Read Scripture In A Year: September 7

Passage 1: 2 Kings 13

(2Ki 13:1) In the three and twentieth yeere of Ioash the sonne of Ahaziah King of Iudah, Iehoahaz the sonne of Iehu began to reigne ouer Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seuenteene yeere.

(2Ki 13:2) And he did euil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat, which made Israel to sinne, and departed not therefrom.

(Notes Reference) And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to (a) sin; he departed not therefrom.

(a) By worshipping the calves Jeroboam erected in Israel.

(2Ki 13:3) And the Lord was angry with Israel, and deliuered them into the hand of Hazael King of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the sonne of Hazael, all his dayes.

(Notes Reference) And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all (b) [their] days.

(b) While Jehoahaz lived.

(2Ki 13:4) And Iehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord heard him: for he saw the trouble of Israel, wherewith the King of Aram troubled them.

(2Ki 13:5) (And the Lord gaue Israel a deliuerer, so that they came out from vnder the subiection of the Aramites. And the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before time.

(Notes Reference) (And the LORD gave Israel a (c) saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel (d) dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.

(d) Safely and without danger.

(2Ki 13:6) Neuerthelesse they departed not from the sinnes of the house of Ieroboam which made Israel sinne, but walked in them. euen the groue also remayned still in Samaria)

(Notes Reference) Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, [but] walked therein: and there remained the (e) grove also in Samaria.)

(e) In which they committed their idolatry, and which the Lord had commanded to be destroyed (Deu 16:21).

(2Ki 13:7) For he had left of the people to Iehoahaz but fiftie horsemen, and tenne charets, and tenne thousand footemen, because the King of Aram had destroyed them, and made them like dust beaten to pouder.

(Notes Reference) Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of (f) Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.

(f) That is, Hazael and Benhadad his son, (2Ki 13:3). Of Hazael read (2Ki 13:22).

(2Ki 13:8) Concerning the rest of the actes of Iehoahaz and all that he did, and his valiant deedes, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

(2Ki 13:9) And Iehoahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria, and Ioash his sonne reigned in his steade.

(2Ki 13:10) In the seuen and thirtieth yere of Ioash King of Iudah began Iehoash the sonne of Iehoahaz to reigne ouer Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteene yeere,

(Notes Reference) In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king (g) of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, [and reigned] sixteen years.

(g) His chief purpose is to describe the kingdom of Judah, and how God performed his promise made to the house of David: but in the process he shows how Israel was afflicted and punished for their great idolatry, who though they had now degenerated, yet God both by sending them many prophets and various punishments, called them to him again.

(2Ki 13:11) And did euil in the sight of the Lord: for he departed not from all the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat that made Israel to sinne, but he walked therein.

(2Ki 13:12) Concerning the rest of the actes of Ioash and all that he did, and his valiant deedes, and how he fought against Amaziah King of Iudah, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

(2Ki 13:13) And Ioash slept with his fathers, and Ieroboam sate vpon his seate: and Ioash was buryed in Samaria among the Kings of Israel.

(2Ki 13:14) When Elisha fell sicke of his sickenesse whereof he dyed, Ioash the King of Israel came downe vnto him, and wept vpon his face, and sayd, O my father, my father, the charet of Israel, and the horsemen of the same.

(Notes Reference) Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, (h) O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

(h) Thus they used to call the prophets and servants of God, by whom God blesses his people, as in (2Ki 2:12) meaning that they prospered their country more by their prayers than by force of arms.

(2Ki 13:15) Then Elisha sayde vnto him, Take a bowe and arrowes. And he tooke vnto him bowe and arrowes.

(2Ki 13:16) And he sayde to the King of Israel, Put thine hand vpon the bowe. And he put his hand vpon it. And Elisha put his hands vpon the Kings hands,

(2Ki 13:17) And saide, Open the windowe Eastward. And when he had opened it, Elisha said, Shoote. And he shot. And he sayd, Beholde the arrowe of the Lordes deliuerance and the arrowe of deliuerance against Aram: for thou shalt smite the Aramites in Aphek, till thou hast consumed them.

