An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

CHAP. I.

THere are two parts of the Chapter, besides the in∣scription of the Epistle; in the former hee removes the scandal of the Cross and afflictions, wherewith hee was not long since oppressed, to vers. 12. In the second part, hee removes the suspicion of an alienated mind from the Corinthians, to the end.

The Inscription of the Epistle which is instead of an Ex∣ordium, vers. 1. & 2. serves to prepare the minds of the Corinthians, for receiving the things which hee wrote, intimating five Reasons to that end.

Vers. 1. Paul an Apostle of Iesus 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;

The first Reason: Because Paul the Author of the E∣pistle▪ was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and of chiefest Au∣thority in the Church. Reason 2. Because hee did not assume to himself this honour (as certain false Brethren feigned themselves servants of Christ, when they were not sent of God) but obtained it by the special Will of God. Reason 3. Because hee had brought in Timothy with him∣self to witness against them, if they should not admit of this Truth of God, written by him. Reason 4. Because what hee was about to write, appertained not onely to the Church of Corinth, but to all the Saints and Churches in all Achaia, to wit, to know this asserted truth which hee was about to write.

Vers. 2. Grace bee to you, and Peace from God our Fa∣ther, and from our Lord Iesus Christ.

Reason 5. Comprehended in the salutation or Aposto∣lical benediction: Because Paul, the Author of this E∣pistle, would not that the dignity of the Church of Co∣rinth should any waies bee eclipsed (although hee knew there were most corrupt persons among them, not onely which lay hid, but openly shewed themselves enemies to the Apostle) but constantly accounted the Church at Co∣rinth a true Church, to which, by his Authority hee ap∣plied the benediction of the Gospel, and doubted not to wish them all good things: Therefore they were obliged to receive the things which hee wrote, with that submis∣sion and readiness of mind that was fitting.

The first Part.

Vers. 3. Blessed bee God, even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comforts,

In the first part of the Chapter the Apostle proves that the Corinthians ought not to despise him, by reason of the Cross or afflictions, and that by twelve Arguments.

Argum. 1. In the midst of afflictions I find God the Father most merciful, and abundant in all consolation, so that I have cause rather to bless God, than to com∣plain of my calamities, sent of God: Therefore ought you not to contemn mee, or to bee offended because of my afflictions.

Vers. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that wee may bee able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith wee our selves are comforted of God.

Argum. 2. By the experience which I have in affli∣ctions, I am made more fit to minister comfort 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o∣thers that are afflicted: Therefore ought you not to bee offended in mee, &c.

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

Argum. 3. Afflictions are a part of Martyrdome, and for the Gospel, or for Christ, are inflicted upon mee with honour, that they may bee called the afflictions of Christ by way of participation; For what things are inflicted up∣on the Martyrs, Christ takes upon himself, as Act. 9. Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute mee? Therefore, &c.

In us] Argum. 4. Christ gave testimony (from his su∣perabundant and seasonable consolations towards mee, in the midst of my afflictions) that the miseries which I suffer are inflicted upon mee for the defence of the Gos∣pel: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 6. And whether wee be afflicted, it is for your con∣solation and salvation, which is effectual in endu∣ring the same sufferings which wee also suffer: or

whether wee bee comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation:

Argum. 5. Those afflictions, as also these comforts, tended to the benefit of the Corinthians, who might bee strengthened in the Faith, and built up divers waies to salvation, and take comfort from the Apostles experi∣ence: Therefore ought they not to bee offended in the Apostles sufferings.

Which effectually produceth] Argum. 6. Because the salvation of the Corinthians was effectually to bee pro∣moted, by his suffering such kind of afflictions, by which (as by the way to salvation freely given) they were ear∣nestly to strive: Therefore, &c.

And the hope] Argum. 7. I have certain hope of you, that you will not despise us, nor take ill the afflictions which yee shall suffer: Therefore yee are bound not to frustrate our hope concerning you.

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

Argum. 8. I know that you are made both partakers of our sufferings by your sympathy, and shall partake of our consolations: Therefore you are bound not to de∣spise us because of the afflictions which wee suffer.

Vers. 8. For wee would not, Brethren, have you igno∣rant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that wee were pressed out of measure, above strength, in∣somuch that wee despaired even of life.

