Verse 11
11. Confirmation of :- from the Corinthians' own experience.
carefulness—solicitude, literally, "diligence"; opposed to their past negligence in the matter.
in you—Greek "for you."
yea—not only "carefulness" or diligence, but also "clearing of yourselves," namely, to me by Titus: anxiety to show you disapproved of the deed.
indignation—against the offender.
fear—of the wrath of God, and of sinning any more [SCLATER and CALVIN]; fear of Paul [GROTIUS], (1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 4:19-21).
vehement desire—longing for restoration to Paul's approval [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. "Fear" is in spite of one's self. "Longing desire" is spontaneous, and implies strong love and an aspiration for correction [CALVIN]. "Desire" for the presence of Paul, as he had given them the hope of it (1 Corinthians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 16:5) [GROTIUS and ESTIUS].
zeal—for right and for God's honor against what is wrong. Or, "for the good of the soul of the offender" [BENGEL].
revenge—Translate, "Exacting of punishment" (1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 5:3). Their "carefulness" was exhibited in the six points just specified: "clearing of themselves," and "indignation" in relation to themselves; "fear" and "vehement desire" in respect to the apostle; "zeal" and "revenge" in respect to the offender [BENGEL]; (compare 2 Corinthians 7:7).
In all—the respects just stated.
clear—Greek, "pure," namely, from complicity in the guilty deed. "Approved yourselves," Greek, "commended yourselves." Whatever suspicion of complicity rested on you (1 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 5:6) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.
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