(Notes Reference) And he said, Open the window (i) eastward. And he opened [it]. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed [them].

(i) That is, toward Syria: so that he not only prophesied with words but also confirmed him by these signs that he would have the victory.

(2Ki 13:18) Againe he said, Take the arrowes. And he tooke them. And he sayde vnto the King of Israel, Smite the ground. And he smote thrise, and ceased.

(2Ki 13:19) Then the man of God was angry with him, and sayde, Thou shouldest haue smitten fiue or sixe times, so thou shouldest haue smitten Aram, till thou haddest consumed it, where nowe thou shalt smite Aram but thrise.

(Notes Reference) And the man of God was (k) wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed [it]: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria [but] thrice.

(k) Because he seemed content to have victory against the enemies of God two or three times but did not have the zeal to overcome them continually, and to destroy them completely.

(2Ki 13:20) So Elisha dyed, and they buryed him. And certaine bandes of the Moabites came into the land that yeere.

(2Ki 13:21) And as they were burying a man, behold, they saw the souldiers: therfore they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha. And when the man was downe, and touched the bones of Elisha, he reuiued and stoode vpon his feete.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band [of men]; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he (l) revived, and stood up on his feet.

(l) By this miracle God confirmed the authority of Elisha, whose doctrine in his life they contemned, that at this sight they might return and embrace the same doctrine.

(2Ki 13:22) But Hazael King of Aram vexed Israel all the dayes of Iehoahaz.

(2Ki 13:23) Therefore the Lord had mercy on them and pitied them, and had respect vnto them because of his couenant with Abraham, Izhak, and Iaakob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from him as yet.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as (m) yet.

(m) That is, until their sins were come to a full measure and there was no more hope of amendment.

(2Ki 13:24) So Hazael the King of Aram dyed: and Ben-hadad his sonne reigned in his stead.

(2Ki 13:25) Therefore Iehoash the sonne of Iehoahaz returned, and tooke out of the hand of Ben-hadad the sonne of Hazael the cities which he had taken away by warre out of the hand of Iehoahaz his father: for three times did Ioash beate him, and restored the cities vnto Israel.

Passage 2: Ezekiel 3

(Eze 3:1) Moreover he saide vnto me, Sonne of man, eate that thou findest: eate this roule, and goe, and speake vnto the house of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Moreover he said to me, Son of man, eat what thou findest; (a) eat this scroll, and go speak to the house of Israel.

(a) By which is meant that no one is fit to be God's messenger before he has received the word of God in his heart, as in (Eze 3:10) and has a zeal to it, and delight in it, as in (Jer 15:16; Rev 10:10).

(Eze 3:2) So I opened my mouth, and he gaue mee this roule to eate.

(Eze 3:3) And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, cause thy belly to eate, and fill thy bowels with this roule that I giue thee. Then did I eate it, and it was in my mouth as sweete as honie.

(Eze 3:4) And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, goe, and enter into the house of Israel, and declare them my wordes.

(Eze 3:5) For thou art not sent to a people of an vnknowen tongue, or of an hard language, but to the house of Israel,

(Eze 3:6) Not to many people of an vnknowen tongue, or of an harde language, whose wordes thou canst not vnderstand: yet if I should sende thee to them, they would obey thee.

(Eze 3:7) But the house of Israel will not obey thee: for they will not obey me: yea, all the house of Israel are impudent and stiffe hearted.

(Eze 3:8) Beholde, I haue made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead harde against their foreheads.

(Notes Reference) Behold, I have made thy (b) face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

(b) God promises his assistance to his ministers, and that he will give them boldness and constancy in their calling, (Isa 50:7; Jer 1:18; Mic 3:8).

(Eze 3:9) I haue made thy forehead as the adamant, and harder then the flint: feare them not therefore, neither be afraid at their lookes: for they are a rebellious house.

