2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus . . .—From his present experience of the triumph of life over death he passes to the future victory of which that triumph was the earnest. It is clear that he speaks here not of any deliverance from danger or disease, but of the resurrection of which he had spoken so fully in 1 Corinthians 15. The better MSS. give with Jesus, the Received text having apparently originated in a desire to adapt the words to the fact that Christ had already risen. St. Paul’s thoughts, however, dwell so continually on his fellowship with Christ that he thinks of the future resurrection of the body, no less than of the spiritual resurrection which he has already experienced (Ephesians 2:6), as not only wrought by Him but associated with Him; and in this hope of his he includes the Corinthians to whom he writes. It will then be seen, he trusts, that “life” has indeed been “working” in them. The verb “present,” as describing the work of Christ, and, we may add, his own work as a minister of Christ, under this aspect, is a favourite one with St. Paul (2Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:27; Colossians 1:22).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:13-18 The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrection will encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for the advantage of the church, and to God's glory. The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation, are for the good of the church and the glory of God. The prospect of eternal life and happiness was their support and comfort. What sense was ready to pronounce heavy and long, grievous and tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a moment. The weight of all temporal afflictions was lightness itself, while the glory to come was a substance, weighty, and lasting beyond description. If the apostle could call his heavy and long-continued trials light, and but for a moment, what must our trifling difficulties be! Faith enables to make this right judgment of things. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. And there is this vast difference between them; unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then look off from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages, or to fear present distresses. Let us give diligence to make our future happiness sure.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Knowing - Being fully confident; having the most entire assurance. It was the assured hope of the resurrection which sustained them in all their trials. This expression denotes the full and unwavering belief, in the minds of the apostles, that the doctrines which they preached were true. They knew that they were revealed from heaven, and that all the promises of God would be fulfilled.

Shall raise up us also - All Christians. In the hope of the resurrection they were ready to meet trials, and even to die. Sustained by this assurance, the apostles went forth amidst persecutions and opposition, for they knew that their trials would soon end, and that they would be raised up in the morning of the resurrection, to a world of eternal glory.

By Jesus - By the power or the agency of Jesus. Christ will raise up the dead from their graves, John 5:25-29.

And shall present us with you - Will present us before the throne of glory with exceeding joy and honor. He will present us to God as those who have been redeemed by his blood. He will present us in the courts of heaven, before the throne of the eternal Father, as his ransomed people; as recovered from the ruins of the fall; as saved by the merits of his blood. They shall not only be raised up from the dead; but they shall be publicly and solemnly presented to God as his, as recovered to his service, and as having a title in the covenant of grace to the blessedness of heaven.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. Knowing—by faith (2Co 5:1).

shall raise up us also—at the resurrection (1Co 6:13, 14).

by Jesus—The oldest manuscripts have "with Jesus."

present us—vividly picturing the scene before the eyes (Jude 24).

