By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in

vain:

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures ;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6 After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7 After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with

me.

11 Therefore, whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

12 Now, if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there be, no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of Ged; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised;

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own conceiving how the dead could be raised, are then answered; and it is shewn that there are operations in nature analogous to the mystery in question; that the order of universal being, in its several degrees, will only be kept up by it; and that the change by which the body will be fitted for its eternal mansions, will be such a one as the powerful influence of a mighty spiritual principle must of necessity produce. Ver. 3. Ps. xxii. 15; Isaiah, liii. 10; Hos. vi. 2; Dan. ix. 26.-Ver. 4. Ps. xvi. 10.-Ver. 5. Cephas: that is, Peter. Mark, xvi. 14 Luke, xxiv. 34; John, xx. 19; Acts, x. 41.-Ver. 6. Allusion is supposed to be made to this appearance of Christ in Matth. xxviii. 10.-Ver. 8. Acts, ix. 4;

order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die.

33 Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come ?

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh : but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.

xxii. 14-18. Ver. 29. Baptized for the dead: that is, baptized for the resurrection from the dead,baptized into the Christian covenant, with all the obligations imposed thereby, in order to obtain a future existence. Ver. 32. St Paul was in extreme peril while at Ephesus, as appears from the relation in the 19th chapter of the Acts, and it is probable that he was really condemned by the infuriated populace to be exposed to wild beasts; but some commentators consider that the expression

fought with beasts, " only refers to the violence with which his enemies assailed him. Ver. 36. The body of the seed actually corrupts, and leaves only the minute germ which it enfolds to spring forth, and nothing can be more opposite in appearance than the little dark grain to the green blade,

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead: it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Lingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; (for the trumpet shall sound ;) and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

59 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,. always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that. your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

CHAPTER XVI.

NOW concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in

and the lovely flower, to which in corrupting it gives life. Ver. 45. A living soul: that is, having life so far as it is itself concerned, -- a quickening spirit, that is, not only having life itself, but the power of giving life to others. Ver. 50. John, iii. 3.-Ver. 54. Isaiah, xxv. 8. Ver. 55. Hos. xiii. 14. - Ver. 56. Rom. v. 15; vii. 5.-Ver. 58. Let the reader be always careful to conclude with this practical exhortation to himself when meditating on the resurrection and eternal life.

Ver. 1. Acts, xi. 29; xxiv. 17; Rom. xv. 26; 2 Cor. viii. 4; ix. 1; Gal. ii. 10. The reader will do well to compare these parallel passages. They shew how the historical and epistolary portions of this part of Scripture agree. Ver. 2. Acts,

store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I

come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia; (for I do pass through Macedonia :)

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

xx. 7.-Ver. 5. Acts, xix. 21; 2 Cor. i. 16.-Ver. 7. Acts, xviii. 21; James, iv. 15. The reason why he did not now visit the Corinthians is explained by the apostle in the next epistle.-Ver. 9. Acts,

10 Now, if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Let no man therefore despise him; but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.

12 As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1 Let all your things be done with charity.

15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and

xiv. 27.-Ver. 11. 1 Tim. iv. 12; Acts, xv. 33.-Ver. 15. Rom. xvi.

Achaicus: for that which lacking on your part they have supplied.

18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknow ledge ye them that are such.

19 The churches of Asia salut you. Aquila and Priscilla salut you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

20 All the brethren greet you Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

21 The salutation of me Pau with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lor Jesus Christ, let him be Anathem Maran-atha.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesu Christ be with you.

24 My love be with you all it .Christ Jesus. Amen.

The first epistle to the Corin thians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus and Timotheus.

5. Ver. 22. Anathema Maran atha: that is, accursed, or excom municated.

CHAPTER I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ

by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we spaired even of life:

de

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should

Ver. S. Acts, xix. 23; 1 Cor. AY. 33.-Ver. 9. The sentence, or answer of death: that is, this de

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us :

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that, for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

13 For we write none other things unto you than what ye read or acknowledge, and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

16 And to pass by you into Ma

spairing of life was the natural consequence of human weakness, and its subjection to death; but the believers in Christ learn therefrom to place their trust more entirely on God. Ver. 11. The help which Christians may give each other by mutual prayer, is here forcibly pointed out.-Ver. 14. In part: part of the Corinthians remained faithful to the apostle amid all the dissentions which had followed the intrusion of the false teachers. Ver. 15. Kom. . 11.-Ver. 16. 1

of Macedonia unto you, and of yo to be brought on my way towar Judea.