(Eze 3:10) He said moreouer vnto me, Sonne of man, receiue in thine heart al my words that I speake vnto thee, and heare them with thine eares,

(Notes Reference) Moreover he said to me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to thee (c) receive in thy heart, and hear with thy ears.

(c) He shows what is meant by the eating of the book, which is that the ministers of God may speak nothing from themselves, but only that which they have received from the Lord.

(Eze 3:11) And goe and enter to them that are led away captiues vnto the children of thy people, and speake vnto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God: but surely they will not heare, neither will they in deede cease.

(Eze 3:12) Then the spirite tooke me vp, and I heard behinde me a noise of a great russhing, saying, Blessed be ye glorie of the Lord out of his place.

(Notes Reference) Then the spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, [saying], (d) Blessed [be] the glory of the LORD from his place.

(d) By which he signifies that God's glory would not be diminished, although he departed out of his temple, for this declared that the city and temple would be destroyed.

(Eze 3:13) I heard also the noyse of the wings of the beasts, that touched one another, and the ratling of the wheeles that were by them, euen a noyse of a great russhing.

(Eze 3:14) So the spirit lift me vp, and tooke me away and I went in bitternesse, and indignation of my spirite, but the hand of the Lord was strong vpon me.

(Notes Reference) So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I (e) went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

(e) This shows that there is always an infirmity of the flesh which can never be ready to render full obedience to God, and also God's grace who ever assists his, and overcomes their rebellious affections.

(Eze 3:15) Then I came to them that were led away captiues to Tel-abib, that dwelt by the riuer Chebar, and I sate where they sate, and remained there astonished among them seuen dayes.

(Notes Reference) Then I came to them of the captivity at (f) Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there overwhelmed among them (g) seven days.

(f) Which was a place by Euphrates where the Jews were prisoners.

(g) Declaring here that God's ministers must with advisement and deliberation utter his judgments.

(Eze 3:16) And at the ende of seuen dayes, the worde of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

(Eze 3:17) Sonne of man, I haue made thee a watchman vnto the house of Israel: therefore heare the worde at my mouth, and giue them warning from me.

(Notes Reference) Son of man, I have made thee a (h) watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

(h) Of this read (Eze 33:2).

(Eze 3:18) When I shall say vnto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die, and thou giuest not him warning, nor speakest to admonish the wicked of his wicked way, that he may liue, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquitie: but his blood will I require at thine hande.

(Eze 3:19) Yet if thou warne the wicked, and he turne not from his wickednesse, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquitie, but thou hast deliuered thy soule.

(Eze 3:20) Likewise if a righteous man turne from his righteousnesse, and commit iniquitie, I will lay a stumbling blocke before him, and he shall die, because thou hast not giuen him warning: he shall die in his sinne, and his righteous deedes, which he hath done, shall not be remembred: but his blood will I require at thine hand.

(Notes Reference) Again, When a (i) righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a (k) stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his (l) righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand.

(i) If he that has been instructed in the right way turn back.

(k) I will give him up to a reprobate mind, (Rom 1:28).

(l) Which seemed to have been done in faith, and was not.

(Eze 3:21) Neuerthelesse, if thou admonish that righteous man, that the righteous sinne not, and that he doeth not sinne, he shall liue because he is admonished: also thou hast deliuered thy soule.

(Eze 3:22) And the hande of the Lord was there vpon me, and he said vnto me, Arise, and goe into the fielde, and I will there talke with thee.

(Notes Reference) And the (m) hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said to me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.

(m) That is, the Spirit of prophecy.

(Eze 3:23) So when I had risen vp, and gone foorth into the fielde, beholde, the glorie of the Lord stoode there, as the glorie which I sawe by the riuer Chebar, and I fell downe vpon my face.

(Notes Reference) Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the (n) glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.

(n) Meaning, the vision of the cherubims and the wheels.

(Eze 3:24) Then the Spirit entred into me, which set me vp vpon my feete, and spake vnto me, and said to me, Come, and shut thy selfe within thine house.

(Notes Reference) Then the spirit entered into me, and (o) set me upon my feet, and spoke with me, and said to me, Go, (p) shut thyself within thy house.

