Beginning

Footnotes

1. 2 Corinthians 1:1 See the declaration of such salutations in the former Epistles.
2. 2 Corinthians 1:3 He beginneth after his manner with thanksgiving, which notwithstanding (otherwise than he was wont) he applieth to himself: beginning his Epistle with the setting forth of the dignity of his Apostleship, constrained (as it should seem) by their importunity, which took an occasion to despise him by reason of his miseries. But he answereth that he is not so afflicted, but that his comforts do exceed his afflictions, showing the ground of them, even the mercy of God the Father in Jesus Christ.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:3 To him be praise and glory given.
4. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Most merciful.
5. 2 Corinthians 1:4 The Lord doth comfort us to this end and purpose, that we may so much the more surely comfort others.
6. 2 Corinthians 1:5 The miseries which we suffer for Christ, or which Christ suffereth in us.
7. 2 Corinthians 1:6 He denieth that either his afflictions wherewith he was often afflicted, or the consolations which he received of God, may justly be despised, seeing that the Corinthians both might and ought to take great occasion to be confirmed by either of them.
8. 2 Corinthians 1:6 Although salvation be given us freely, yet because there is a way appointed us wherewith we must come to it, which is the race of an innocent and upright life, which we must run, therefore we are said to work our salvation, Philippians 2:12. And because it is God only that of his free good will worketh all things in us, therefore is he said to work the salvation in us by those selfsame things by which we must pass to everlasting life, after that we have once overcome all encumbrances.
9. 2 Corinthians 1:8 He witnesseth that he is not only not ashamed of his afflictions, but that he desireth also to have all men know the greatness of them, and also his delivery from them, although it be not yet perfect.
10. 2 Corinthians 1:8 I know not at all what to do, neither did I see by man’s help which way to save my life.
11. 2 Corinthians 1:9 I was resolved within myself to die.
12. 2 Corinthians 1:10 From these great dangers.
13. 2 Corinthians 1:11 That he may not seem to boast himself, he attributeth all to God, and therewith also confesseth that he attributeth much to the prayers of the faithful.
14. 2 Corinthians 1:11 The end of the afflictions of the Saints, is the glory of God, and therefore they ought to be precious unto us.
15. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Secondly he putteth away another slander, to wit, that he was a light man, and such a one as was not lightly to be credited, seeing that he promised to come unto them, and came not. And first he speaks of the simplicity of his mind, and sincerity, which they know both by his voice when he was present, and they ought to acknowledge it also in his letters, being absent: and moreover he protesteth that he will never be otherwise.
16. 2 Corinthians 1:12 With clearness, and holy and true plainness of mind, as God himself can witness.
17. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Trusting to that very wisdom, which God of his free goodness hath given me from heaven.
18. 2 Corinthians 1:13 He saith he writeth barely and simply: for he that writeth in colored sort, is rightly said to write otherwise than we read: and this he saith the Corinthians shall know and like of very well.
19. 2 Corinthians 1:13 Perfectly.
20. 2 Corinthians 1:14 Paul’s rejoicing in the Lord was, that he had won the Corinthians: and they themselves rejoiced that such an Apostle was their instructor, and taught them so purely and sincerely.
21. 2 Corinthians 1:14 When he shall sit as judge.
22. 2 Corinthians 1:15 Another benefit.
23. 2 Corinthians 1:17 He putteth away their slander and false report by denying it, and first of all in that divers went about to persuade the Corinthians, that in the preaching of the Gospel, Paul agreed not to himself: for this was the matter and the case.
24. 2 Corinthians 1:17 As men do, which will rashly promise anything, and change their purpose at every turning of an hand.
25. 2 Corinthians 1:17 That I should say and unsay a thing?
26. 2 Corinthians 1:18 He calleth God to witness, and for judge of his constancy in preaching and teaching one selfsame Gospel.
27. 2 Corinthians 1:18 True, and of whose faithfulness it [were] horrible wickedness to doubt.
