--- title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible" author: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown" languages: [en] shelf: "Commentaries" section: 742 of 927 url: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/742/ cite: "Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, section 742. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/742/" --- # Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible *Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown* The Victorian standard commentary, critical and practical, from Genesis to Revelation. ## 742. 2 Corinthians · 11 of 18 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/742/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/jamieson-fausset-brown-commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/742/#p-N [¶0] not only to do, but also to be forward--There were three steps: (1) the forwardness, more literally, "the will"; (2) the setting about it, literally, "doing it"; (3) completion of it [Alford]. In the two former, not only the act, but the intention, the Corinthians preceded the Macedonians. Bengel explains, "Not only to do" FOR THE PAST YEAR, "but also to be forward" or willing FOR THIS YEAR. Ellicott translates, "already," instead of "before": "Ye began already a year ago, not only to do, but also to be forward." It appears hence, that something had been done in the matter a year before; other texts, however, show the collection was not yet paid (compare [2Co 8:11] and [2Co 9:5], ). This agrees with one, and only one supposition, namely, that every man had laid by in store the fund from which he was afterwards to contribute, the very case which is shown by [1Co 16:2] to have existed [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ]. [¶1] 11. perform--"complete the doing also" (see on [2Co 8:10]). [¶2] a readiness to will--Greek, "the readiness of will"; referring to [2Co 8:10], where the Greek for "to be forward," ought to be translated as here, "to will." [¶3] performance--"completion" [Alford], The godly should show the same zeal to finish, as well as to begin well, which the worldly exhibit in their undertakings ([Jr 44:25]). [¶4] 12. For--Following up the rule "out of that which ye have" ([2Co 8:11]), and no more. [¶5] a willing mind--rather, as Greek, "the readiness," namely, to will, referring to [2Co 8:11]. [¶6] accepted--Greek "favorably accepted." [¶7] according to that a man hath--The oldest manuscripts omit "a man." Translate, "According to whatsoever it have"; the willing mind, or "readiness" to will, is personified [Alford]. Or better, as Bengel, "He is accepted according to whatsoever he have"; so [2Co 9:7], The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." Compare as to David, [1Ki 8:18]. God accepts the will for the deed. He judges not according to what a man has the opportunity to do, but according to what he would do if he had the opportunity (compare [Mr 14:8]; and the widow's mite, [Lu 21:3], ). [¶8] 13. For--Supply from [2Co 8:8], "I speak." My aim is not that others (namely, the saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the cost of your being "distressed" (so the Greek for "burdened"). The golden rule is, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," not more than thyself. [¶9] 14. by an equality--"by the rule of equality" [Alford]: literally, "Out of equality." [¶10] now at this time--Greek, "at the present juncture" or season. [¶11] that their abundance also--The Greek being distinct from the previous "that," translate, "in order that," namely, at another season, when your relative circumstances may be reversed. The reference is solely to temporal wants and supplies. Those, as Bengel, who quote [Ro 15:27] for interpreting it of spiritual supplies from the Jews to the Gentiles, forget that [Ro 15:27] refers to the past benefit spiritually, which the Jews have conferred on the Gentiles, as a motive to gratitude on the part of the latter, not to a prospective benefit to be looked for from the former, which the text refers to. [¶12] 15. ([Ex 16:18]; Septuagint). As God gave an equal portion of manna to all the Israelites, whether they could gather much or little; so Christians should promote by liberality an equality, so that none should need the necessaries of life while others have superfluities. "Our luxuries should yield to our neighbor's comforts; and our comforts to his necessities" [J. Howard]. [¶13] 16-17. Returning to the subject of [2Co 8:6]. [¶14] for you--Translate, "Which put the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus," as was in myself. My care for you led me to "desire" him ([2Co 8:6], , "exhortation," the same Greek); but Titus had of himself the same care, whence