John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience , etc..] Not with the temporal sword, as the civil magistrate, but with the spiritual one; meaning either censures and excommunication, which a faithful minister of the Gospel, with the suffrage of the church, has at hand, and a power to make use of, for the reclaiming of disobedient persons; or rather that extraordinary power which was peculiar to the apostles, of inflicting punishments on delinquents, such as what was exercised by Peter upon Ananias and Sapphira, by the Apostle Paul on Elymas the sorcerer, the incestuous person, and Hymenaeus and Philetus, and which still continued with him; it was ready at hand, he could exercise it whenever he pleased, he only waited a proper time: when your obedience is fulfilled : till they were thoroughly reformed from the several abuses, both in doctrine and practice, they had fallen into, and were brought into a better order and decorum, and appeared to have been in all things obedient to the directions he had given; being unwilling, as yet, to use the awful authority he had from Christ, lest any of the dear children of God, who were capable of being restored by gentler methods, should suffer with the refractory and incorrigible.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - While others thought meanly, and spake scornfully of the apostle, he had low thoughts, and spake humbly of himself. We should be aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when me reproach us. The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth an the meekness of wisdom. Conscience is accountable to God only; an people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force Thus the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conques the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appea to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety and wickedness.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εν 1722 PREP ετοιμω 2092 A-DSN εχοντες 2192 5723 V-PAP-NPM εκδικησαι 1556 5658 V-AAN πασαν 3956 A-ASF παρακοην 3876 N-ASF οταν 3752 CONJ πληρωθη 4137 5686 V-APS-3S υμων 5216 P-2GP η 3588 T-NSF υπακοη 5218 N-NSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. To avenge all disobedience, etc. The military metaphor continued. After most have surrendered and thus fulfilled their obedience, some rebels may remain, and these will be punished.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
10:6 {Being in readiness} (en hetoimwi econtes). this very idiom occurs in Polybius, Philo, etc. "Holding in readiness." In #12:14 we have hetoim"s ecw for the same idea (adverb hetoim"s). {Disobedience} (parakoen). Rare word (Plato, papyri) hearing amiss (aside), failing to hear, refusing to heed (cf. #Mt 18:17 for same idea in parakou"). In N.T. only here; #Ro 5:19; Heb 2:2. In contrast with hupakoe (obedience) rather than the common apeiqia (#Ro 11:30,32). {When your obedience shall be fulfilled} (hotan plerwqei humwn he hupakoe). Indefinite temporal clause with hotan and first aorist passive subjunctive. Paul expects that the whole church will become obedient to Christ's will soon as came true.