28. 2 Corinthians 1:19 He joineth also with himself, his fellows as witnesses, with whom he fully consented in teaching one selfsame thing, to wit, one selfsame Christ.
29. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Was not divers and wavering.
30. 2 Corinthians 1:19 That is in God.
31. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Last of all he declareth the sum of his doctrine, to wit, that all the promises of salvation are sure and ratified in Christ.
32. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Christ is set also forth to exhibit and fulfill them all most assuredly, and without all doubt.
33. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Through our ministry.
34. 2 Corinthians 1:21 He attributeth the praise of this constancy, only to the grace of God, through the holy Ghost, and therewithall concludeth that they cannot doubt of his faith, and his fellows, without doing injury to the Spirit of God, seeing that they themselves do know all this to be true.
35. 2 Corinthians 1:22 An earnest, is, whatsoever is given to confirm a promise.
36. 2 Corinthians 1:23 Now coming to the matter, he sweareth, that he did not only, not lightly alter his purpose of coming to them, but rather that he came not unto them for this cause, that he might not be constrained to deal more sharply, with them being present, than he would.
37. 2 Corinthians 1:23 Against myself and to the danger of mine own life.
38. 2 Corinthians 1:24 He removeth all suspicion of arrogance, declaring that he speaketh not as a Lord unto them, but as a servant, appointed of God to comfort them.
39. 2 Corinthians 1:24 He setteth the joy and peace of conscience, which God is author of, against tyrannous fear, and therewithall showeth the end of the Gospel.
40. 2 Corinthians 2:1 Causing grief amongst you, which he should have done if he had come to them before they had repented them.
41. 2 Corinthians 2:3 For I trusted that you would take that out of the way forewith, which you knew I was discontented with, considering how you are persuaded that my joy is your joy.
42. 2 Corinthians 2:5 He passeth to another part of this Epistle: which notwithstanding is put amongst the first, whereunto he returneth afterward, and he handleth the releasing and unloosing of the incestuous person, because he seemed to have given sufficient testimony of his repentance: showing the true use of excommunication, to wit, that it proceed not of hatred, but of love, and so ends lest if we keep no measure, we serve Satan the devil.
43. 2 Corinthians 2:5 As if he said, All that sorrow is so clean wiped away, as though he had never felt it.
44. 2 Corinthians 2:5 As for me (saith Paul) I have no more to do with him.
45. 2 Corinthians 2:5 Lest I should overcharge him, who is burdened enough of himself, which I would be glad were taken from him.
46. 2 Corinthians 2:7 That whereas before you punished him sharply, you would now forgive him.
47. 2 Corinthians 2:8 That at my entreaty, you would declare by the consent of the whole Church, that you take him again for a brother.
48. 2 Corinthians 2:10 Truly and from the heart.
49. 2 Corinthians 2:11 Of his mischievous counsel and devilish will.
50. 2 Corinthians 2:12 He returneth to the confirmation of his Apostleship, and bringeth forth the testimonies, both of his labor, and also of God’s blessing.
51. 2 Corinthians 2:14 He alludeth to the anointing of the Priests, and the incense of the sacrifices.
52. 2 Corinthians 2:15 He denieth that ought should be taken away from the dignity of his Apostleship, because they saw evidently that it was not received with like success in every place, nay rather very many rejected and detested him, seeing that he preacheth Christ, not only as a Savior of them that believe, but also as a Judge of them that condemn him.
53. 2 Corinthians 2:16 Again, he putteth away all suspicion of arrogance, attributing all things that he did, to the virtue of God, whom he serveth sincerely, and without all dishonest affection: whereof he maketh them witnesses even to verse 6 of the next chapter.
54. 2 Corinthians 2:17 We do not handle it craftily and covetously, or less sincerely than we ought: and he useth a metaphor which is taken from hucksters, which used to play the false harlots with whatsoever cometh into their hands.
55. 2 Corinthians 3:3 The Apostle frameth his speech wisely, that by little and little he may come from the commendation of the person, to the matter itself.
