Christian Classics
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Contents
PrefaceOur Lord's ParablesOur Lord's Discourses and ConversationsA Table of MeasuresA Table of WeightsMeasures of LiquidsMeasures of Dry ThingsIntroduction to MatthewThe Genealogy and Birth of ChristThe Wise Men and the Flight into EgyptJohn the Baptist and the Baptism of ChristThe Temptation, and Christ's Ministry in GalileeThe Sermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount:—Continued.The Sermon on the Mount:—Concluded.Miracles at Capernaum and on the SeaThe Ministry at CapernaumThe Call and Charge to the ApostlesThe Message from John the BaptistThe Pharisees Take Counsel Against and Seek to Destroy JesusSeven Parables of the KingdomThe Miracles Beyond and Upon the Sea of GalileeChrist and the Pharisees: The Woman of CanaanThe Foundation of the ChurchThe TransfigurationThe Greatest in the KingdomMarriage and Divorce; The Rich RulerThe Laborers in the Vineyard; The Ambitious MotherChrist Entering JerusalemThe Marriage of the King's Son; Attempts to Entrap the SaviorThe Last Appeal to IsraelThe Judgments on the Jewish NationThe End of the WorldThe Preparation for the Lord's DeathJesus CrucifiedThe ResurrectionIntroduction to MarkThe Beginning of the Ministry of ChristThe First Conflict with the Scribes and PhariseesBlasphemy Against the Holy SpiritTeaching in ParablesHealing the AfflictedThe First CommissionMaking Void the Law of GodIn the Coasts of Cæsarea PhilippiThe TransfigurationChrist's Law of DivorceThe Royal Entrance into JerusalemA Day of ControversyChrist's Discourse on the Last DaysThe Seizure, Trial, and Condemnation of ChristThe CrucifixionThe ResurrectionIntroduction to LukeThe Birth of JohnThe Birth of JesusJesus Anointed by the Holy SpiritThe Beginning of Christ's MinistryChrist Teaching and HealingThe Twelve Apostles ChosenThe Widow's Son Raised from the DeadSpeaking in ParablesThe TransfigurationThe Seventy Disciples Sent ForthRebuking the PhariseesVarious WarningsChrist Still TeachingTeaching in ParablesJoy of Repenting SinnersThe Rich Man and LazarusVarious Sayings of ChristParables Concerning PrayerThe Entrance into JerusalemA Day of ConflictDiscourse on the Last DaysThe Last SupperThe CrucifixionThe Risen LordIntroduction to the Gospel of JohnThe Beginning of Christ's MinistryThe First MiracleChrist and NicodemusJesus at SycharJesus in JerusalemChrist, the Bread of LifeJesus at the Feast of TabernaclesChrist Teaching in JerusalemThe Man Born BlindThe Good ShepherdLazarus Raised from the DeadThe Royal Entrance into JerusalemThe Lord Washes the Disciples' FeetJesus Comforts His DisciplesThe True VineThe Work of the Holy SpiritThe Lord's Prayer for His DisciplesJesus Betrayed and CondemnedThe CrucifixionThe ResurrectionThe Risen Lord at the Sea of GalileeIntroduction to the Acts of the ApostlesThe Acts of the Apostles · Chapter IThe Day of PentecostThe First PersecutionPeter and John Before the SanhedrimThe Sin and Punishment of Ananias and SapphiraStephen Seized and Called Before the SanhedrimThe Martyrdom of StephenThe Missionary Labors of PhilipThe Conversion of Saul of TarsusThe Doors of the Kingdom Opened to the GentilesPeter's Defence Before the Church at JerusalemPersecutions in JudeaThe Era of Gentile MissionsMissionary Labors in the Cities of Asia MinorThe Question of CircumcisionThe Gospel Carried into EuropePaul at AthensPaul at CorinthPaul at EphesusThe Second Visit to Europe and ReturnPaul Seized in the TemplePaul's Address to the Jews in the TemplePaul's Defence Before the SanhedrimPaul's Defence Before FelixThe Appeal to CæsarPaul's Address Before King AgrippaThe Sea Voyage to RomePaul at RomeIntroduction to the Epistle to the RomansIntroduction: The Morals of PaganismThe Sinfulness of the Jews; Their Need of the GospelThe Condemnation of IsraelAbraham Justified While Still a GentileReconciliation Through ChristDying and Living with ChristDeliverance from BondageThe Privileges of the Children of GodThe Rejection of the JewsThe Jews Excluded from UnbeliefThe Two Olive TreesChristian LifeThe Christians and CIVIL GovernmentDifferences of OpinionMutual Love and Forbearance EnjoinedPersonal SalutationsIntroduction to First CorinthiansThe Divisions in the Church Brought to LightChrist CrucifiedCarnal DivisionsThe Apostles and the ChurchImpurity in the ChurchLitigation Among BrethrenMarriageThe Duty of the Strong Toward Weaker