William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 2 Corinthians 2:12 - 2:12

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 2 Corinthians 2:12 - 2:12


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Observe here, 1. The unwearied diligence of this great apostle in traveling from place to place, and carrying the gospel with him from one city and nation to another: I came to Troas, and from thence to Macedonia.

Observe, 2. The success which the holy apostle had in preaching the gospel with unwearied diligence in those places: A door was opened unto him of the Lord.

This either signifies, 1. The free liberty which he had to preach the gospel in those places; the door of his mouth was not shut by persecutors, the enemies and opposers of the free gospel, but the word of the Lord had a free course in the labours of its ministers.

Or, 2. This opened door may signify and import the great and gracious success which God gave the apostle in his work; as God by his providence opened the apostle's mouth, to preach and publish the glad tidings of the gospel, so by his Holy Spirit he opened the people's hearts to receive and entertain the glad tidings of salvation which the gospel brought. The Lord opened Lydia's heart, that she attended to the words which were spoken of Paul. Act_16:14

Observe, 3. How careful the apostle is to ascribe the entire praise, and to return the whole thanks, to Almighty God, for all the gracious assistance and success which he had received in his ministerial service: Thanks be to God, which causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

As if the apostle had said, "Blessed be God, although our enemies have been man, and our difficulties great, yet God has given me, and my fellow-apostles, such resolution of mind, that we have not only encountered with them, but triumphed over them, in a powerful conversion of so many from heathenism to Christianity; and has enabled us to spread the sweet odour of the gospel far and near, by our laborious preaching of it from place to place."

Then is the word, and God in the word, glorified, when the sword of the Spirit is taken into the hand of the Spirit; when he gird this sword upon his thigh, as most mighty, and rides on triumphantly, conquering and to conquer, in the hearts of his people, till he has consummated his victories in a glorious triumph over all the powers of hell and darkness: Thanks be to God that causeth us to triumph in Christ.