The Second Epistle Od The Apostle Paul To The Corinthians

30 people, and is what makes him so glorious, lovely, and desirable in their eye: and whilst this delightful object is FOOTNOTES: beheld by them, they are F11 R. Moses Botril in Sepher Jetzirah, p. 40. Ed. changed into the same image; Rittangel. there was a divine image in man, in his first creation; this image was defaced by sin, and a different one took place; now in regeneration another distinct from them both is INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 4 stamped, and this is the image of Christ; he himself is In this chapter, the apostle declares the constancy, formed in the soul, his grace is wrought there; so that it sincerity, and integrity of him, and his fellow ministers, is no wonder there is a likeness between them; which lies in preaching the Gospel; asserts the clearness and in righteousness and holiness, and shows itself in acts of perspicuity of it; removes the charge of pride and grace, and a discharge of duty. The gradual motion of arrogance from them; takes notice of the afflictions he the change into this image is expressed by this phrase, and others endured, for the sake of the Gospel; what supports they had under them, and what comforts they from glory to glory: enjoyed: in 2Co 4:1 he observes, that seeing they were not from the glory of the law to the glory of the Gospel; employed in such a ministry, as before described in the or from the glory of Moses to the glory of Christ; rather preceding chapter, though they met with troubles in it, from the glory that is in Christ, to a glory derived in they did not sink under them; the reason of which was, believers from him; or which seems most agreeable, partly the excellency of the ministry, and partly the from one degree of grace to another, grace here being grace and mercy of God; and they were no less sincere signified by glory; or from glory begun here to glory than they were diligent; and were the reverse of the perfect hereafter; when this image will be completed, false teachers, who used dishonest methods, craftiness both in soul and body; and the saints will be as perfectly and deceit; these they disclaimed, and delivered out like to Christ, as they are capable of, and see him as he naked truth, with all simplicity and evidence, and as is: now the efficient cause of all this, “is the Spirit of the in the sight of God, in confirmation of which they Lord”. It is he that takes off the veil from the heart, that could appeal to the consciences of all that heard them, we may, with open face unveiled, behold all this glory; 2Co 4:2 and whereas the apostle had affirmed the it is he that regenerates, stamps the image of Christ, and plainness and clearness of the Gospel ministry, both conforms the soul to his likeness; it is he that gradually in the preceding chapter, and in the foregoing verse, carries on the work of grace upon the soul, increases he foresaw that an objection would be raised against faith, enlarges the views of the glory of Christ, and it, which he anticipates, 2Co 4:3,4 showing, that the spiritual light, knowledge, and experience of the though the Gospel was not spiritually discerned and saints, and will perfect all that which concerns them; savingly understood by some persons, yet this was not will quicken their mortal bodies, and make them like to to be charged upon the Gospel, as if it was attended Christ; and will for ever rest as a spirit of glory on them, with darkness and obscurity; but it was owing to the both in soul and body: some read these words, unbelief of men, and the power of Satan over them, in blinding their minds; otherwise the Gospel in itself was by the Lord of the Spirit, light and glorious, in which Christ, the image of God, in and understand them of Christ, others read them, “by a most resplendent manner appears; and those on whom the Lord the Spirit”, as they very well may be rendered; Satan thus wrought were such as did not belong to and so are a proof of the true and proper deity of the God’s elect, but were of the number of them that perish: Holy Spirit, who is the one Jehovah with the Father and moreover the integrity of the apostle and other ministers the Son. The ancient Jews owned this; appeared in their preaching Christ, and not themselves; and in serving the churches in that way, for the sake ``the Spirit of the living God, (say F11 they,) of Christ; so that they were far from being chargeable (arwbh wnyyh) , this is the Creator himself, from him with pride, vanity, and arrogance, 2Co 4:5 and they all spirits are produced; blessed be he, and blessed readily acknowledged, that all the Gospel light they had be his name, because his name is he himself, for was from that God, who spoke light out of darkness his name is Jehovah.’’ in the first creation, whereby they were qualified to