Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:9

διὸ καὶ φιλοτιμούμεθα. Wherefore also (2 Corinthians 1:20) we are ambitious (R.V. margin), whether we are at home or absent from home, to be acceptable (Romans 12:1-2; Romans 14:18; Ephesians 5:10) to him. If εὐδοκέω is ‘am well pleased,’ we must have a different expression for εὐάρεστοι, for which otherwise ‘well-pleasing’ (Philippians 4:18; Colossians 3:20; Hebrews 13:21) is accurate: in LXX. only Wis 4:10; Wis 9:10. In late Greek, φιλοτιμέομαι loses its definiteness, and need mean no more than ‘strive earnestly’: so that ‘labour’ (A.V.) and ‘make it our aim’ (R.V.) represent it fairly well. Elsewhere only Romans 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Nevertheless the older meaning may be right here. This aim of the Apostle is his legitimate ambition: whatever his personal wishes might be, this is a point of honour with him. It is incredible that εἴτε ἐνδημοῦντες εἴτε ἐκδμοῦντες refers to his place of abode in this world. Both 2 Corinthians 5:8 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 show that the reference is to being in the body or out of the body. His ambition is, in either state to have Christ’s approval. See on 2 Corinthians 1:6.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:9

Old Testament

New Testament