with you—(2Co 1:14; 1Th 2:19, 20; 3:13).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Knowing that God the Father, who raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead, as the first-fruits of them that sleep, shall likewise, by the virtue of his resurrection, and by a power flowing from him, as now alive, and sitting at the right hand of God, quicken our mortal bodies; that both our souls and bodies may be presented with you, to be both eternally glorified: this maketh us that we do not fear death, but are unconcerned, although by wicked men we every day be delivered to it, and brought within the danger and sight of it; still the resurrection of Christ is made the foundation of our resurrection, and a firm ground for our faith of it. And we are from this text confirmed in the truth of this, that although the lot of God’s people in this life be very different, (some are poor, some rich, some in prosperity, some in adversity, and encompassed with sorrows and afflictions), yet if they have all the same faith, they shall all meet in the resurrection, and shall, by Christ, be all presented unto God as persons redeemed by him, and washed with his blood, and who shall be glorified together.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus,.... Besides having the same spirit of faith, mentioned in the preceding verse as a support under tribulation, the apostle proceeds in this, and some following verses, to take notice of other things which gave them relief under their pressures; such as the resurrection from the dead, all their afflictions being for the good of the churches and glory of God, the inward and comfortable experiences of the love and grace of God in the midst of them, and the end and issue of them, eternal glory. The former of these is observed here; "knowing", being firmly persuaded, and fully assured, that he "which raised up the Lord Jesus"; by whom God the Father is more especially designed, though not to the exclusion of the Son and Spirit, who were jointly concerned in raising the dead body of our Lord: shall raise us up also by Jesus; which may regard the resurrection of all the saints by Christ, not as a mere instrument, but as a co-efficient cause with the Father and Spirit: this the apostle concludes from the power of God in raising up Christ from the dead; he that is able to do the one, is certainly of power to effect the other; and also from that union there is between Christ and his people; he is the head, they are his members; and because the head is raised, the members shall be likewise. Christ's resurrection is not only the pattern, but the pledge of the resurrection of the saints. Now this doctrine, as it was fully known, and firmly believed by the apostles, was of great use to bear them up under their outward troubles; for though they were so afflicted and persecuted, death was visibly working in them, and they might expect in a short time to be laid in the grave; yet this was their consolation, that they should be raised again immortal and glorious by Christ; some copies read, "with Jesus", and so the Vulgate Latin version: "he shall present us with you"; that is, he will present us ministers, together with you the saints, and the rest of the elect of God; first, "to himself", as the Syriac version adds, and then to his Father, in their full number, completely righteous and holy. These words indeed may be understood of a deliverance from temporal affliction, from that death they were labouring under, and exposed unto, and the sense be this; we firmly believe that he that raised up Christ from the dead, will deliver us from the present death of affliction, which will be a sort of resurrection from the dead, and will make us to stand by you, or in your presence; or, in other words, being thus delivered, we shall have an opportunity of visiting you, we have so long desired, and you have expected, which will be to your edification and comfort.

Geneva Study Bible

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:14. Encouraging assurance accompanying this λαλοῦμεν (not its contents); since we are certain that, etc. Comp. Romans 5:3; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

ὁ ἐγείρας τ. κ. Ἰησ.] Comp. on 1 Corinthians 6:14; Romans 8:11. This designation of God contains the ground of faith for the conviction about to be expresse.

καὶ ἡμᾶς σὺν Ἰησοῦ ἐγερεῖ κ. παραστ. σὺν ὑμῖν] This is usually understood of the actual resurrection from the dead, and of the presenting before the judgment-seat of Christ. And this view is the right one, partly because it alone is in keeping with the definite expressions, partly because it is in the highest degree suitable to the connection, when Paul here at the close of what he says regarding his sufferings and perils of death expresses the certainty of the last and supreme consummation as the deepest ground of his all-defying courage of faith. This amid all afflictions is his καυχᾶσθαι ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι τῆς δόξης τοῦ θεοῦ, Romans 5:2. Paul, indeed, expected that he himself and most of his readers would live to see the Parousia (1 Corinthians 15:51 f., 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Corinthians 1:13 f.); but the possibility of meeting death in the deadly persecutions was always and even now before his mind (1 Corinthians 15:31 f.; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Php 1:20 f., 2 Corinthians 2:17; Acts 20:25; Acts 20:38); and out of this case conceived as possible, which subsequently he for the time being even posits as a certainty (see on Acts 20:25), he expresses here in presence of his eventual death his triumphant consciousness ὅτι ὁ ἐγείρας κ.τ.λ. Hence there is no ground for explaining it, with Beza (who, however, again abandoned this view), Calixtus (“suscitabit a morte sc. illa quotidiana”), Schulz, Rückert, Neander, of the resurrection in a figurative sense, viz. of the overcoming the constant perils of death (2 Corinthians 4:10-12), which, it is held, is a resurrection with Jesus, in so far as through it there arises a fellowship of destiny with the risen Christ. This interpretation is not demanded by the correct reading σὺν Ἰησοῦ, as if this σὺν (comp. Romans 6:4; Romans 6:8; Ephesians 2:5 f.) presupposed the spiritual meaning. It is true that the raising of the dead takes place διὰ Ἰησοῦ, and has its basis ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ (1 Corinthians 15:21-22); but Christians may be also conceived and designated as one day becoming raised with Jesus, since they are members of Christ, and Christ is the ἀπαρχή (1 Corinthians 15:23) of all who rise from the dead. The believer, in virtue of his connection with the Lord, knows himself already in his temporal life as risen with Christ (see on Colossians 2:12; Colossians 3:1), and what he thus knows in faith emerges at the last day into objective completion and outward realit.