17 When I therefore was the minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpos according to the flesh, that with m there should be yea, yea, and nay nay?

18 But as God is true, our wor toward you was not yea and nay.

19 For the Son of God, Jest Christ, who was preached amon you by us, even by me, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy for by faith ye stand.

CHAPTER II.

BUT I determined this with

myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

Cor. xvi. 5.-Ver. 19. Not yea and nay: that is, not contradictory or uncertain in promises or doctrine. -Ver. 23. 1 Cor. iv. 21; see also of this epistle, chap. ii. 3; xii. 20; xiii. 2. Ver. 24. 1 Cor. iii. 5; 1 Peter, v. 3; Rom. xi. 20.

if I make you sorry, who is n that maketh me glad, but tt. same which is made sorry by me ?

3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of

you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part; that I may not overcharge you all.

6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

7 So that contrariwise, ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such an one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

8 Wherefore I beseech you, that ye would confirm your love toward him.

9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and door was opened unto me of the Lord,

13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but, taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish :

16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life:

Ver. 5. The apostle here states, that it was not all the Corinthians, but only a part of them, who had occasioned his distress, by their eonduct in respect to the person mentioned in the fifth chapter of the preceding epistle.-Ver. 11. Satan effects his purposes in a variety of ways tempting to licentious pleasures at one time, and at another shutting out all light and hope from the soul, by filling it with the terrors of despair, and so preventing it for ever from coming to the gospel. St Paul warns the Corinthians from exercising a severity which might aid Satan in his purposes of this kind. Ver. 12. Acts, xvi. 8; 1 Cor. xvi. 9.-Ver. 15. In them that perish: this does not mean that God is gratified by the perishing of those that fall, for it is plainly said that he hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner; but that even the reprobate, when they reject all offers of pardon and salvation, are yet witnesses, by their own perverseness and corruption, to the value of the grace which they despise.

and who is sufficient for these things?

17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

CHAPTER III.

DO we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men : 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.

4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away;

8 How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious?

9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

11 For if that which was done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech;

13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Ver. 1. Acts, xviii. 27.-Ver. 2. 1 Cor. ix. 2.-Ver. 7. Rom. vii. 10; Deut. x. 1; Exod. xxxiv. 29-35. -Ver. 13. Exod. xxxiv. 33; Roni. x. 4; Gal. iii. 23.-Ver. 14. Is. vi. 10; Rom. xi. 8.-Ver. 16. Rom. xi. 23; Is. xxv. 7. The vail which Moses put over his face was representative of the shadowy character of the rites and sacrifices which the Lord commanded him to institute. The vail which still remained in the reading of the Old Testament was a darkness and unwillingness of heart, only to be done away by the faith of Christ.-Ver. 17. That Spirit: see verse 6, to which the apostle refers.

18 But we all, with open face be. holding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

CHAPTER IV.

THEREFORE, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost :

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine. unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak ;

14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us

with you.

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God.

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish. yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the

Ver. 1. This verse is immediately connected with verse 11, in the preceding chapter, the intervening passage being in a parenthesis. Ver. 3. This should lead those who perceive not the value and dignity of the gospel, to inquire with great earnestness into their true condition. Ver. 12. The Corinthians were peacefully enjoying the promises of the gospel, not being yet exposed to persecution, while the apostle and other teachers of the truth were subject to every species of danger. Ver. 13. Pa. cxvi. 10.

things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

CHAPTER V.

FOR we know, that, if our earthly

house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed, we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by 'sight:)

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the

Lord.

they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16 Wherefore, henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17 Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

CHAPTER VI.