(o) Read (Jer 2:2).

(p) Signifying that not only would he not profit, but they would grievously trouble and afflict him.

(Eze 3:25) But thou, O sonne of man, beholde, they shall put bandes vpon thee, and shall binde thee with them, and thou shalt not goe out among them.

(Eze 3:26) And I will make thy tongue cleaue to the roofe of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dume, and shalt not be to them as a man that rebuketh: for they are a rebellious house.

(Notes Reference) And I will make thy tongue (q) cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they [are] a rebellious house.

(q) Which declares the terrible plague of the Lord, when God stops the mouths of his ministers and that all such are the rods of his vengeance that do it.

(Eze 3:27) But when I shall haue spoken vnto thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, He that heareth, let him heare, and he that leaueth off, let him leaue: for they are a rebellious house.

Passage 3: 2 Corinthians 10-11

(2Co 10:1) Nowe I Paul my selfe beseech you by the meekenes, and gentlenes of Christ, which when I am present among you am base, but am bolde toward you being absent:

(Notes Reference) Now (1) I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and (a) gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

(1) He returns to the defence of his apostleship, but in such a way that he uses his authority in his defence: for he warns them earnestly and gravely, using also terrible threatenings, to show themselves to be those who are able to be instructed. And he reviles certain proud men who made no better account of him, than of a bragging proud man, in that he used to be sharp against them when he was absent, because they saw no great majesty in him after the manner of men; and besides, he had proved his gentleness, even though in his absence he had written to them sharply. Therefore first of all he professes that he was gentle and moderate, but after the example of Christ: but if they continue still to despise his gentleness, he protests to them that he will show indeed how far they are deceived, who judge the office of an apostle in the same way that they judge worldly offices, that is, according to the outward appearance.

(a) That nature which is inclined to mercy, rather than to rigor of justice.

(2Co 10:2) And this I require you, that I neede not to be bolde when I am present, with that same confidence, wherewith I thinke to bee bolde against some, which esteeme vs as though wee walked according to the flesh.

(Notes Reference) 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 (b) according to the flesh.

(b) As though I had no other aid and help than that which outwardly I seem to have: and therefore Paul contrasts his flesh, that is, his weak condition and state, with his spiritual and apostolic dignity.

(2Co 10:3) Neuerthelesse, though wee walke in the flesh, yet we doe not warre after the flesh.

(Notes Reference) (2) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(2) Secondly, he witnesses that although he is similar to other men, yet he comes furnished with that strength which no defence of man can match, whether they resist by craft and deceit, or by force and might, because he battles with divine weapons.

(2Co 10:4) (For the weapons of our warrefare are not carnall, but mightie through God, to cast downe holdes)

(Notes Reference) (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not (c) carnal, but mighty through (d) God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

(d) Stand upon the foundation of God's infinite power.

(2Co 10:5) Casting downe the imaginations, and euery high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ,

(Notes Reference) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, (3) and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(3) An amplification of this spiritual power, which conquers the enemies in such a way, be they ever so crafty and mighty, that it brings some of them by repentance to Christ, and justly avenges others that are stubbornly obstinate, separating them from the others who allow themselves to be ruled.

(2Co 10:6) And hauing ready the vengeance against all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

(2Co 10:7) Looke yee on things after the appearance? If any man trust in himselfe that hee is Christes, let him consider this againe of himself, that as he is Christes, euen so are we Christes.

(Notes Reference) (4) Do ye look on things after the (e) outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of (f) himself think this again, that, as he [is] Christ's, even so [are] we Christ's.

(4) He emphasises the same matter with very weighty words and sentences.

(e) Do you judge things according to the outward appearance?

(f) Not being told about it by me.

(2Co 10:8) For though I shoulde boast somewhat more of our authoritie, which the Lord hath giuen vs for edification, and not for your destruction, I should haue no shame.

(2Co 10:9) This I say, that I may not seeme as it were to feare you with letters.

(2Co 10:10) For the letters, sayeth hee, are sore and strong, but his bodily presence is weake, and his speache is of no value.

