2 Corinthians 1:11

συνυπουργούντων καὶ ὑμῶν ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τῇ δεήσει. Ye also helping together on our behalf by your supplication (R.V.). For different words for ‘prayer’ see Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1 : δέησις is often used of intercession; 2 Corinthians 9:14; Romans 10:1; Philippians 1:4; Philippians 1:19; 2 Timothy 1:3; Hebrews 5:7. See Trench, Synonyms of the N.T. § li. The misconduct of the Corinthians had nearly killed the Apostle: but, now that he has the good news brought by Titus, he feels sure of their help; and he tells them that his future deliverance from similar danger depends upon their intercessions cooperating with his own prayers. The participle means ‘while ye help’ rather than ‘if ye help.’

ἴνα ἐκ πολλῶν προσώπων. The general meaning of this clause is evident, however we may explain the details. Thankfulness for their deliverance is not to be confined to Paul and Timothy: their preservation will be recognized as a blessing by many, who will thank God for it. The ἵνα depends upon συνυπουργούντων ὑμῶν rather than upon ῥύσεται. If διὰ πολλῶν is neuter, it means ‘by many words’; but it is probably masculine, and yet is not the same group of persons as ἐκ πολλῶν προσώπων. Rather, the latter refers to those who by their intercessions won the gift for the Apostle, while διὰ πολλῶν refers to those who give thanks for it (A. V., R.V.). Probably πρόσωπον is here ‘person’ rather than ‘face,’ like persona = (1) ‘mask’; (2) ‘person.’ See on 2 Corinthians 2:10. But it is possible to keep the literal meaning in the sense of the expression of gratitude beaming ‘out from many faces.’ In that case ‘the many faces,’ or mouths, are those of the many by whom thanks are given: that out of many lips thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the blessing bestowed upon us. It is unlikely that the first πολλῶν is the genitive after προσώπων, although the Vulgate takes it so: ut ex multorum personis ejus quae in nobis est donationis per multos gratiae agantur pro nobis. In the N.T. χάρισμα is peculiar to S. Paul, excepting 1 Peter 4:10. Here, as there, it is used of an external blessing. It commonly means an internal gift of grace, especially some extraordinary power; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:31, &c. For πρόσωπα comp. ὀλίγα πρόσωπα (Clem. Rom. i. 1), and ἐν τοῖς προγεγραμμένοις προσώποις (Ign. Magn. vi., where see Lightfoot’s note.) Chrysostom twice reads ἐν πολλῷ προσώπῳ with FGM, d g.

εὐχαριστηθῇ. This passive has two uses; (1) of the person thanked (Philo, Quis rer. div. heres § 36), and (2) of the thing for which thanks are given (here only in the N.T. Comp. Just. Apol. i. 65).

2 Corinthians 1:12 to 2 Corinthians 7:16. APOLOGIA PRO VITA SUA

This is the first of the two (or three?) main divisions of the letter. In it he reminds the Corinthians of his relations with them, and enters into a variety of explanations of his conduct. He vindicates his apostolic walk and character, shows what the office, sufferings, and life of an Apostle are, and what claims he has upon them. Titus has convinced him that the Corinthians now recognize these claims, and that he may consider himself to be entirely reconciled to them.

For convenience we may break up this first division into three sections; 2 Corinthians 1:12 to 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 3:1 to 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 6:11 to 2 Corinthians 7:16.

2 Corinthians 1:12 to 2 Corinthians 2:17. VINDICATION OF HIS CONDUCT, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO THE CHARGE OF LIGHTNESS AND TO THE CASE OF THE GRIEVOUS OFFENDER