9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that

Ver. 1. It is worthy of remark, that the apostle continually recurs to the assurance of a resurrection from the dead, and of eternal life, as the great source of consolation in all the labours and sufferings to which his calling led him. Surely, when the hope thus inspired was sufficient to make him happy in the manifold tribulations he endured, it ought to be far more than sufficient to confirm the private, unpersecuted Christian in the patient performance of the duties, neither very trying, nor very perilous in general, which he is called upon to fulfil. Ver. 3. That is, we earnestly desire to have our bodies changed from earthly to heavenly, and thereby find our spirits clothed with a celestial and enduring, instead of a corruptible, tabernacle : but we do not wish to put off the earthly house before we are in a state that may ensure our being allowed to wear and retain the house which is from heaven.-Ver. 6. Confident: that is, of immortality with Christ whenever the end

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

110 ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

may be. - Ver. 17. While passion, lust, pride, envy, avarice, or any worldly desire, rules in the breast of a Christian, ought he, after reading this passage, to be content till he have prayed for greater assistance from the Holy Spirit ?

Ver. 2. Isaiah, xlix. 8-Ver. 4. The narrative of the Acts, and allusions in other parts of the Epistles, afford abundant illustrations of the apostle's allusion here to his sufferings and labours.-Ver. 12. That is, we have no want of ardent affection for you, but you want confidence and love toward us. "Straitened in your own.

13 Now, for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what. fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what com munion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath be that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and i will be their God, and they shall be m people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daugh ters, saith the Lord Almighty.

CHAPTER VII.

HAVING therefore these pre mises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

3 I speak not this to condema you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within weere fears.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down. comforted us by the coming of Titus ;

7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me ; so that I rejoiced the more.

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made

bowels" would, in modern phraseology, be converted into an expression of the emotions of the heart.Ver. 14. 1 Cor. v. 9; Deut. vii. 2; 1 Sam. v. 2.-Ver. 16, 1 Cor. iii. 16; Heb. iii. 6; Lev. xxvi. 12; Ezek. xxxvii. 26. Ver. 17. Isaiah, lii. 11.-Ver. 18. Jer. xxxi. 1-9.

Ver. 1. A careful consideration of the privileges granted us, of the hopes which we are taught to cherish, and the dignity which belongs to us as the children of God through Christ, should eertainly lead us to the practice of all holiness and virtue, in the fear of him who hath called us from darkness into light. Ver. 3. The Corinthians had only grieved the apostle in part: they were still, therefore, as a people, the objects of his solicitous regard, and in the midst of the anxiety he suffered, he was filled with joy at hearing that many of them were faithfully obeying the spiritual truths he had taught them.-Ver. 5. Chapter ii. 13. Ver. 8. Chapter ii. 4.

you sorry, though it were but for a

season.

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

11 For, behold, this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this

matter.

12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

13 Therefore we were comforted In your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

CHAPTER VIII.

MOREOVER, brethren, we do

you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

3 For to their power, (I bear record,) yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves;

4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God:

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the

Ver. 4. Acts, xi. 29; Rom. xv. 26; 1 Cor. xvi. 1; Chapter ix. 1.Ver. 5. As we hoped: that is, as we

doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened;

14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality:

15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but, being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

21 Providing for bonest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you, or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

CHAPTER IX.

FOR as touching the ministering

to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof

expected; for they did more. -Ver. 15. Exod. xvi. 18. Ver. 18. St Luke, it is supposed, is here alluded to, chapter xii. 18.-Ver. 22. It is uncertain who this brother was. Some commentators suppose it was Apollos, others Silas, and others Sosthenes.

Ver. 2. On the Roman conquest of Greece, the country became divided into two great parts, the one called Achaia, the other Macedonia.

ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all-sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work :

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness :)

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13 (Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men ;)

14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

CHAPTER X.

NOW I Paul myself beseech you

by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh :

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds :)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, (which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction,) I should not be ashamed:

-Ver. 7. Deut. xv. 7; Exod. xxv. 2; xxxv. 5.-Ver. 9. Ps. cxii. 9.Ver. 10. Isa. Iv. 10.

Ver. 1. In presence: that is, in appearance, or the apostle may by this expression simply allude to what his enemies said of him.Ver. 4. Ephes. vi. 13; 1 Tim. i. 18; Acts, vii. 22.-Ver. 6. is, to punish the obstinate an! reprobate when the church itsf

That