(Notes Reference) For [his] letters, say (g) they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.

(g) He notes out those who were the cause of these words.

(2Co 10:11) Let such one thinke this, that such as wee are in woorde by letters, when we are absent, such wil we be also in deede, when we are present.

(2Co 10:12) For wee dare not make our selues of the nomber, or to compare our selues to them, which praise themselues: but they vnderstand not that they measure themselues with themselues, and compare themselues with themselues.

(Notes Reference) (5) For we (h) dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by (i) themselves, and (k) comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

(5) Being forced to refute the foolish braggings of certain ambitious men, he witnesses that they are able to bring nothing, but that they falsely think highly of themselves. And as for himself, although he brags of excellent things, yet he will not pass the bounds which God has measured him out. And according to these bounds he came even to them in preaching the Gospel of Christ, and trusts that he will go further, when they have so profited that he will not need to remain any longer among them to instruct them. And to this is added an amplification, in that he never followed the labours of other men.

(h) This is spoken in a taunting manner.

(i) Upon a vain persuasion that they have of themselves, they attribute to themselves anything at all.

(k) They condemn others, and measure all their doings only by themselves.

(2Co 10:13) But we wil not reioyce of things, which are not within our measure, but according to the measure of the line, whereof God hath distributed vnto vs a measure to attaine euen vnto you.

(Notes Reference) But we will not boast of things without [our] (l) measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

(l) Of those things which God has not measured to me.

(2Co 10:14) For we stretche not our selues beyonde our measure, as though wee had not attained vnto you: for euen to you also haue we come in preaching the Gospel of Christ,

(2Co 10:15) Not boasting of things which are without our measure: that is, of other mens labours: and we hope, when your faith shall increase, to bee magnified by you according to our line aboundantly,

(Notes Reference) Not boasting of things (m) without [our] measure, [that is], of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

(m) As though God had divided the whole world among the apostles to be governed.

(2Co 10:16) And to preache the Gospel in those regions which are beyonde you: not to reioyce in another mans line, that is, in the thinges that are prepared alreadie.

(Notes Reference) To preach the gospel in the [regions] beyond you, [and] not to boast in (n) another man's line of things made ready to our hand.

(n) In countries which other men have prepared and cultivated with the preaching of the Gospel.

(2Co 10:17) But let him that reioyceth, reioyce in the Lord.

(Notes Reference) (6) But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

(6) He somewhat moderates that which he spoke of himself, and in so doing also prepares the Corinthians to hear other things, witnessing that he seeks nothing else but to approve himself to God, whose glory alone he seeks.

(2Co 10:18) For hee that praiseth himselfe, is not alowed, but he whome the Lord praiseth.

(2Co 11:1) Woulde to God, yee coulde suffer a litle my foolishnes, and in deede, ye suffer me.

(Notes Reference) Would (1) to God ye could bear with me a little in [my] folly: and indeed bear with me.

(1) He grants that in a way he is playing the fool in this exalting of things, but he adds that he does it against his will for their profit, because he sees them deceived by certain vain and crafty men, through the craft and subtilty of Satan.

(2Co 11:2) For I am ielous ouer you, with godly ielousie: for I haue prepared you for one husband, to present you as a pure virgine to Christ:

(Notes Reference) For I am jealous over you with (a) godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may (b) present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.

(a) He speaks as one who woos them, but yet as one that seeks them not for himself, but for God.

(b) To marry you together.

(2Co 11:3) But I feare least as the serpent beguiled Eue through his subtiltie, so your mindes shoulde be corrupt from the simplicitie that is in Christ.

(Notes Reference) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be (c) corrupted from the simplicity that is in (d) Christ.

(c) This passage is to be noted against those who hate the plain and pure simplicity of the scriptures, in comparison of the elegance and fluency of man's eloquence.

(d) Which is proper for those who are in Christ.

(2Co 11:4) For if he that commeth, preacheth another Iesus whome we haue not preached: or if yee receiue another spirite whome ye haue not receiued: either another Gospell, which yee haue not receiued, ye might well haue suffered him.