BrethrenThe Apostleship of PaulWarnings Against IdolatryDress and Conduct in the ChurchSpiritual GiftsThe Greatest of All ThingsOrder in Public WorshipThe Resurrection from the DeadConcluding WordsIntroduction to Second CorinthiansPaul's Anxiety Over the Corinthian ChurchThe Repentance of the CorinthiansThe Two Covenants ComparedGlory Through SufferingThe House Not Made with HandsThe Apostolic MinistryThe Effect of Paul's First Letter at CorinthThe Grace of GivingLiberal and Cheerful GivingJudaizing False Teachers RebukedPaul and His AntagonistsPaul's Revelations and Thorn in the FleshConcluding WordsIntroduction to the Epistle to the GalatiansPaul's Apostleship of God, Not of MenThe Gospel Not Bondage to the LawJustification Belongeth to Abraham's Children by FaithThe Two CovenantsThe Fruits of the Flesh and of the SpiritConcluding AdmonitionsIntroduction to the Epistle to the EphesiansThe Foreordination of the ChurchThe Church Redeemed in ChristPaul's Office as Apostle to the GentilesThe Unity of the ChurchDuties Which Become the Children of GodThe Christian WarfareIntroduction to the Epistle to the PhilippiansGreetings from a Roman PrisonExhortation to a Holy LifeAttaining to the Power of the ResurrectionPrecepts for Christian LifeIntroduction to the Epistle to the ColossiansThe Epistle of Paul to the Colossians · Chapter IWarnings Against False TheoriesThe New Life in ChristFinal ExhortationIntroduction to the First Epistle to the ThessaloniansIntroductory GreetingsPaul's Ministry at ThessalonicaPaul's Feelings Toward the ThessaloniansExhortation to a Godly LifeClosing AdmonitionsIntroduction to the Second Epistle to the ThessaloniansGreetingsThe Man of SinClosing AdmonitionsIntroduction to the First Epistle to TimothyThe Work Assigned to TimothyDirections Concerning Public WorshipBishops and DeaconsA Falling Away PredictedThe Widows of the ChurchVarious Duties EnjoinedIntroduction to the Second Epistle to TimothyTimothy's Preparation for His WorkTo Be a Workman Approved of GodA Defection from the Truth ForetoldThe Last Solemn ChargeIntroduction to the Epistle to TitusDirections to TitusPractical Duties Versus Unsound DoctrineVarious Duties of Social LifeIntroduction to the Epistle to PhilemonThe Appeal of OnesimusIntroduction to the Epistle to the HebrewsChrist Greater Than Angels and ProphetsThe Superiority of the New DispensationChrist Superior to MosesThe Rest that Remaineth for the SaintsThe Superiority of Christ's PriesthoodGoing on Toward PerfectionChrist's Priesthood After the Order of MelchizedecThe Two TestamentsThe Old and New TestamentChrist's Sacrifice Offered Once for AllLiving by FaithPerseverance and the Christian RaceClosing AdmonitionsIntroduction to the General Epistle of JamesOn TemptationsFaith and WorksThe Control of the TongueControl of the PassionsWarnings to the RichIntroduction to the First Epistle General of PeterThe Gospel the Foreordained Purpose of GodThe Temple of Living StonesVarious Practical DutiesCounsels to Suffering SaintsConclusionIntroduction to the Second Epistle of PeterMaking the Calling and Election SureWarnings Against False TeachersThe End of All ThingsIntroduction to the First Epistle of JohnFellowship with GodThe New LifeChildren Born of GodTrying the SpiritsConclusionIntroduction to the Second Epistle of JohnThe EpistleIntroduction to the Third Epistle of JohnThe EpistleIntroduction to the Epistle of JudeThe Epistle (Jude 1:1) (Jude 1:2)Introduction to RevelationThe AuthorThe DateThe Real DateInternal TestimonyThe PlaceSystems of InterpretationTable of SymbolsThe Scope of RevelationDivisionsThe Vision of the Son of ManLetters to the Churches:The Epistles to the Seven Churches ContinuedThe Open Door in HeavenThe Book with Seven SealsThe Opening of the SealsThe Sealing of the Servants of GodThe Seventh Seal OpenedThe Woe TrumpetsThe Open BookThe Two WitnessesThe Vision of the ChurchThe Seven-Headed BeastThe Triumph of ChristAnother Great and Marvellous Sign in HeavenThe Seven Last PlaguesThe Judgment and the Great HarlotThe Doomed CityThe Marriage Supper of the LambThe MillenniumThe New JerusalemThe New Jerusalem (Continued): EpilogueKey Thoughts of the New Testament BooksQuotations from the Old Testament in the New TestamentI. In JudæaII. In SamariaIII. In GalileeIV. In PeræaV. DecapolisVI. In PhoeniciaVII. In SyriaVIII. In Asia MinorIX. In MacedoniaX. GreeceXI. In the Isles of the SeaXII. Italy

