NOW I PAUL MYSELF (Αυτος δε εγω Παυλος). Cf. Galatians 5:2. Paul now turns to the third part of the epistle in Chapter s 2 Corinthians 10:10-13 in which he vigorously defends himself against the accusations of the stubborn minority of Judaizers in Corinth. Great ministers of Christ through the ag... [ Continue Reading ]
I BESEECH (δεομα). So here, but παρακαλω in verse 2 Corinthians 10:1. Perhaps, "I beg" suits the new turn here.THAT I MAY NOT WHEN PRESENT SHOW COURAGE (το μη παρων θαρρησα). Articular infinitive (aorist active of θαρρεω) in the accusative case with negative μη the direct object of δεομα. Liter... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE FLESH (εν σαρκ). But that is a very different thing from walking κατα σαρκα according to the standards of the flesh as his enemies charged. It is easy enough to make insinuations.WE WAR (στρατευομεθα). Literary plural again after λογιζομα in verse 2 Corinthians 10:2. Old word to lead an... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE (τα οπλα της στρατειας). Στρατεια (old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 1:18) isCAMPAIGN and not army as some MSS. have (στρατια). But both στρατεια and στρατια occur in the papyri for the same word (Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, p. 181f.). For οπλα (Latin _arma_)... [ Continue Reading ]
CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS (λογισμους καθαιρουντες). The same military figure (καθαιρεσις) and the present active participle agreeing with στρατευομεθα in verse 2 Corinthians 10:3 (verse 2 Corinthians 10:4 a parenthesis). The reasonings or imaginations (λογισμους, old word from λογιζομα, to reckon... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING IN READINESS (εν ετοιμω εχοντες). This very idiom occurs in Polybius, Philo, etc. "Holding in readiness." In 2 Corinthians 12:14 we have ετοιμως εχω for the same idea (adverb ετοιμως).DISOBEDIENCE (παρακοην). Rare word (Plato, papyri) hearing amiss (aside), failing to hear, refusing to hee... [ Continue Reading ]
YE LOOK (Βλεπετε). Either indicative or imperative. Either makes sense but the indicative the best sense.BEFORE YOUR FACE (κατα προσωπον). They ought to look below the surface. If it is imperative, they should see the facts.THAT HE IS CHRIST'S (Χριστου εινα). Predicate genitive in indirect di... [ Continue Reading ]
SOMEWHAT ABUNDANTLY (περισσοτερον τ). Comparative, "somewhat more abundantly" than I have, in order to show that he is as true a minister of Christ as his accusers are. Concessive (conditional) clause of third class. For εαν τε see Romans 14:8.I SHALL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME (ουκ αισχυνθησομα). As... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IF I WOULD TERRIFY YOU BY MY LETTERS (ως αν εκφοβειν υμας δια των επιστολων). This use of ως αν with the infinitive is seen in the papyri (Moulton, _Prolegomena_, p. 167) and it is not αν in the apodosis (Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 974, 1040). The active of this old compound verb means to frigh... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SAY (φασιν). Reading of B old Latin Vulgate, but Westcott and Hort prefer φησιν (says one, the leader). This charge Paul quotes directly.WEIGHTY AND STRONG (βαρεια κα ισχυρα). These adjectives can be uncomplimentary and mean "severe and violent" instead of "impressive and vigorous." The ad... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT WE ARE (οιο εσμεν). Rather, "what sort" (οιο), not ο (what) nor ο (who). Literary plural. Hοιος is qualitative just as τοιουτο (such). Paul's quality in his letters when absent (αποντες) and in his deeds when present (παροντες) is precisely the same.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO NUMBER OR COMPARE OURSELVES (ενκρινα η συνκρινα). Paronomasia here, play on the two words. Ενκρινα is first aorist active infinitive of old verb, but here only in N.T., to judge among, to judge one as worthy to be numbered among as here. The second verb συνκρινα (first aorist active infinitive... [ Continue Reading ]
BEYOND OUR MEASURE (εις τα αμετρα). "Into the unmeasured things," "the illimitable." Old word, here only in N.T.OF THE PROVINCE (του κανονος). Old word (καννα like Hebrew) a reed, a measuring rod. Numerous papyri examples for measuring rod and rules (our word canon). Only twice in N.T., here (a... [ Continue Reading ]
WE STRETCH NOT OURSELVES OVERMUCH (ου υπερεκτεινομεν εαυτους). Apparently Paul made this double compound verb to express his full meaning (only in Gregory Nazianzen afterwards). "We do not stretch ourselves out beyond our rights."WE CAME EVEN AS FAR AS UNTO YOU (αχρ κα υμων εφθασαμεν). First ao... [ Continue Reading ]
IN OTHER MEN'S LABOURS (εν αλλοτριοις κοποις). Αλλοτριος means belonging to another as in Luke 16:12. Paul founded the church in Corinth.AS YOUR FAITH GROWETH (αυξανομενης της πιστεως). Genitive absolute of the present passive participle of αυξανω, to grow.WE SHALL BE MAGNIFIED (μεγαλυνθηνα).... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN UNTO THE PARTS BEYOND YOU (εις τα υπερεκεινα υμων). Compound adverb (υπερ, εκεινα, beyond those places) used as preposition. Found only here and in ecclesiastical writers.THINGS READY TO OUR HAND (τα ετοιμα). He had a plenty besides that he could use.... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul quotes Proverbs 27:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS APPROVED (δοκιμος). Accepted (from δεχομα) by the Lord. The Lord accepts his own recommendation (συνιστησιν, see on 2 Corinthians 3:1).... [ Continue Reading ]