1–6. These opening verses deal with a difficulty which had been growing at Corinth. He was so often obliged to speak of himself and his authority, that he laid himself open to the sneering reminder that “self-praise is no recommendation.” The outburst of praise in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 is likely to... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἢ ΜΉ (אBCDFG, Vulg. Syrr.) rather than εἰ μή (AKLP, Arm., Chrys.); and ὭΣ ΤΙΝΕΣ (אBCD3FGKLP) rather than ὥσπερ τινές (AD1 and some cursives); and ἸΞ ὙΜΩ͂Ν without addition (אABC, Copt. Arm. Aeth.) rather than with συστατικῶν (DFGKLP, Syrr. Goth.). 1. ἈΡΧΌΜΕΘΑ ΠΆΛΙΝ ἙΑΥΤΟῪΣ ΣΥΝΙΣΤΆΝΕΙΝ; ARE WE BEGINN... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἡ ἘΠΙΣΤΟΛῊ ἩΜΩ͂Ν ὙΜΕΙ͂Σ ἘΣΤΈ. The metaphor is loosely used. The Corinthians are themselves a letter; the letter is written on the Apostle’s heart; it is also written on their hearts. There are two main points. 1. ‘We have got something better than ordinary letters; we have got yourselves, and the af... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑΡΔΊΑΙΣ (אABCDGLP) rather than καρδίας (FK, Vulg. Copt. Arm. Syr-Pesh., Iren-Lat. Orig. Chrys.). Westcott and Hort suspect that the second πλαξίν is a primitive clerical error. 3. ΦΑΝΕΡΟΎΜΕΝΟΙ. Nothing need be inserted: _being made manifest that ye are_ AN _epistle of Christ_. No article: see on 2... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΕΠΟΊΘΗΣΙΝ ΔῈ ΤΟΙΑΎΤΗΝ ἜΧΟΜΕΝ. _And_ CONFIDENCE _of this kind we have through Christ to God-ward_ (see on 2 Corinthians 1:15). ‘We did not get it through our ability in reference to our own work.’ The confidence (first with emphasis), is that which is indicated in 2 Corinthians 3:1-3,—the sure testi... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΦʼ ἙΑΝΤΩ͂Ν before ἱκανοί ἑσμεν (אBC, Copt. Arm.) rather than after λογίσασθαί τι (ADFGP) or after ἱκανοί ἐσμεν (KL); and ΛΟΓΊΣΑΣΘΑΙ (אABKL) rather than λογίζεσθαι (CDFG); and ἘΞ ΑὙΤΩ͂Ν (BFG) rather than ἐξ ἑαυτῶν (אACD). 5. ΟΥ̓Χ ὍΤΙ�ʼ ἙΑΥΤΩ͂Ν ἹΚΑΝΟΊ ἘΣΜΕΝ. I DO NOT MEAN _that_ (2 Corinthians 1:24)... [ Continue Reading ]
ὋΣ ΚΑῚ ἹΚΆΝΩΣΕΝ ἩΜΑ͂Σ ΔΙΑΚΌΝΟΥΣ. _Who also_ MADE _us_ SUFFICIENT AS _ministers_ (R.V.). The repetition, ἱκανοί, ἱκανότης, ἱκάνωσεν, must be preserved; also the aorist, which (as in Colossians 1:12) points to the moment when the gift of competency was bestowed. For διάκονος comp. 2 Corinthians 11:15;... [ Continue Reading ]
ΓΡΆΜΜΑΣΙΝ (אACD2D3KLP, Vulg. Copt. Goth.) rather than γράμματι (BDG, Arm.); and ΛΊΘΟΙΣ (אABC) rather than ἐν λίθοις (א3KL, Vulg. Arm.). 7. ἘΝ ΓΡΆΜΜΑΣΙΝ ἘΝΤΕΤΥΠΩΜΈΝΗ ΛΊΘΟΙΣ. ENGRAVEN IN LETTERS (see critical note) ON _stones_. The thought of the πλαξὶν λιθίναις is still in his mind. The Ten Commandm... [ Continue Reading ]
7–11. The inferiority of the Law to the Gospel is set forth in a detailed argument directed against the Judaizers: ὅρα πῶς πάλιν ὑποτέμνεται τὸ φρόνημα τὸ Ἰουδαικόν (Chrysostom).... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΩ͂Σ ΟΥ̓ΧῚ ΜΑ͂ΛΛΟΝ … ἜΣΤΑΙ ἘΝ ΔΌΞΗΙ. _How shall not_ (Romans 8:32) RATHER (1 Corinthians 12:22) _the ministration of the spirit be_ WITH GLORY. The change from ἐγενήθη to ἔσται marks the difference between the glory imparted to the Law, which was short and is past, and the innate glory of the Gospel... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἡ ΔΙΑΚΟΝΊΑ (BD2KLP, f Copt. Goth., Chrys.) rather than τῇ διακονίᾳ (אACDFG, d am Syrr. Aeth), but doubtfully; and ΔΌΞΗΙ (אABC) rather than ἐν δόξῃ (א3DFGKLP, Vulg. Arm.). The ἐν may come from 2 Corinthians 3:11. 9. The Apostle justifies (γάρ) what has just been said by showing that the same contrast... [ Continue Reading ]
