13 for whether we were beside ourselves, `it was' to God; whether we be of sound mind -- `it is' to you,
O that ye were bearing with me a little of the folly, but ye also do bear with me:
Again I say, may no one think me to be a fool; and if otherwise, even as a fool receive me, that I also a little may boast. That which I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this the confidence of boasting;
for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;
I have become a fool -- boasting; ye -- ye did compel me; for I ought by you to have been commended, for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles -- even if I am nothing.
And David saith unto Michal, `-- Before Jehovah, who fixed on me above thy father, and above all his house, to appoint me leader over the people of Jehovah, and over Israel, -- yea, I played before Jehovah; and I have been more vile than this, and have been low in mine eyes, and with the handmaids whom thou hast spoken of, with them I am honoured.'
For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith,
we `are' fools because of Christ, and ye wise in Christ; we `are' ailing, and ye strong; ye glorious, and we dishonoured; unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and wander about, and labour, working with `our' own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer; being spoken evil of, we entreat; as filth of the world we did become -- of all things an offscouring -- till now.
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and do fill up the things lacking of the tribulations of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the assembly,
because our good news did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, even as ye have known of what sort we became among you because of you,
for our exhortation `is' not out of deceit, nor out of uncleanness, nor in guile, but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who is proving our hearts, for at no time did we come with speech of flattery, (as ye have known,) nor in a pretext for covetousness, (God `is' witness!) nor seeking of men glory, neither from you nor from others, being able to be burdensome, as Christ's apostles. But we became gentle in your midst, as a nurse may cherish her own children, so being desirous of you, we are well-pleased to impart to you not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because beloved ye have become to us, for ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail, for, night and day working not to be a burden upon any of you, we did preach to you the good news of God; ye `are' witnesses -- God also -- how kindly and righteously, and blamelessly to you who believe we became, even as ye have known, how each one of you, as a father his own children, we are exhorting you, and comforting, and testifying,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
The apostle proceeds in showing the reasons why they did not faint under their afflictions, namely, their expectation, desire, and assurance of happiness after death (v. 1-5), and deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in their present state (v. 6-8), and another to quicken them in their duty (v. 9-11). Then he makes an apology for seeming to commend himself, and gives a good reason for his zeal and diligence (v. 12-15), and mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, regeneration and reconciliation (v. 16-21).
2Cr 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,
2Cr 5:12-15
Here observe,
2Cr 5:16-21
In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation.