3 I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
I say not this to condemn you. As the foregoing apology was a sort of expostulation, and we can scarcely avoid reproaching when we expostulate, he softens on this account what he had said. "I clear myself," says he, "in such a way as to be desirous to avoid, what would tend to your dishonor." The Corinthians, it is true, were unkind, and they deserved that, on Paul's being acquitted from blame, they should be substituted in his place as the guilty party; nay more, that they should be held guilty in two respects -- in respect of ingratitude, and on the ground of their having calumniated the innocent. Such, however, is the Apostle's moderation, that he refrains from recrimination, contenting himself with standing simply on the defensive. For I have before said. Those that love do not assail; [1] nay more, if any fault has been committed, they either cover it over by taking no notice of it, or soften it by kindness. For a disposition to reproach is a sign of hatred. Hence Paul, with the view of showing that he has no inclination to distress the Corinthians, declares his affection towards them. At the same time, he undoubtedly in a manner condemns them, while he says that he does not do so. As, however, there is a great difference between gall and vinegar, so there is also between that condemnation, by which we harass a man in a spirit of hatred, with the view of blasting him with infamy, and, on the other hand, that, by which we endeavor to bring back an offender into the right way, that, along with safety, he may in addition to this regain his honors unimpaired. Ye are in our hearts -- that is, "I carry you about with me inclosed in my heart." To die and live with you -- that is, "So that no change can loosen our attachment, for I am prepared not merely to live with you, but also to be associated with you in death, if necessary, and to endure anything rather than renounce your friendship." Mark well, in what manner all pastors. [2] ought to be affected.
1 - "Ceux qui aiment vn autre, ne prenent point plaisir ale poursuyure et picquer;" -- "Those who love another take no pleasure in pursuing and stinging him."
2 - "Pasteurs et ministres;" -- "Pastors and ministers."
I speak not this to condemn you - I do not speak this with any desire to reproach you. I do not complain of you for the purpose of condemning, or because I have a desire to find fault, though I am compelled to speak in some respect of your lack of affection and liberality toward me. It is not because I have no love for you, and wish to have occasion to use words implying complaint and condemnation.
For I have said before - 2-Corinthians 7:11-12.
That ye are in our hearts - That is, we are so much attached to you; or you have such a place in our affections.
To die and live with you - If it were the will of God, we would be glad to spend our lives among you, and to die with you; an expression denoting most tender attachment. A similar well-known expression occurs in Horace:
Tecum vivere amem. tecum obeam libens.
Odes, B. III. IX. 24.
With the world I live, with the world I die.
This was an expression of the tenderest attachment. It was true that the Corinthians had not shown themselves remarkably worthy of the affections of Paul, but from the beginning he had felt toward them the tenderest attachment. And if it had been the will of God that he should cease to travel, and to expose himself to perils by sea and land to spread the knowledge of the Saviour, he would gladly have confined his labors to them, and there have ended his days.
I speak not this to condemn you - I do not speak to reproach but to correct you. I wish you to open your eyes and see how you are corrupted, spoiled, and impoverished by those whom ye have incautiously preferred to the true apostles of Jesus Christ.
I have said before, that ye are in our hearts - He has in effect and substance said this, 2-Corinthians 1:6-8 (note); 2-Corinthians 2:4 (note), 2-Corinthians 2:12 (note); 2-Corinthians 3:2 (note), and 2-Corinthians 3:13 (note); where see the passages at length, and the notes.
To die and live with you - An expression which points out the strongest affection, as in cases where love blinds us to the faults of those whom we love, and causes us to prefer them to all others; like that in Horace: -
Quanquam sidere pulchrior
llle est, tu levior cortice, et improbo
Iracundior Adria.
Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam tibens.
Odar. lib. iii. Od. ix. ver. 21.
"Though he exceed in beauty far
The rising lustre of a star;
Though light as cork thy fancy strays,
Thy passions wild as angry seas
When vex'd with storms; yet gladly I
With thee would live, with thee would die."
Francis.
From all appearance there never was a Church less worthy of an apostle's affections than this Church was at this time; and yet no one ever more beloved. The above quotation applies to this case in full force.
I speak not [this] to (c) condemn [you]: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with [you].
(c) To condemn you of unkindness or treachery.
I speak not this to condemn you,.... Referring either to the exhortations before given, to have no sinful conversation with unbelievers, and to cleanse themselves from all impurity, external and internal; and to go on in a course of holiness, in the fear of God, to the end of life; or to the account just given of himself and fellow ministers; and his sense is this, the exhortations I have given must not be so understood, as though I charged and accused you with keeping company with unbelievers, or as though you were not concerned for purity of life and conversation; or when I remove the above mentioned things from myself and others, I mean not to lay them upon you, as if I thought that you had wronged, corrupted, or defrauded any; when I clear myself and others, I do not design to accuse or condemn you; my view is only to the false apostles, who have done these things, when we have not, and therefore we have the best claim to your affections:
for I have said before, you are in our hearts; you are inscribed on our hearts, engraven there, "ye are our epistle written in our hearts", 2-Corinthians 3:2 ye are not straitened in us, 2-Corinthians 6:12 you have a place and room enough in our affections, which are strong towards you, insomuch that it is our desire and resolution
to die and live with you; or together: neither death nor life shall separate our love, or destroy our friendship; there is nothing we more desire than to live with you; and should there be any occasion for it, could freely die with you, and for you.
In excusing myself, I do not accuse you, as though you suspected me of such things [MENOCHIUS], or as though you were guilty of such things; for I speak only of the false apostles [ESTIUS and Greek commentators]. Rather, "as though you were ungrateful and treacherous" [BEZA].
I have said before--in 2-Corinthians 6:11-12; compare Philippians 1:7.
die and live with you--the height of friendship. I am ready to die and live with you and for you (Philippians 1:7, Philippians 1:20, Philippians 1:24; Philippians 2:17-18). Compare as to Christ, John 10:11.
I speak not to condemn you - Not as if I accused you of laying this to my charge. I am so far from thinking so unkindly of you, that ye are in our hearts, to live and die with you - That is, I could rejoice to spend all my days with you.
*More commentary available at chapter level.