Theodoret of Cyrus — Commentary on Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:5

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.

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2 Corinthians 5:7

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.

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2 Corinthians 5:16

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.

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2 Corinthians 5:17

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

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2 Corinthians 5:18

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

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2 Corinthians 5:21

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

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2 Corinthians 6:2

Paul backs his exhortation up with this prophetic testimony.

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2 Corinthians 6:7

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.

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2 Corinthians 6:13

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

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2 Corinthians 7:1

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

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2 Corinthians 7:5

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.

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2 Corinthians 8:1

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.

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2 Corinthians 8:2

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.

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2 Corinthians 8:5

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

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2 Corinthians 8:10

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

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2 Corinthians 8:12

Quality, not quantity, is what counts.

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2 Corinthians 8:18

These words refer to Barnabas.

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2 Corinthians 8:22

Some people think this refers to Apollos, whom Paul promised in his first epistle that he would send..

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2 Corinthians 9:2

Paul holds up the Macedonians to the Corinthians and the Corinthians to the Macedonians as examples to imitate.

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2 Corinthians 9:9

Paul adds the prophetic testimony which shows that indifference to money is the beginning of eternal life.

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