The success of advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12 Furthermore, when I · came to Troas to preach Christ's Gospel, and a 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. Chap. iii. 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge c by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God d a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. 16 To the one we are the Paul's preaching, savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life; and who is sufficient for these things? e Savour of bis knowledge, or the knowledge of him. Savour signifies smell or odour; but to understand the word in this and the following verses, we should recollect, that St. Paul here uses it in allusion to the ancient triumphs, which were celebrated in honour of distinguished generals, when they returned home victorious from the field of battle. On these occasions the streets, through which the victor and his train passed, were strewed with flowers, which filled the air with a grateful odour. Behind the triumphal car followed the most noted captives in chains; of these, some had their lives spared ; others were put to death immediately after the procession ended; so that to the one, the sweet fragrance of the flowers was a savour of death, to the other, a savour of life. d For we are THRough Goll, &c, 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. CHAP. III. 1 A commendation of Paul's ministry. 6 A comparison between the ministers of the law and the Gospel. 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 we have 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 hath also made us able ministers of the new testament ;a not of the letter,b a New testament, the merciful dispensation of the Gospel. b Not of the letter, not of the written law, given from Sinai, which passed sentence of death on every sinner, whether penitent or not. 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 steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: and Gospel. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 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. 1 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glori ous. 14 But their minds were blinded; for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which rail is done away in Christ. 16 Nevertheless, when ite shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. d The ministration of death, the law given to Moses. 17 Now, the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding 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. CHAP. IV. Paul's sincerity and dili gence in preaching, 7 and his troubles for the same. THEREFORE, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received merey 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. # But of the spirit, the new or gos selves, but Christ Jesus the 5 For we preach not our pel covenant. e When it, when their heart. 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 us, but life in you. 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, & therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; in 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with in afflictions, &c. ing 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. you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiv 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 things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. CHAP. V. 1 In hope of immortal glory, 9 and in expectance of it, and of the general judgment, he laboureth to keep a good conscience. 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. Of immortal glory. II. Corinthians. Reconciliation in Christ. 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.a 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:)b 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 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. a The earnest, the pledge or assurance of the Spirit. b For we walk, we are supported by faith, by the belief of the world to come, and not by the sight of earthly objects. 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 :c 15 And that he died for all, that 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;d 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,e 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 am bassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; |