(Notes Reference) (2) For if he that cometh preacheth (e) another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].

(2) He shows that they deceive themselves, if they look to receive from any other man, either a more excellent Gospel, or more excellent gifts of the Holy Spirit.

(e) A more perfect doctrine of Jesus Christ.

(2Co 11:5) Verely I suppose that I was not inferior to the very chiefe Apostles.

(2Co 11:6) And though I be rude in speaking, yet I am not so in knowledge, but among you wee haue beene made manifest to the vttermost, in all things.

(Notes Reference) (3) But though [I be] (f) rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

(3) He refutes the slanders of those boastful and proud men. I grant, he says, that I am not so eloquent an orator, but yet they cannot take away the knowledge of the Gospel from me, of which you have had good proof, and that in every manner of way.

(f) Paul did not lack the type of eloquence which is proper for a man, and fit for the Gospel, but he willingly lacked that eloquent type of speech, which too many now a days search after and follow.

(2Co 11:7) Haue I committed an offence, because I abased my selfe, that ye might be exalted, and because I preached to you ye Gospell of God freely?

(Notes Reference) (4) Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

(4) Another slander, that is, that he was a rascal, and lived by the labour of his own hands. But in this, the apostle says, what can you lay against me, except that I was content to take any pains for your sakes? For when I lacked, I travailed for my living with my own hands. And also when poverty forced me, I chose rather to seek my sustenance than to be any burden to you, even though I preached the Gospel to you.

(2Co 11:8) I robbed other Churches, and tooke wages of them to doe you seruice.

(2Co 11:9) And when I was present with you, and had neede, I was not slouthfull to the hinderance of any man: for that which was lacking vnto me, the brethre which came from Macedonia, supplied, and in all thinges I kept and will keepe my selfe, that I should not be grieuous to you.

(Notes Reference) And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all [things] I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, (5) and [so] will I keep [myself].

(5) An amplification: so far is he from being ashamed of this act, that he has also resolved with himself to act in no other way while he is among them, in order that it may always be truly said that he taught in Achaia for nothing. And this is not because he disdains the Corinthians, but rather so that these proud and boastful men may never find the occasion which they have already sought for, and he in the meantime may set something before the Corinthians to follow, so that at length they may truly say that they are like Paul.

(2Co 11:10) The trueth of Christ is in me, that this reioycing shall not be shut vp against me in the regions of Achaia.

(Notes Reference) As the (g) truth of Christ is in me, no man shall (h) stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

(g) This is a form of an oath, as if he said, "Let me not be thought to have any truth in me."

(h) Will be always open to me.

(2Co 11:11) Wherefore? because I loue you not? God knoweth.

(2Co 11:12) But what I doe, that will I doe: that I may cut away occasion from them which desire occasion, that they might be found like vnto vs in that wherein they reioyce.

(Notes Reference) But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they (i) glory, they may be found even as we.

(i) Paul's adversaries sought all occasions they could to be equal to him. And therefore seeing they had rather live off the Corinthians then preach to them for nothing, they sought another occasion, that is, to make Paul take something. And if he had done this, then they hoped by this means to be equal to him. For they made such a show of zeal and knowledge, and set it forth with such a flattering type of eloquence, that some of them even despised Paul. But he shows that all this is nothing but frivolities and pretensions.

(2Co 11:13) For such false apostles are deceitfull workers, and transforme themselues into the Apostles of Christ.

(Notes Reference) (6) For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

(6) Now at length he portrays these fellows as they truly are, forewarning that it will come to pass that they will at length betray themselves, no matter how they may be pretending that they have a zeal for God's glory.

(2Co 11:14) And no marueile: for Satan himselfe is transformed into an Angel of light.

(Notes Reference) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of (k) light.

(k) By light is meant the heavenly glory, of which the angels are partakers.

(2Co 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transforme themselues, as though they were the ministers of righteousnes, whose end shall be according to their workes.