καὶ παραστήσει σὺν ὑμῖν] and will present us together with you. This is taken, according to the previously rejected figurative sense of ἐγερεῖ, to refer to the presentation of the conquerors over deadly perils, or even in the sense: “and will bring us together again with you” (Neander, Rückert). But, according to the context, after the mention of the resurrection, it obviously denotés the presentation before the judgment-seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10; Colossians 1:22; Ephesians 5:27; Luke 21:36), where the righteous receive the eternal δόξα (2 Timothy 4:8). With Christ they have suffered; with Him they have risen; and now before the throne of the Lord their συνδοξασθῆναι, (Romans 8:15) sets in, which must be the blessed result of their presentation before the Judge. Hence Hofmann is wrong in thinking that there is no allusion to the judgment-seat of Christ in παραστ. Comp. on Colossians 1:22. In the certainty of this last consummation Paul has the deepest ground of encouragement for his undaunted working, and the presentiment of such a glorious consummation is made still sweeter to him by the glance at the fellowship of love with his Corinthians, together with whom he will reach the blessed goal unto eternal union. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:19. Hence: σὺν ὑμῖν, which is an essential part of the inward certainty expressed by εἰδότες κ.τ.λ., which gives him high encouragement. We may add that the ὑμεῖς will be partly those risen, partly those changed alive (1 Corinthians 15:51 ff.; 1 Thessalonians 4:14 ff.).

Expositor's Greek Testament

2 Corinthians 4:14. Despite the contrast between death in us and life in you (2 Corinthians 4:12), we trust that we too shall share in that Risen Life of Christ. εἰδότες ὅτι κ.τ.λ.: knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus (see reff.) shall raise up us also with Jesus, sc., on the Day of the general Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:14), and shall present us with you (see reff.). Observe that the A.V. “shall raise up us also by Jesus” depends on a wrong reading, and perverts the sense. It would appear from this passage that the Apostle did not hope to be alive at the Second Advent of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Corinthians 15:52), although at an earlier period he seems to have cherished such an expectation (1 Thessalonians 4:15).

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus] Here we have the source of the Apostle’s faith and confidence. He knew that the Resurrection of Christ was an accomplished fact (see notes on 1 Corinthians 15, and Introduction to First Epistle). Hence arose his persuasion that a life was given to him which should survive and overcome even death itself.

by Jesus] All recent editors substitute with Jesus, which, however, does not mean at the same time with, but by virtue of the operation of the same life and spirit. For the life that dwells in Jesus dwells also in His disciples, John 6:54. We are the members, Christ the Head; we are the crop, Christ the firstfruits, 1 Corinthians 15:23. Cf. Romans 1:4, as well as ch. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, and Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:13. Chrysostom omits the words altogether. Meyer remarks that though St Paul believed that he and the majority of his readers would live to see the actual coming of Christ in the flesh, the possibility that this might not be the case was ever before his eyes. See 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15.

and shall present us with you] i.e. shall place us in His own Presence. Cf. Romans 14:10; Colossians 1:22; Jude 24; ch. 2 Corinthians 5:10, and 1 Corinthians 8:8, and note.

Bengel's Gnomen

2 Corinthians 4:14. Εἰδότες, knowing) by great faith, ch. 2 Corinthians 5:1.—παραστήσει, shall present) This word places the matter as it were under our eyes [Hypotyposis; a vivid word-picture of some action, Append.]

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - Which raised up the Lord Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 6:14). Shall raise up us also. The thought is again expressed in Romans 8:11. As he is here alluding mainly to the resurrection from the dead, it is clear that he contemplated the possibility of dying before Christ's second coming (comp. 1 Thessalonians 4:15). By Jesus. The reading supported by nearly all the best manuscripts is "with Jesus" (א, B, C, D, E, F, G), which perhaps appeared unsuitable to the copyists. But Christians are "risen with Christ" here (Colossians 2:12; Colossians 3:1); and in another sense also we rise with him, because the Church is "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:23). Shall present us with you. So St. Jude speaks of "God our Saviour" as able "to present us" before the presence of his glory (Jude 1:24, 25). 2 Corinthians 4:14