The Apostle declares that he hath approved himself a faithful minister of Christ, both by his exhortations, and by integrity of life, and by patiently enduring all kinds of affliction and disgraces for the gospel; of which he speaketh the more boldly among them, because his heart is open to them; and he expecteth the like affection from them again; exhorting them to flee the society and pollution of idolaters, as being themselves temples of the living God.
Anno Domini 58.
THE Apostle having affirmed in the foregoing chapter that the ministry of reconciliation was committed to the preachers of the gospel; he intreated his fellow-labourers in that ministry, the bishops and pastors at Corinth, to exert themselves with the utmost fidelity and diligence in their work; because if they were eitherunfaithful or negligent, they would be guilty of receiving that honourable ministry in vain, 2 Corinthians 6:1.—Then he put them in mind of God's promise to assist his faithful servants, and, by adding, Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation, he insinuated that there are seasons in which God more especiallyblesseth the labours of his servants, which, therefore, ought not to be neglected by them. And to carry the matter home to their conscience, he told them that the season then present was such a day of salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2.—These earnest exhortations the Apostle addressed to his fellow-labourers, that they might give no encouragement to any one to commit sin, either by their negligence, or by their teaching a lax morality, like the false apostle; because it would occasion the ministry of the gospel to be blamed, as encouraging licentiousness, 2 Corinthians 6:3.—He therefore besought them to establish themselves, through divine grace, as faithful ministers of Christ, by their virtues, both passive and active; and also by sound doctrine, and by a right behaviour, both in private and in public, 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.
Having thus exhorted his fellow-labourers, the Apostle addressed the Corinthian brethren in general, telling them, his mouth was opened to them, his heart was enlarged; he spake plainly to them, from love. And, as a reward, he desired an equal return of affection from them, 2 Corinthians 6:11-13.—Then proceeded to give an advice, which he knew would be disagreeable to some of them; namely, not to join themselves in marriage with idolaters and unbelievers, because, the principles and practices of such persons being directly contrary to the principles and manners of Christ's disciples, the Corinthians could have no prospect of union and peace in such marriages, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.—Or, although love and peace were maintained, their idolatrous spouses tempting them to join in the worship of idols, they might lose that holiness which rendered them the temple or dwelling of God, 2 Corinthians 6:16.—as was plain from what God said to the Israelites, Come out from among them, &c. and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.—Then to shew that these promises were made to the disciples of Christ, as well as to the disciples of Moses, the Apostle added, as the conclusion of his discourse on this subject, chap. 1 Corinthians 6:20. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, &c.