(2Co 11:16) I say againe, Let no man thinke that I am foolish, or els take mee euen as a foole, that I also may boast my selfe a litle.

(Notes Reference) (7) I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.

(7) He goes forward boldly, and using a vehement irony or type of taunting, desires the Corinthians to pardon him, if for a time he argues as a fool before them, who are wise, along with those other wise ones, as he talks about those external things such as his stock, his ancestors, and valiant acts.

(2Co 11:17) That I speake, I speake it not after the Lord: but as it were foolishly, in this my great boasting.

(2Co 11:18) Seeing that many reioyce after the flesh, I will reioyce also.

(2Co 11:19) For ye suffer fooles gladly, because that yee are wise.

(2Co 11:20) For ye suffer, euen if a man bring you into bondage, if a man deuoure you, if a man take your goods, if a man exalt himselfe, if a man smite you on the face.

(Notes Reference) (8) For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour [you], if a man take [of you], if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

(8) Before he comes to the matter, he talks directly to the Corinthians, who persuading themselves to be very wise men, did not mark in the meanwhile that those false apostles had abused their simplicity for advantage.

(2Co 11:21) I speake as concerning the reproche: as though that we had bene weake: but wherein any man is bold (I speake foolishly) I am bold also.

(Notes Reference) I speak as concerning (l) reproach, as though we had been (m) weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.

(l) As if he said, "In respect of that reproach which they do to you, which surely is as evil as if they beat you."

(m) Paul is called weak, in that he seems to be to the Corinthians a vile and abject man, a beggarly craftsman, a most wretched and miserable idiot, whereas in reality God's mighty power was made manifest in that.

(2Co 11:22) They are Hebrues, so am I: they are Israelites, so am I: they are the seede of Abraham, so am I:

(2Co 11:23) They are the ministers of Christ (I speake as a foole) I am more: in labours more aboundant: in stripes aboue measure: in prison more plenteously: in death oft.

(Notes Reference) Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] (n) more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in (o) deaths oft.

(n) Paul being honourable indeed, defends his ministry openly, not for his own sake, but because he saw his doctrine come into danger.

(o) In danger of present death.

(2Co 11:24) Of the Iewes fiue times receiued I fourtie stripes saue one.

(Notes Reference) Of the Jews (p) five times received I forty [stripes] save one.

(p) He alludes to that which is written in (Deu 25:3). And moreover this place shows us that Paul suffered many more things which Luke omitted in writing Acts.

(2Co 11:25) I was thrise beaten with roddes: I was once stoned: I suffered thrise shipwracke: night and day haue I bene in the deepe sea.

(Notes Reference) (q) Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

(q) By the Roman magistrates.

(2Co 11:26) In iourneying I was often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine owne nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the citie, in perils in wildernes, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren,

(2Co 11:27) In wearinesse and painefulnesse, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in colde and in nakednesse.

(Notes Reference) In weariness and (r) painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

(r) Painfulness is a troublesome sickness, as when a man who is weary and wants rest is forced to begin new labour.

(2Co 11:28) Beside the thinges which are outwarde, I am combred dayly, and haue the care of all the Churches.

(Notes Reference) (9) Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

(9) He further adds this in conclusion, that the Corinthians should be ashamed to despise him upon whose care almost all churches depended, as it was plainly seen by experience.

(2Co 11:29) Who is weake, and I am not weake? who is offended, and I burne not?

(2Co 11:30) If I must needes reioyce, I will reioyce of mine infirmities.

(Notes Reference) (10) If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

(10) He turns that against the adversaries which they objected against him: as if he should say, "They allege my calamities to take away my authority from me: but if I would boast myself, I could use no better argument. And God himself is my witness that I am not making up or forging anything."

(2Co 11:31) The God, euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which is blessed for euermore, knoweth that I lie not.

(2Co 11:32) In Damascus the gouernour of the people vnder King Aretas, layde watch in the citie of the Damascens, and would haue caught me.

(2Co 11:33) But at a window was I let downe in a basket through the wall, and escaped his handes.