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Theodoret of Cyrus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 1,374 passages across 50 books

On 2 Corinthians

21–40 of 62
2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul is saying that unbelief is limited to this world, because in the next life the truth will be plain to everyone.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 308

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Since the divine nature is invisible and always remains so, it is seen for what it is in the humanity of Jesus Christ which shines with divine light and sends out its rays.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 309

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

If none of these things ever happened, the greatness of God’s power would never be revealed.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 310

2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

Paul believed that through the work of Christ he and all believers were made greater than death and that they would all be brought before the terrible seat of judgment.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 311

2 Corinthians 5:2

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

The heavenly body is not some different one but the one we have now, which will be transformed.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 313

2 Corinthians 5:5

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Since God the Creator foresaw the sin of Adam, he prepared a remedy for it. For he himself has given us the first fruits of the Spirit, so that by the miracles which the Spirit does in our midst we may be reassured that the promises of future glory are true.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 314

2 Corinthians 5:7

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

We cannot now see what we shall be like, but we discern it by faith alone. That is why after the death of the body we want to stand in the presence of God.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 314

2 Corinthians 5:16

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

There was a time when Christ had a body which was capable of suffering, but after his suffering and death it became incorruptible and immortal.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 317

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Those who believe in Christ have entered a new life. They must be born again in baptism and renounce their former sins.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 317

2 Corinthians 5:18

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

It is not just that God has been reconciled to us; we also have been reconciled to him.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 317

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Christ was called what we are in order to call us to be what he is.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 318

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Paul backs his exhortation up with this prophetic testimony.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 318

2 Corinthians 6:7

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

The weapons of righteousness on the right hand are those which are pleasing to the mind; those on the left hand are those which are not.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 320

2 Corinthians 6:13

Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

Paul blunts the force of his accusations by calling the Corinthians his children.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 321

2 Corinthians 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul uses the word spirit in this verse to mean “soul.”

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 322

2 Corinthians 7:5

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

Paul had to do battle not only with external foes but also with enemies within the fellowship of the church. He was afraid that believers would be turned away to harmful things.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 323

2 Corinthians 8:1

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

By “the grace of God” Paul means the possession of every good thing. He is not excluding the role of free will by saying this but teaching that every good work is made possible by the help of God.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 327

2 Corinthians 8:2

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

This is the height of praise, for in affliction they remained calm and in the depths of poverty they gave generously of what they had.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 327

2 Corinthians 8:5

And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

The words “not as we expected” refer not to the Macedonians’ willingness to give but to the amount which they gave.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 328

2 Corinthians 8:10

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

Paul knows and respects their willingness to help, but the time has now come for that willingness to be translated into action.

COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 329

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