10. He again justifies (γάρ) what has just been said, adding καί to mark a new point. The Gospel’s superabundance in glory is shown by the fact that it absolutely eclipsed the Law. _For_ INDEED _that which_ HATH BEEN _made glorious hath_ EVEN NOT BEEN MADE GLORIOUS (hath even been deprived of glory)... [ Continue Reading ]
11. He continues the justification (γάρ) of what has been said. _For if that which_ IS BEING _done away_ (2 Corinthians 3:7) _was_ THROUGH GLORY, _much more that which_ abideth (Romans 9:11) _is in glory_. The fading of the glory from the face of Moses indicated that the ministration which he instit... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΑΡΡΗΣΊΑΙ. BOLDNESS _of speech_ (Ephesians 6:19; Philippians 1:20). Freedom from _fear_, especially in reference to _speech_, is the radical meaning of the word. Then it easily passes to freedom from _reserve_, and is transferred from speech to _action_ (John 7:4; John 11:54). See on 2 Corinthians 7... [ Continue Reading ]
12–18. This overwhelming superiority of the Gospel inspires its ministers with great boldness. An Apostle has no need to veil the glory which he has received, for there is no fear of its being seen to fade away. In 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 S. Paul spoke of his _confidence_ (2 Corinthians 3:4). Here he sp... [ Continue Reading ]
ΑΥ̓ΤΟΥ͂ (ABCFGLP) rather than ἑαντοῦ (אDK). 13. ΚΑῚ ΟΥ̓ ΚΑΘΆΠΕΡ Μ. ἘΤΊΘΕΙ ΚΆΛΥΜΜΑ. _And not, as M. used to put a veil over his face_, do we act. The suppression of what corresponds to καθάπερ, ὥσπερ, ὡς, and the like, is natural and not rare; comp. Matthew 25:14; Mark 13:34. Excepting Hebrews 4:2, t... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΛΛᾺ ἘΠΩΡΏΘΗ ΤᾺ ΝΟΉΜΑΤΑ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ν. _But their minds were blinded_. This suits those whose power of perception is covered with a veil, whose ‘minds the god of this world has blinded’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). The R.V. here substitutes ‘hardened’ for ‘blinded,’ in accordance with the original meaning of πῶρο... [ Continue Reading ]
ἩΝΊΚΑ ἊΝ� (אABC) rather than ἡνίκα� (FGKL) or ἡνίκα� (DP). The ἄν was lost in ἀναγιν. 15. ἈΛΛʼ ἝΩΣ ΣΉΜΕΡΟΝ ἩΝΊΚΑ ἌΝ. See critical note. _But unto this day_, WHENSOEVER _Moses is read_, a _veil_ (see on 2 Corinthians 2:16) LIES _upon their heart_. The ἀλλά marks the opposition to μὴ�: _but_, so far f... [ Continue Reading ]
ἩΝΊΚΑ ΔῈ ἘΆΝ. BUT WHENSOEVER IT _shall turn to the Lord_. The nominative is ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, or possibly τις: ‘whensoever a man.’ The ἡνίκα here balances ἡνίκα in 2 Corinthians 3:15 : whenever they hear the Law read, they fail to understand: whenever they turn to the Lord (Christ) the true meaning is... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΥΡΊΟΥ, ἘΛΕΥΘΕΡΊΑ (אABCD) rather than Κυρίου, ἐκεῖ ἐλευθερία (א3D2D3FGKLP, Arm. Aeth.). Hort suspects that the original reading was κύριον, ἑλευθερία. 2 Corinthians 3:1 to 2 Corinthians 6:10. VINDICATION IN DETAIL OF HIS APOSTOLIC OFFICE, OF HIMSELF AS AN APOSTLE, AND OF THE GOSPEL WHICH HE PREACHE... [ Continue Reading ]
ἩΜΕΙ͂Σ ΔῈ ΠΆΝΤΕΣ. This refers, not (as in 2 Corinthians 3:1-12) to the ministers of the Gospel, but to all Christians, to all who have been set free by the presence of the Spirit. In the new dispensation the privilege is universal, not, as in the old, confined to one mediator. The δέ refers back to... [ Continue Reading ]