Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
John Calvin
4. Great is my boldness. Now, as if he had obtained the enlargement of heart that he had desired on the part of the Corinthians, he leaves off complaining, and pours out his heart with cheerfulness. "What need is there that I should expend so much labor upon a matter already accomplished? For I think I have already what I asked. For the things that Titus has reported to me respecting you are not merely sufficient for quieting my mind, but afford me also ground of glorying confidently on your account 1531 Nay more, they have effectually dispelled the grief, which many great and heavy afflictions had occasioned me." He goes on step by step, by way of climax; for glorying is more than being of an easy and quiet mind; and being freed from grief occasioned by many afflictions, is greater than either of those. Chrysostom explains this boldness somewhat differently, in this manner — "If I deal with you the more freely, it is on this account, that, relying on the assurance of your good will towards me, I think I may take so much liberty with you." I have stated, however, what appeared to me to be the more probable meaning — that the report given by Titus had removed the unfavorable impression, which had previously racked his mind. 1532
5. For when we had come into Macedonia The heaviness of his grief tends to show, how efficacious the consolation was. "I was pressed on every side," says he, "by afflictions both internal and external. All this, however, has not prevented the joy that you have afforded me from prevailing over it, and even overflowing." 1533 When he says that he had no rest in his flesh, it is as if he had said — "As a man, I had no relief." 1534 For he excepts
1531"Timothy is despatched" (by Paul) "to Corinth, and after him Titus is sent. In the mean time, 'a door is opened of the Lord' to the Apostles to preach Christ's gospel at Troas; but, strange to relate! he who panted so earnestly for such opportunities, had neither heart nor tongue to improve the present. The expected messenger from Corinth had not arrived — he had 'no rest in his spirit,' and abandoning the rich harvest which invited his labors, he wandered into Macedonia. Nor yet did he find ease: '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.' At last Titus arrives with tidings from Corinth. The Apostle's letter had been well received; it had produced the intended effects; a spirit of repentance had fallen upon the Church; they had applied themselves vigorously to the correction of abuses; the love which they bore to their spiritual father had revived with additional strength. 'Now! thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place!' 'Great is my boldness of speech towards you, great is my glorying of you; I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.' (2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 7:4.) What a sudden change! what a wonderful transformation! Formerly we saw him like a soldier, wounded, weak, disabled, dispirited, fallen to the ground; now he is lifted up, victorious, and borne on the triumphant car." — M'Crie's Sermons, p. 39. — Ed.
1532"La mauuaise opinion ou le souspecon qu'il auoit d'eux, et dont il estoit tourmente en son coeur;" — "The bad opinion or suspicion that he had of them, and with which he had been tormented in his heart."
1533Calvin here has manifestly in his eye the singularly emphatic word made use of by Paul in the preceding verse — {ὑπερπερισσεύομαι}, I am exceeding joyful. ``The word here used occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Romans 5:20. It is not found in the classic writers, and is a word which Paul evidently compounded, (from {ὑπὲρ} and {περισσεύω},) and means to superabound over, to superabound greatly, or exceedingly. It is a word which would be used only when the heart was full, and when it would be difficult to find words to express its conceptions. Paul's heart was full of joy, and he pours forth his feelings in the most fervid and glowing language --- `I have joy which cannot be expressed.' '' --- Barnes. --- Ed.
1534"Je n'ay point eu de relasche ou soulagement;" — "I had no relief or alleviation."