56. 2 Corinthians 3:3 Which I took pains to write as it were.
57. 2 Corinthians 3:3 By the way he setteth the virtue of God, against the ink wherewith Epistles are commonly written, to show that it was wrought by God.
58. 2 Corinthians 3:3 He alludeth by the way, to the comparison of the outward ministry of the Priesthood of Levi, with the ministry of the Gospel, and the Apostolic ministry, which he handleth afterward more fully.
59. 2 Corinthians 3:4 This boldness we show, and thus gloriously may we boast of the worthiness and fruit of our ministry.
60. 2 Corinthians 3:5 In that we are fit and meet to make other men partakers of so great a grace.
61. 2 Corinthians 3:6 He amplifieth his ministry and his fellows: that is to say, the ministry of the Gospel, comparing it with the ministry of the Law, which he considereth in the person of Moses, by whom the Law was given: against whom he setteth Christ the author of the Gospel. Now this comparison is taken from the very substance of the ministry. The Law is as it were a writing of itself dead, and without efficacy: but the Gospel, or new covenant, is as it were the very virtue of God itself, in renewing, justifying, and saving men. The Law propoundeth death, accusing all men of unrighteousness: The Gospel offereth and giveth righteousness and life. The governance of the Law served for a time to the promise: The Gospel remaineth to the end of the world. Therefore what is the glory of that in comparison of the majesty of this?
62. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Not of the Law, but of the Gospel.
63. 2 Corinthians 3:7 Imprinted and engraven: so that by this place we may plainly perceive, that the Apostle speaketh not of the ceremonies of the Law, but even of the ten commandments.
64. 2 Corinthians 3:7 This word Glory, betokeneth a brightness, and a majesty, which was bodily in Moses, but spiritually in Christ.
65. 2 Corinthians 3:8 Whereby God offereth, yea and giveth the Spirit, not as a dead thing, but a quickening Spirit, working life.
66. 2 Corinthians 3:9 To wit, of Christ, which being imputed to us as our own, we are not only not condemned, but also we are crowned as righteous.
67. 2 Corinthians 3:11 The Law, yea, and the ten commandments themselves, together with Moses, is abolished, if we consider the ministry of Moses apart by itself.
68. 2 Corinthians 3:12 He showeth wherein standeth this glory of the preaching of the Gospel, to wit, in that that it setteth forth plainly and evidently, that which the Law showeth darkly, for it sent them that heard it to be healed of Christ, which was to come, after it had wounded them.
69. 2 Corinthians 3:13 He expoundeth by the way the allegory of Moses’ covering, which was a token of the darkness and weakness that is in men, which were rather dulled by the bright shining of the Law, then lightened, which covering was taken away by the coming of Christ, who lighteneth the hearts, and turneth them to the Lord, that we may be brought from the slavery of this blindness, and set in the liberty of the light, by the virtue of Christ’s Spirit.
70. 2 Corinthians 3:13 Into the very bottom of Moses’ ministry.
71. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Christ is that spirit which taketh away that covering, by working in our hearts, whereunto also the Law itself called us, though in vain, because it speaketh to dead men, until the spirit quickeneth us.
72. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Going forwards in the allegory of the covering, he compareth the Gospel to a glass, which although it be most bright and sparkling, yet doth it not only not dazzle their eyes, which look in it, as the law doth, but also transformeth them with its beams, so that they also be partakers of the glory and shining of it, to lighten others: as Christ said unto his, You are the light of the world, whereas he himself was the only light. We are also commanded in another place, to shine as candles before the world, because we are partakers of God’s Spirit. But Paul speaketh here properly, of the ministers of the Gospel, as it appeareth both by that that goeth before, and that that cometh after, and that, setting them his own example and his fellows.
73. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Now he plainly witnesseth that both he and his fellows (through the mercy of God) do their vocation and duty uprightly and sincerely, neglecting all dangers.
74. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Though we are broken in pieces with miseries and calamities, yet we yield not.
75. 2 Corinthians 4:2 Subtlety, and all kinds of deceit, which men hunt after, as it were dens and lurking holes, to cover their shameless dealings withall.
76. 2 Corinthians 4:2 This is it that in the former Chapter he called, making merchandise of the word of God.
77. 2 Corinthians 4:3 An objection: Many hear the Gospel, and yet are no more lightened thereby than by the preaching of the Law. He answereth, The fault is in the men themselves, whose eyes Satan plucketh out, who ruleth in this world. And yet notwithstanding doth he and his fellows set forth the most clear light of the Gospel to be seen and beholden, seeing that Christ whom only they preach, is he in whom only God will be known, and as it were seen.
78. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The light of plain and lightsome preaching, which telleth forth the glory of Christ.
79. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the Father setteth forth himself to be seen and beholden.
80. 2 Corinthians 4:5 He removeth according to his accustomed manner, all suspicion of ambition: avouching that he teacheth faithfully, but as a servant, and witnessing that all this light which he and his fellows give to others, proceedeth from the Lord.
81. 2 Corinthians 4:5 To preach this selfsame Jesus to you.
82. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Which made only with his word.
83. 2 Corinthians 4:6 That being lightened of God, we should in like sort give that light to others.
84. 2 Corinthians 4:7 He taketh away a stumbling block, by which was darkened, amongst some, the bright shining of the ministry of the Gospel, to wit, because the Apostles were the most miserable of all men, Paul answereth that he and his fellows are as it were earthen vessels, but yet there is in them a most precious treasure.
85. 2 Corinthians 4:7 He bringeth marvelous reasons, why the Lord doth so afflict his chiefest servants, to the end saith he that all men may perceive that they stand not by any man’s virtue, but by the singular virtue of God, in that they die a thousand times, but never perish.
86. 2 Corinthians 4:10 An amplification of the former sentence, wherein he compareth his afflictions to a daily death, and the virtue of the Spirit of God in Christ, to life, which oppresseth that death.
87. 2 Corinthians 4:10 So Paul calleth that miserable estate and condition, that the faithful, but especially the minsters, are in.
88. 2 Corinthians 4:11 Which live, that life, to wit, by the Spirit of Christ, amongst so many and so great miseries.
89. 2 Corinthians 4:11 Subject to that miserable condition.
90. 2 Corinthians 4:12 A very cunning conclusion: as if he would say, Therefore to be short, we die, that you may live by our death, for that they ventured into all those dangers for the building of the Church’s sake, and they ceased not to confirm all the faithful with the examples of their patience.
91. 2 Corinthians 4:13 He declareth the former sentence, showing that he and his fellows die in a sort to purchase life to others, but yet notwithstanding they are partakers of the same life with them: because they themselves do first believe that, which they propound to others to believe, to wit, that they also shall be saved together with them in Christ.
92. 2 Corinthians 4:13 The same faith by the inspiration of the same Spirit.
93. 2 Corinthians 4:15 He showeth how this constancy is preserved in them, to wit, because they respect God’s glory, and the salvation of the Churches committed unto them.
94. 2 Corinthians 4:15 When it shall please God to deliver me, and restore me to you, that exceeding benefit which shall be poured upon me, shall in like sort redound to the glory of God, by the thanksgiving of many.
95. 2 Corinthians 4:16 He addeth as it were a triumphant song, how that he is outwardly afflicted, but inwardly he profiteth daily: and passeth not at all for all the miseries that may be sustained in this life, in comparison of that most constant and eternal glory.
96. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Gathereth new strength, that the outward man be not overcome with the miseries which come freshly one upon the neck of another, being maintained and upholden with the strength of the inward man.
97. 2 Corinthians 4:17 Afflictions are not called light, as though they were light of themselves, but because they pass away quickly, when as indeed our whole life is of no long continuance.
98. 2 Corinthians 4:17 Which remaineth forever firm and stable, and can never be shaken.