9. But wee had the sentence of death in our selves, that wee should not trust in our selves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver; in whom wee trust that hee will yet deliver us.

Argum. 9. From his special example, and late sufferings in Asia: So far am I from being ashamed of my afflicti∣ons, that I am desirous all should understand how great they are, and also my infirmity, that God may bee glo∣rified the more: Therefore ought you not to despise mee for my afflictions. Hee shews the greatness of his af∣flictions, and his own infirmities in this, that in the tu∣mult at Ephesus (whereof hee speaks, Act. 19.23.) or some such like danger, hee kn••w not which way to turn himself to escape the danger of his life, expecting in him∣self nothing but certain death.

That wee should not trust] Argum. 10. I have learned by this experience and the like, not to confide in my self, but in God alone, who can deliver from imminent death, those that are ready to dye, and raise up them which are dead, to which end God was pleased to bring mee into danger: Therefore yee ought not to despise my affli∣ction.

Wee hope] Argum. 11. By this late experience and such like, God hath stirred up in mee a firm hope, of my deliverance for the future, though I fall into new ca∣lamities: Therefore ought you not to despise my affli∣ction.

Vers. 11. You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may bee given by many on your behalf.

Argum. 12. Because the knowledge of his sufferings, and his deliverance should stir up the Corinthians, among others, to pray for him, and so to obtain his deliverance for the future, and by consequence also to thanksgiving by many unto God: which Argument being considered, the Corinthians could not despise Paul for the afflictions which hee suffered, at least they ought not to bee offen∣ded in him.

The second Part.

Vers. 12. For our rejoycing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdome, but by the Grace of God, wee have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-wards.

The second part of the Chapter followes, wherein hee removes their suspition of his estranged mind from them, (which the false Apostles, his adversaries, seem to f••ment with frivolous Arguments) and proves that they ought not to surmise any change of his carriage towards them, or that his mind was alienated from them, by six Argu∣ments, after which hee answers two or three Objections, which were brought to the contrary by his adversa∣ries.

Argum. 1. Wherein hee gives an account why his safety ought to bee commended to them all, and also proves that hee continued the same as the Corinthians had found him, in so many months tryal that hee had stayed amongst them: In simplicity, and godly sincerity, I have alwaies behaved my self so, as to approve my self to God, my own and other mens consciences: Therefore there is no reason that you should suspect any change, ei∣ther of my carriage or affection towards you.

Not with] Argum. 2. Hereby hee confirms the for∣mer: The fountain of my conversation was the Grace of God, which is like it self, and alwaies constant, not that subtil wisdome, whereby carnal men, for their pro∣fits sake counterfeit respect to others, which indeed they have not: Therefore let no suspition bee amongst you a∣bout the change of my carriage and affection towards you.

Vers. 13. For wee write none other things unto you, than what you read, or acknowledge, and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end.

Hee confirms what hee had said before, adding a third Argument: Because his deeds and his writings were an∣swerable to each other (wherein hee seems to tax his ad∣versaries, who carried themselves otherwise, as in the former Argument) which hee proves by the testimony of the Corinthians themselves, who although they were somewhat disturbed by the whisperings of adversaries, yet they acknowledged his sincerity and constancy, and hee hoped they would afterwards do the like: Therefore &c.

Vers. 14. As also you have acknowledged us in part; that wee are your rejoycing, even as yee also are ours, in the day of our Lord Iesus.

Argum. 4. Because in some measure (although not with that confidence as became them against the false A∣postles) the Corinthians boasted of their conversion by the Apostle, and the Apostle boasted of them, as the fruit of his Apostleship, and further, hee hoped to glory in the day of judgement: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 15. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you afore; that you might have a second benefit:

16. And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia, unto you, and of you to bee brought on-ward my way to Judea.

Argum. 5. Because hee had a purpose to go to the Corinthians in confidence of mutual good will, that hee might compleat the first benefit of their conversion, by confirming their Faith, as a second benefit; and that hee might receive expressions of their good will towards him, in the duties which hee reckons up, to the increase of their mutual love: Therefore, &c.

Vers. 17. When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with mee there should bee yea, yea, and nay, nay?

