Num 25:11, 13, Psa 69:9, 2Cor 7:11, 9:2 | JFB | e4.org | 11-13. Phinehas . . . hath turned my wrath away —This assurance was a signal mark of honor that the stain of blood, instead of defiling, confirmed him in office and that his posterity should continue as long as the national existence of Israel.

‏ Numbers 25:11

11-13. Phinehas . . . hath turned my wrath away—This assurance was a signal mark of honor that the stain of blood, instead of defiling, confirmed him in office and that his posterity should continue as long as the national existence of Israel.

‏ Numbers 25:13

‏ Psalms 69:9

7-12. This plea contemplates his relation to God as a sufferer in His cause. Reproach, domestic estrangement (Mr 3:21; Joh 7:5), exhaustion in God's service (Joh 2:17), revilings and taunts of base men were the sufferings.

‏ 2 Corinthians 7:11

11. Confirmation of 2Co 7:10 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], (1Co 4:2, 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 (1Co 4:19; 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" (1Co 5:2, 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 2Co 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 (1Co 5:2, 6) through your former remissness, you have cleared off by your present strenuousness in reprobating the deed.

‏ 2 Corinthians 9:2

2. ready a year ago—to send off the money, owing to the apostle's former exhortation (1Co 16:1, 2).

your zeal—Greek, "the zeal from you," that is, on your part; propagated from you to others.

provoked—that is, stimulated.

very many—Greek, "the greater number," namely, of the Macedonians.