24Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
It isn't that we want to have control over your Christian faith. Rather, we want to work with you so that you will be happy. Certainly, you are firmly established in the Christian faith. King James Bible
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Douay-Rheims Bible
not because we exercise dominion over your faith: but we are helpers of your joy: for in faith you stand. Darby Bible Translation
Not that we rule over your faith, but are fellow-workmen of your joy: for by faith ye stand. English Revised Version
Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Webster's Bible Translation
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. Weymouth New Testament
Not that we want to lord it over you in respect of your faith--we do, however, desire to help your joy--for in the matter of your faith you are standing firm. World English Bible
Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith. Young's Literal Translation
not that we are lords over your faith, but we are workers together with your joy, for by the faith ye stand.
Romans 11:20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Corinthians 11:20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face.
1 Peter 5:3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary Verses 15-24 The apostle here vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy, in that he did not hold his purpose of coming to them at Corinth. His adversaries there sought all occasions to blemish his character, and reflect upon his conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold of this handle to reproach his person and discredit his ministry. Now, for his justification, I. He avers the sincerity of his intention (v. 15-17), and he does this in confidence of their good opinion of him, and that they would believe him, when he assured them he was minded, or did really intend, to come to them, and that with the design, not that he might receive, but that they might receive a second benefit, that is, a further advantage by his ministry. He tells them that he had not herein used lightness (v. 17), that, as he aimed not at any secular advantage to himself (for his purpose was not according to the flesh, that is, with carnal views and aims), so it was not a rash and inconsiderate resolution that he had taken up, for he had laid his measures thus of passing by them to Macedonia, and coming again to them from Macedonia in his way to Judea (v. 16), and therefore they might conclude that it was for some weighty reasons that he had altered his purpose; and that with him there was not yea yea, and nay nay, v. 17. He was not to be accused of levity and inconstancy, nor a contradiction between his words and intentions. Note, Good men should be careful to preserve the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve but upon mature deliberation, and they will not change their resolves but for weighty reasons. II. He would not have the Corinthians to infer that his gospel was false or uncertain, nor that it was contradictory in itself, nor unto truth, v. 18, 19. For if it had been so, that he had been fickle in his purposes, or even false in the promises he made of coming to them (which he was not justly to be accused of, and so some understand his expression, v. 18, Our word towards you was not yea and nay), yet it would not follow that the gospel preached not only by him, but also by others in full agreement with him, was either false or doubtful. For God is true, and the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is true. The true God, and eternal life. Jesus Christ, whom the apostle preached, is not yea and nay, but in him was yea (v. 19), nothing but infallible truth. And the promises of God in Christ are not yea and nay, but yea and amen, v. 20. There is an inviolable constancy and unquestionable sincerity and certainty in all the parts of the gospel of Christ. If in the promises that the ministers of the gospel make as common men, and about their own affairs, they see cause sometimes to vary from them, yet the promises of the gospel covenant, which they preach, stand firm and inviolable. Bad men are false; good men are fickle; but God is true, neither fickle nor false. The apostle, having mentioned the stability of the divine promises, makes a digression to illustrate this great and sweet truth, that all the promises of God are yea and amen. For, 1. They are the promises of the God of truth (v. 20), of him that cannot lie, whose truth as well as mercy endureth for ever. 2. They are made in Christ Jesus (v. 20), the Amen, the true and faithful witness; he hath purchased and ratified the covenant of promises, and is the surety of the covenant, Heb. 7:22. 3. They are confirmed by the Holy Spirit. He does establish Christians in the faith of the gospel; he has anointed them with his sanctifying grace, which in scripture is often compared to oil; he has sealed them, for their security and confirmation; and he is given as an earnest in their hearts, v. 21, 22. An earnest secures the promise, and is part of the payment. The illumination of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. Note, The veracity of God, the mediation of Christ, and the operation of the Spirit, are all engaged that the promises shall be sure to all the seed, and the accomplishment of them shall be to the glory of God (v. 20) for the glory of his rich and sovereign grace, and never-failing truth and faithfulness. III. The apostle gives a good reason why he did not come to Corinth, as was expected, v. 23. It was that he might spare them. They ought therefore to own his kindness and tenderness. He knew there were things amiss among them, and such as deserved censure, but was desirous to show tenderness. He assures them that this is the true reason, after this very solemn manner: I call God for a record upon my soul-a way of speaking not justifiable where used in trivial matters; but this was very justifiable in the apostle, for his necessary vindication, and for the credit and usefulness of his ministry, which was struck at by his opposers. He adds, to prevent mistakes, that he did not pretend to have any dominion over their faith, v. 24. Christ only is the Lord of our faith; he is the author and finisher of our faith, Heb. 12:2. He reveals to us what we must believe. Paul, and Apollos, and the rest of the apostles, were but ministers by whom they believed (1 Co. 3:5), and so the helpers of their joy, even the joy of faith. For by faith we stand firmly, and live safely and comfortably. Our strength and ability are owing to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. Calvin's Commentary 23. Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 23. Ego autem testem invoco Deum in animam meam, quod parcens vobis nondum venerim Corinthum. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. 24. Non quod dominemur fidei vestrae, sed adiutores sumus [301] gaudii vestri: fide enim statis. 2 Corinthians 2:1-2 1. But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 1. Decreveram autem hoc in me ipso, non amplius venire in tristitia ad vos. [302] 2. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 2. Si enim ego contristo vos: et quis est qui me exhilaret, nisi is qui erit tristitia affectus ex me?
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Authority Desire Dominion Faith Fast Fellow Fellow-Workmen Firm Help Helpers However Joy Lordship Matter Respect Rule Stand Standing Support Together Want Work Workers New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Alphabetical: are because but by faith firm for in is it joy lord Not over stand standing that we with work workers you your Bible Browser | |
June the Eighteenth the Benefitted as Benefactors
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