writes this second epistle to them about a year after the former; and there seem to be these two urgent occasions:-- 1. The case of the incestuous person, who lay under censure, required that with all speed he should be restored and received again into communion. This therefore he gives directions about 2 Corinthians 2:1 - 172 Corinthians 2:1 - 17 ), and afterwards 2 Corinthians 7:1 - 162 Corinthians 7:1 - 16 ) he declares the satisfaction he had upon the intelligence he received of their good behaviour in that affair. 2. There was a contribution now making for the poor saints at Jerusalem, in which he exhorts the Corinthians to join, 2 Corinthians 8:1 - 92 Corinthians 8:1 - 9 .
There are divers other things very observable in this epistle; for example, I. The account the apostle gives of his labours and success in preaching the gospel in several places, 2 Corinthians 2:1 - 172 Corinthians 2:1 - 17 . II. The comparison he makes between the Old and New Testament dispensation, 2 Corinthians 3:1 - 182 Corinthians 3:1 - 18 . III. The manifold sufferings that he and his fellow-labourers met with, and the motives and encouragements for their diligence and patience, 2 Corinthians 4:1 - 52 Corinthians 4:1 - 5 . IV. The caution he gives the Corinthians against mingling with unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 6:1 - 182 Corinthians 6:1 - 18 . V. The way and manner in which he justifies himself and his apostleship from the opprobrious insinuations and accusations of false teachers, who endeavoured to ruin his reputation at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 10:1 - 122 Corinthians 10:1 - 12 , and throughout the whole epistle.