he "accepted (gladly) my exhortation" ([2Co 8:17]) to go to you ([2Co 8:6]). [¶15] 18. the brother, whose praise is in the gospel--whose praise is known in connection with the Gospel: Luke may be meant; not that "the Gospel" here refers to his written Gospel; but the language implies some one well known throughout the churches, and at that time with Paul, as Luke then was ([Ac 20:6]). Not a Macedonian, as appears from [2Co 9:4]. Of all Paul's "companions in travel" ([2Co 8:19]; [Ac 19:29]), Luke was the most prominent, having been his companion in preaching the Gospel at his first entrance into Europe ([Ac 16:10]). The fact that the person here referred to was "chosen of the churches" as their trustee to travel with Paul in conveying the contribution to Jerusalem, implies that he had resided among them some time before: this is true of Luke, who after parting from Paul at Philippi (as he marks by the change from "we" to "they," [Ac 16:11]) six years before, is now again found in his company in Macedonia. In the interim he had probably become so well known that "his praise was throughout all the churches." Compare [2Co 12:18]; Phm 24. He who is faithful in the Gospel will be faithful also in matters of inferior importance [Bengel]. [¶16] 19. not that only--not only praised in all the churches. [¶17] chosen--by vote: so the Greek. [¶18] of the churches--therefore these companions of Paul are called "messengers of the churches" ([2Co 8:23]). [¶19] to travel--to Jerusalem. [¶20] with this grace--Greek, "in the case of this grace," or "gift." [¶21] to the glory of the same Lord--The oldest manuscripts omit "same." [¶22] declaration of your ready mind--The oldest manuscripts read, "our," not your. This and the previous clause, "to the glory of the same Lord," do not follow "administered by us," but "chosen of the churches to travel," &c. The union of the brother with Paul in this affair of the collection was done to guard against suspicions injurious "to the glory" of the Lord. It was also done in order to produce a "readiness" on the part of Paul and the brother to undertake the office which each, by himself, would have been less ready to undertake, for fear of suspicions arising ([2Co 8:20]) as to their appropriation of any of the money. [¶23] 20. Avoiding--taking precautions against this. [¶24] in this abundance--in the case of this abundance. [¶25] 21. The Septuagint ([Pr 3:4]; [Ro 12:17]). The oldest manuscripts read, "For we provide." [¶26] honest things--"things honorable." [¶27] 22. This second brother, Birks supposes to be Trophimus: for a Macedonian is not meant ([2Co 9:4]) probably the same as was sent before with Titus ([2Co 12:18]); and therefore sent from Ephesus, and probably an Ephesian: all this is true of Trophimus. [¶28] oftentimes ... in many things--Join and translate as in the Greek, "many times in many things." [¶29] upon the great confidence which I have in you--"through the great confidence WHICH HE HAS towards you" [Alford]. Bengel better supports English Version, "We have sent ... through the confidence WHICH WE FEEL in regard to your liberality." [¶30] 23. fellow helper concerning you--Greek, "fellow worker towards you." [¶31] our brethren--the two mentioned in [2Co 8:18], . [¶32] messengers--rather, as the Greek, "apostles": in the less strict sense ([Ac 14:14]). [¶33] of the churches--sent by the churches, as we are by the Lord ([Php 2:25]). There was in the synagogue an ecclesiastical officer, called "the angel of the Church," whence the title seems derived (compare [Re 2:1]). [¶34] 24. The oldest manuscripts read "[continue] manifesting to them in the face of the churches the manifestation of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf." ### Chapter 9 [¶36] [2Co 9:1-15]. Reasons for His Sending Titus. The Greater Their Bountifulness, the More Shall Be the Return of Blessing to Them, and Thanksgiving to God. [¶37] 1. For--connected with [2Co 8:16]: "Show love to the messengers of the churches; for as concerns the ministration for the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you who are so forward already." [¶38] write--emphatical: It is superfluous to "write," for you will have witnesses present [Bengel]. [¶39] 2. ready a year ago--to send off the money, owing to the apostle's former exhortation ([1Co 16:1], 2). [¶40] your zeal--Greek, "the zeal from you," that is, on your part; propagated from you to others. [¶41] provoked--that is, stimulated. [¶42] very many--Greek, "the greater number," namely, of the Macedonians. [¶43] 3. have I sent--we should say, "I send"; whereas the ancients put it in the past, the time which it would be by the time that the letter arrived. [¶44] the brethren--([2Co 8:18], )--Titus and the two others.