Chapter 5
The apostle’s hope and desire of heavenly glory
|
1–8
|
This excited to diligence. The reasons of his being
affected with zeal for the Corinthians
|
9–15
|
The necessity of regeneration, and of reconciliation with
God through Christ
|
16–21
|
Verses 1–8
The believer not only is well assured by faith that there is
another and a happy life after this is ended, but he has good hope, through
grace, of heaven as a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a hiding-place. In our
Father’s house there are many mansions, whose Builder and Maker is God. The
happiness of the future state is what God has prepared for those that love him:
everlasting habitations, not like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of
clay, in which our souls now dwell; that are mouldering and decaying, whose
foundations are in the dust. The body of flesh is a heavy burden, the
calamities of life are a heavy load. But believers groan, being burdened with a
body of sin, and because of the many corruptions remaining and raging within
them. Death will strip us of the clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of
life, as well as end all our troubles here below. But believing souls shall be
clothed with garments of praise, with robes of righteousness and glory. The
present graces and comforts of the Spirit are earnests of everlasting grace and
comfort. And though God is with us here, by his Spirit, and in his ordinances,
yet we are not with him as we hope to be. Faith is for this world, and sight is
for the other world. It is our duty, and it will be our interest, to walk by
faith, till we live by sight. This shows clearly the happiness to be enjoyed by
the souls of believers when absent from the body, and where Jesus makes known
his glorious presence. We are related to the body and to the Lord; each claims
a part in us. But how much more powerfully the Lord pleads for having the soul
of the believer closely united with himself! Thou art one of the souls I have
loved and chosen; one of those given to me. What is death, as an object of
fear, compared with being absent from the Lord!
Verses 9–15
The apostle quickens himself and others to acts of duty.
Well-grounded hopes of heaven will not encourage sloth and sinful security. Let
all consider the judgment to come, which is called, The terror of the Lord.
Knowing what terrible vengeance the Lord would execute upon the workers of
iniquity, the apostle and his brethren used every argument and persuasion, to
lead men to believe in the Lord Jesus, and to act as his disciples. Their zeal
and diligence were for the glory of God and the good of the church. Christ’s
love to us will have a like effect upon us, if duly considered and rightly
judged. All were lost and undone, dead and ruined, slaves to sin, having no
power to deliver themselves, and must have remained thus miserable for ever, if
Christ had not died. We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the end of our
living and actions. A Christian’s life should be devoted to Christ. Alas, how
many show the worthlessness of their professed faith and love, by living to themselves
and to the world!
Verses 16–21
The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with
new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not
merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is
changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an
outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he
should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the
unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with
him. Yet there may be reconciliation. Our offended God has reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were
written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made
by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Though God cannot lose by
the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their
enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made
Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and
design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him,
might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is
in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labour, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his
beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the
righteousness of God in him?
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Visit www.e-sword.net
or www.ccel.org