Barton Warren Johnson · 171 of 317

The Effect of Paul's First Letter at Corinth

Chapter VII

Summary —Paul's Freedom of Speech to the Corinthians. His Anxiety Until Titus Came. The Consolation of the News from Corinth. His Letter Produced Sorrow; Then . His Severe Words not Due to Ill-Will for the Offender, nor for Them, but to Lead Them to Clearing Themselves.

1. Having therefore these promises. Those named in the 17th and 18th verses of the preceding chapter. This verse is properly in that connection, and should not have been separated by the chapter division. Let us cleanse ourselves. See 6:17 above. From all filthiness of the flesh. All sensual sins, such as those to which the Corinthians were addicted. And of the spirit. The spirit of a man is defiled by such sins as those named in Gal. 5:19–21. Perfecting . Every Christian in purifying himself should strive for greater and constantly seek to attain to the ideal of which Christ is the example.

2–4. Receive us. Make room in your hearts for us and our admonitions. Compare 6:11–13. We wronged no man. In the severe charges of his first letter. We corrupted no man. Probably this is an answer to the vile insinuations of his adversaries at Corinth. 3. I say not this to condemn you. I do not accuse you of making these charges against me. Yet he knew well that they had been made by Judaizers and others at Corinth. I have said before. See 6:11, 12. What follows is an expression of undying affection. 4. Great is my boldness of speech, etc. This verse declares that he is overflowing with joyful feeling. The next section explains its cause.

5–7. For when we were come into Macedonia. He first came from Ephesus to Troas (2:12), and expected to meet Titus there with word from Corinth concerning the effect of his first letter. Not meeting him, he went on to Macedonia in great distress of mind. Our flesh had no rest. Compare with this 2:13. Without were fightings. Conflicts with enemies of Christ. Within were fears. Lest the church at Corinth might make shipwreck. 6. Nevertheless God … comforted us by the coming of Titus. Titus brought to him the joyful news of and reformation at Corinth. This news turned his affliction to joy. 7. Not by his coming only. He rejoiced to meet again a well-beloved fellow laborer, but rejoiced still more over the news which he brought. Your earnest desire. To cleanse themselves from fault. Your mourning. Over the reproof of their sins. Your mind toward me. Affection for and zeal to please me.

8–11. I do not . “Regret,” as in the Revision. The Greek word rendered in this verse, is not the one rendered in verses 9 and 10. The Revision preserves the distinction throughout. His first letter made them sorry, and at one time he regretted sending it, because he feared it would not work the result he wished, but since it had, he did not regret that he sent it. 9. Now I rejoice. Not because they were made sorry, but that their sorrow brought . Observe, (1) that regret is not ; (2) that sorrow is not ; (3) that godly sorrow (verse 10) works , or, in other words, results from godly sorrow, or sorrowing in a way pleasing to God. 10. Godly sorrow worketh to salvation, not to be of. The steps are (1) godly sorrow; (2) as a result of godly sorrow; (3) salvation secured by ; (4) this effect of is never regretted. See Revision. The difference of from sorrow and regret is seen when we bear in mind that it means the change of mind and heart wrought by godly sorrow for sin. The state implied by always leads to a change of life. The Common Version here and elsewhere has made confusion by translating two Greek words which mean different things by the same English term. One, rendered by the Revision “regret,” is found in Matt. 27:3, 5; the other, properly rendered “,” is found in Acts 2:38. The sorrow of the world. Not godly sorrow, but remorse. The sorrow of Judas was remorse. In the case of many besides Judas, it has resulted in despair, which has led to destruction of life, or to eternal death. 11. For behold this self-same thing. Here is proof that they “sorrowed after a godly sort.” They and brought forth the fruits of . What earnest care. No indifference any longer. What clearing of yourselves. From all responsibility for the sins of the incestuous person (1 Cor. 5:1, 2; 2 Cor. 2:6–8). What indignation. Against the deed that disgraced the church. What revenge. What punishment of the offense committed.

12–16. Though I wrote unto you, etc. The language that follows in this verse has caused some confusion. Paul evidently means to say that he did not write his stern charge, in 1 Corinthians, chapter 5, so much on account of the wrong doer, the incestuous person, nor on account of the person he had injured (his father), as to manifest his earnest care for the welfare of the church. 13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort. He still pours forth his joy over the happy change in the church, a joy due to his great affection for it. 14. For if I have boasted anything to him of you. If he had done so, their prompt showed that his boasting was well founded. 15. And his inward affection, etc. He had not been received with distrust or coldness or stubborn disobedience, but in a humble and Christian spirit, which had greatly increased his affection. 16. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you. Rather, that I am greatly encouraged concerning you.