2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 5:1

HOuse,] he calleth the body so, in regard of this fraile and transitory life, like a Cabin set up for a short time of use, Iob 4. 19. to which is opposite the heavenly life figured by a firme and everlasting building, Hebrews 11:10.

2 Corinthians 5:2

For,] the groanes of a fervent desire which the Holy Ghost engendreth in us Romans 8:23. compell us to aspire to everlasting life, and are unto us a certaine argument, that our true rest and happinesse is in heaven, and not in this world In this,] others have it in the meane time.

2 Corinthians 5:3

If so be,] that change of an earthly condition into a heavenly one requireth first as a necessary condition, that wee should even in this world bee clothed with Christs Righteousnesse, that is to say that we be justified in him, and adorned with nuptiall garments, Namely regenerated and sanctified by his spirit. See 1 Corinthians 15:50 Naked,] that is to say in our naturall filthinesse of sinne, which in it selfe is shamefull, and makes us odious and abominable to God. See Genesis 3:7.

2 Corinthians 5:4

For we,] hee confirmes that beleevers doe sigh through a desire of perfect deliverance, because they lament feeling their present misery, in regard of sinne, and of the evills that proceed from thence For that wee Would bee,] this burthen induceth us to desire death, not through impatience for to be freed from so many troubles: but through a holy desire to have this naturall and corporall life changed into a heavenly, and everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:5

Hath wrought us,] namely hath appointed and prepared us for everlasting life, by his election, vocation, and regeneration Hath given unto us,] even in this world he hath given us the first fruits of that life, and by them assurance of the accomplishment of it in heaven, Romans 8:23. 2 Corinthians 1:22. Ephes. 4. 30.

2 Corinthians 5:6

Confident,] in all dangers and sufferings, we are assured by this pledge of the spirit, that we can not perish, and that we cannot faile of eternall life From the Lod,] from his presence, and full communication in his life and glory.

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we,] he proves that we are yet absent because that all our spirituall life consists in saith, which he presupposeth that the fruition of the promised good is as yet farre off, Hebrews 11:1.

2 Corinthians 5:8

Wee are,] faith notwstanding createth in us a certaintie of our glorious end, which makes us defire the heavenly life, and likewise to leave the time and meanes thereof to God, refering unto our selves only a care, that we may both living and dying be in his grace.

2 Corinthians 5:10

In his body,] Namely in this bodily life.

2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing,] that is to say knowing how terrible Gods judgement is, Hebrews 10:31. I doe labour in my vocation, to induce men to receave Gods grace by faith, and to fle the judgement to come, Matth. 3. 7. 1 Thessalonians 1:10. and God is the Iudge and you the witnesses of this my zeale.

2 Corinthians 5:12

For wee,] hee gives a reason why hee comes againe to speake of his ministerie: namely not vainely to glorifie himselfe, no to gaine favour, or reputation amongst them; but even for their owne profits: that being assured of his fidelitie, hey may acknowledge how happie they are to have him for their Pastor and Apostle, to cleave constantly unto him, and to his doctrine against false Apostles, who bragged of their zeale, holinesse and fidelitie, 2 Corinthians 11:12-13; 2 Corinthians 11:15. though their Consciences did convince them of contrary vices.

2 Corinthians 5:13

For whither,] though that which I speak in commendation of mine Apostleship, may bee thought folly and vanitie by mine adversaries: yet ill I not leave speaking the truth of it, for Gods service and for your profit for as in my wise and discreet speech, according to the judgment of the world it selfe, I seeke nothing, but the good of the Church, so doe not I care for being held to be a mad man for Gods service, to whom I referre my selfe, for any thing that I say or speake; and care not for mens judgments, 1 Corinthians 4:3.

2 Corinthians 5:14

For the,] he gives a tason, why hee had thus utterly renounced himselfe, to dedicate himselfe wholly to the service of God, and of his Church: namely by reason of a lively apprehension, of the infinite love of Christ, who died for believers, which enterchangeablie bindeth them, to love him perfectly: consecrating unto him their whole life, which they hold by his benefit That if one,] namely Christ, For all,] namely for his whole Church, for all Gods Elect, Iohn 11. ver. 51, 52. Romans 5:18.

2 Corinthians 5:15

Which live,] spiritually in the fruition of Gods grace, and the communication of his spirit, Galatians 2:20 Should not henceforth,] may renounce themselves, and consecrate all their actions, and their life to Christ, who hath acquired them to himselfe, and hath bound them to eternall gratitude

2 Corinthians 5:16

Know wee no man,] that is to say, I, and we Apostles, beare no more affection, nor carnall and worldlie respect, to any man living, nor to our owne selves: but desire to please Christ alone: to wards whom we no longer beare an affection meerly humane, civill, and naturall, as they did who conversed with him in the world: but a divine and spirituall affection, befitting the state of glory, to which he hath been exalted. See Iohn 20. 17. This is here touched by the Apostle; to confute the reason, whereby the false Apostles did vilifie his ministerie, making it inferiour to that of the other Apostles, namely because hee had not conversed with Christ in the flesh Wee have,] may bee the Apostle would signifie that hee had knowne Christ upon earth, or it may as well bee meant by the other Apostles.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if,] every true Christian engrafted into the body of Christ by his spirit, is and ought to be changed in all his sences, motions and affections: and therefore hee is freed from vanitie and selfe love: as the generall state of the Church being renewed by Christ, every beleever ought to participate of this newnesse of life.

2 Corinthians 5:18

To us,] namely Apostles.

2 Corinthians 5:19

Committed unto,] hath committed unto us, the ministerie and embassage of the Gospell; with full knowledge of his truth, and certaine conduct of his spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:20

Bee yee,] that is to say except by faith the grace which is offered you, and persevere in it, and abstaine from all manner of offence which may alienate God from you.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Hath made him.] hath imputed the whole masse of the sins of the world to Christ, most just and innocent of himselfe: and hath imposed the punishment and the curse of it upon him, that all beleevers may bee reputed before God, holy and perfect, as righteousnesse it selfe: by vertue of Christs Righteousnesse which hath beene given them by God, and which can onely subsist before his judgement.