Lest there be—envyings, &c.— All these were the natural consequences of those debates which had arisen among them; and therefore St. Paul, in a very judicious manner, gives this solemn warning with relation to them.
Inferences.—What vicissitudes are there in the Christian's comforts and afflictions! He is sometimes lifted up, as it were, to the third heaven, which is like a paradise, for all delights, and unutterable glories; and he presently falls under the buffetings of Satan, and the sorest trials, which God orders and over-rules to prevent spiritual pride, lest it should rise, even upon the ground of the most distinguishing and endearing manifestations of divine favour. How earnestly does the believer betake himself to the Lord Jesus for deliverance from temptations and afflictions, which he finds to be more than his own match! And how certain is it that his prayers shall not be in vain, though they may not always be answered in the very thing that he asked! A promise of Christ's grace as sufficient for us, and of his strength, as to be made perfect in our weakness, is the noblest support under every difficulty or danger, and the best security for a due improvement of it, and for victory and triumph in the issue. We may well glory in those trials which give occasion for, and are attended with, the most evident demonstrations of the power of Christ, as resting upon us; though, in the midst of the highest privileges, manifestations, and attainments, we are, as of ourselves, and ought to be in our own account, as nothing. How happy is it, when the servants of Christ can appeal to him for the sincerity of their aims in all their holy ministrations; and can appeal to the consciences of their hearers that the signs of their divine mission are made known among them, by their patient, faithful, tender, and disinterested behaviour; by the good fruits of their labours; and by plain tokens of God's being with them! And how cheerfully will they spend, and be spent, for the good of souls, and do all things for their edification, while they seek not theirs, but them; and resolve, by the Grace of God, to persist therein, even though the more they love them, and, like parents, provide for their spiritual welfare, the less they were to be loved of them! How desirous should they all be to act under the influence of the same divine Spirit, and with the same Christian temper; and to tread in the same laudable steps, in pursuing the great ends of their ministry! And, as far as they do so, how ready should their people be to encourage and speak well of them, and to save them the irksome task of saying any thing that looks like self-applause, to vindicate their own characters! But, O how humbling and grievous is it, not only to be themselves vilified, but to see their hopes blasted, and their labour lost upon those, who, instead of answering just expectations of yielding obedience to the authority of Christ, in all holy conversation and godliness, are guilty of such scandalous enormities in temper and behaviour, and continue so impenitent in them, as to need the severest animadversions upon them!
REFLECTIONS.—1st. Once more he will speak. Though (ordinarily the Apostle confesses) it is not expedient for me, doubtless, to glory; yet since others boast of extraordinary manifestations, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord; one remarkable instance of which I will only mention.
I knew, or I know, a man in Christ, a faithful soul, above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, whether in his spirit only, or in his whole man, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven, where angels dwell, and the most illustrious display of the divine glory is made. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) how that he was caught up into Paradise, the region of the blessed, and heard unspeakable words, which contained such sublimity of ideas, and were delivered in such language as it is not lawful, or possible, for a man to utter, in his present mortal state of weakness. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities, and in such things as carry evident marks of my own weakness. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth, I will speak with the utmost sincerity and simplicity: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me, supposing me to be more than human, who am a mere worm. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. What this was, whether same bodily affliction, or outward reproach, whatever it was, it was very grievous, yet sent for the most blessed purpose, and served to keep him humble. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice importunately, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, by an audible voice, or same divine impression on my spirit, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness—simple faith in my power and love shall make thee in all things victorious, yea, more than conqueror. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me, and be the more transcendently exalted in rescuing me out of all my trials, and carrying me safe through every temptation. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; not only resigned, but happy, rejoicing in the sufferings that I endure: for when I am weak, then am I strong, and rise victorious over every foe, through the power of divine grace. Note; (1.) To be humble in the midst of high attainments is doubly excellent. (2.) Prayer is the great relief under every distress. (3.) Though God does not always answer us according to our petitions, yet, if he gives as strength to stand in our difficulties, we are bound to acknowledge that our prayers are answered. (4.) There is a sufficiency of grace in the Redeemer to carry the faithful soul safe through every trial. (5.) The more the believer sees and feels his own weakness, the more firm he stands in the power of God.
2nd, The Apostle returns again:
1. To apologize for what might in appearance savour of vanity. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you, who have received such peculiar benefit by my labours: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles in my sufferings and labours, though I be nothing, considered as of myself; our sufficiency and success is of God. Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, amidst innumerable provocations and sufferings, in signs, miracles, and wonders of various kinds, and mighty deeds, which speak the arm of omnipotence. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, in gifts and privileges, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong; than which never was a more beautiful turn, and a more poignant, though polite, rebuke, if it be considered as spoken ironically; or, seriously, it pleads in a most elegant manner his excuse for refusing that reward from them which might be construed as a mark of disdain. Note; (1.) Where we have received spiritual benefit, it is a debt that we owe to our ministers to vindicate their injured characters. (2.) The greater of men and ministers, when viewing themselves in their true colours, cannot but own "I am nothing."
2. He declares his purpose to shew the same disinterested conduct. Behold the third time I am ready to come to you, having the second time been disappointed; and I will not be burdensome to you, but will preach the gospel to you freely: for I seek not your's, but you, your spiritual benefit, not your worldly substance. For I consider myself as your father in Christ, and shall treat you with paternal care, not desiring nor accepting aught at your hands; for, in general, the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And all I have shall be willingly laid out for you; for I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, to promote the good of your souls, ready, if need be, to lay down my own life, though I should meet with the most ungrateful returns, and the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved, and even those who seduce you be preferred before me. Note; (1.) A true minister of Christ never serves for hire, but for love, delighting to feed, not to fleece the flock. (2.) True zeal for Christ and his cause will make his servants nobly prodigal of life, unto their power, and sometimes above their power, exerting themselves in his service. (3.) The most ungrateful returns must not stay us from doing good even to the evil and unthankful.
3. He obviates an insinuation which the seducers suggested, that though he took no wages for himself, those whom he sent were well paid. Be it so, they will argue, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile; so invidiously would they misrepresent my conduct. But in answer, I appeal to yourselves, Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother: did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? shewing the same disinterested generosity, and following my example in preaching the gospel freely, without any expence to you? Again,
4. Think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? and want, by specious pretences, for sinister ends, to insinuate others into your regard, or to get off from visiting you as I promised? We speak before God in Christ, appealing to him for our sincerity; but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying, having this great end ever in view.
5. He declares his jealous fears for them. For I fear, lest when I come I shall not find you such as I would, obedient and orderly; and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not; obliged, though with reluctance, to exert my apostolic authority; lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults, and all other evil fruits of a proud, contentious, uncharitable spirit: And lest when I come again my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, which they have committed. Note; (1.) The falls of professors are a real grief to their faithful ministers; and every gracious soul cannot but mourn over them. (2.) They who persist in their iniquities must be faithfully rebuked; and if they do not amend, their obstinate impenitence will inevitably issue in final perdition.