Argum. 6. By answering the Objection proposed, I have deferred my comming unto you longer than I would, not out of the levity of a mind changed, but, as afterwards it shall appear, out of love to you, that I might spare you, who ought to bee chastised with the cen∣sures of the Church, had I come to you before: There∣fore ought you not to suspect the alienation of my mind from you: The Objection is propounded in the same terms, in which his adversaries did reproach him, as vain

and light, speaking like carnal and unregenerate men, and promising what hee intended not to perform, as those that sleightly promise, and easily change their mind, nei∣ther whose words (and by consequence) nor doctrine carryed any certainty, to whom therefore no credit was to bee given.

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

Hee answers the Objection, and because hee is more careful that nothing should bee imputed to his Doctrine, as also to his Credit; hee answers first for his Doctrine, and confirms the truth thereof by five Reasons. Reason 1. Because his Doctrine was the Word of God, it must of ne∣cessity bee true: because God is faithful and true, whose dictates and precepts onely hee taught among them, not sometimes affirming, sometimes denying, as those that are not constant to themselves, use to do: Therefore they were to make no doubt of the truth of his doctrine.

Vers. 19. For the Son of God, Iesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by mee, and Syl∣vanus, and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

Reason 2. My Doctrine, and the Doctrine of my companions contained nothing but Jesus Christ onely, who is the unchangeable Son of God, and the eternal ve∣rity alwaies constant to himself: Therefore you are not to make any doubt of my Doctrine.

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

Reason 3. Confirming the former. All the Promi∣ses of God in and through Christ are firm, unchange∣able, and compleat; partly inasmuch as hee is the Son of God, by whom all things are made; partly inasmuch as hee is Mediatour, God-man, who compleated for us our Redemption, and procured it by his merit, that the good things promised might bee performed to us, and really hee applies them to us: Therefore our preaching which contains nothing else, is necessarily certain, and no doubt to be made of it.

To the glory of God] Reason 4. As the Promises of God are yea and Amen in Christ, i. e. that is, really and in∣deed ratified and compleat, and so they are acknowledged and preached by us, it makes to the glory of God, who will not have his Promises fulfilled but in Christ: There∣fore our preaching is so sure and firm, as the purpose of God is in glorifying himself in his Son, neither must you doubt any thing in the matter.

Vers. 21. Now hee which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath annointed us, is God,

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

Reason 5. God is the Author of this our Faith in Christ, confirming both the preaching of us Apostles, and the Faith of you Corinthians (as many of you as are sincere) partly by communicating the several gifts of the Spirit, as it were an unction from Christ, partly by setting to his seal to our Faith, making us certain of the Truth of the Gospel, and stirs up ineffable and glorious joy in us; which is, as it were the earnest of our future happiness: Therefore our preaching is sure, nor ought you to make any doubt of it.

All these Arguments being weighed, upon no ground could the Corinthians suspect, that in the preaching of the Apostles, so many waies divinely confirmed, there could bee any uncertainty or falshood; and so hee prevents an Objection, as it tended to destroy the Truth of the Gospel.

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

Here hee answers the Objection, so far as concerned his credit and carriage, by shewing the reason of his not comming unto them, viz. That time of repentance being granted to the Corinthians, hee might spare them, i. e. restrain himself from a severe course with them, which at present hee was forced to use; and hee confirms his Word with an oath, because so the gravity of the matter required: Therefore not out of any levity did hee defer his comming unto them.

Vers. 24. Not for that wee have dominion over your Faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by Faith yee stand.

Hence arises another Objection: Therefore thou ma∣kest thy self Lord of our Faith, as if thou couldest punish when thou wouldest. Hee answers by denying any Ma∣stery, affirming the power of his Ministery, and that to bee imployed to the benefit of the Church, that timely Censures, according to the Will of Christ, being used, those that repented might at length rejoyce: Hee gives an account why hee denyed any dominion over their Faith, because Faith is the bond of conjunction with Christ, by which Faith wee stand fast in the Grace of God, in right and title unto Christ, in the possession of things present, and in hopes of future good things: Therefore Faith admits no Lord, besides God; it ad∣mits of men onely as Ministers, and helpers.