WOULD THAT YE COULD BEAR WITH ME (οφελον ανειχεσθε μου). _Koine_ way of expressing a wish about the present, οφελον (as a conjunction, really second aorist active indicative of οφειλω without augment) and the imperfect indicative instead of ειθε or ε γαρ (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1003). Cf. Revel... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A GODLY JEALOUSY (θεου ζηλω). Instrumental case of ζηλος. With a jealousy of God.I ESPOUSED (ηρμοσαμην). First aorist middle indicative of αρμοζω, old verb to join, to fit together (from αρμος, joint). Common for betrothed, though only here in N.T. The middle voice indicates Paul's interes... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SERPENT BEGUILED EVE (ο οφις εξηπατησεν Hευαν). Paul's only mention of the serpent in Eden. The compound εξαπαταω means to deceive completely.LEST BY ANY MEANS (μη πως). Common conjunction after verbs of fearing.CORRUPTED (φθαρη). Second aorist passive subjunctive with μη πως of φθειρω, t... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER JESUS (αλλον Ιησουν). Not necessarily a different Jesus, but any other "Jesus" is a rival and so wrong. That would deny the identity.A DIFFERENT SPIRIT (πνευμα ετερον). This is the obvious meaning of ετερον in distinction from αλλον as seen in Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:6. But this distinct... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I AM NOT A WHIT BEHIND THE VERY CHIEFEST APOSTLES (μηδεν υστερηκενα των υπερλιαν αποστολων). Perfect active infinitive of υστερεω, old verb to fall short with the ablative case. The rare compound adverb υπερλιαν (possibly in use in the vernacular) is probably ironical also, "the super apostl... [ Continue Reading ]
RUDE IN SPEECH (ιδιωτης τω λογω). Locative case with ιδιωτης for which word see on Acts 4:13; 1 Corinthians 14:16; 1 Corinthians 14:23; 1 Corinthians 14:24. The Greeks regarded a man as ιδιωτης who just attended to his own affairs (τα ιδια) and took no part in public life. Paul admits that he is... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ABASING MYSELF (εμαυτον ταπεινων). Humbling myself by making tents for a living while preaching in Corinth. He is ironical still about "doing a sin" (αμαρτιαν εποιησα).FOR NOUGHT (δωρεαν). _Gratis_. Accusative of general reference, common adverb. It amounts to sarcasm to ask if he did a sin... [ Continue Reading ]
I ROBBED (εσυλησα). Old verb to despoil, strip arms from a slain foe, only here in N.T. He allowed other churches to do more than their share.TAKING WAGES (λαβων οψωνιον). For οψωνιον see on 1 Corinthians 9:7; Romans 6:17. He got his "rations" from other churches, not from Corinth while there.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS NOT A BURDEN TO ANY MAN (ου κατεναρκησα ουθενος). First aorist active indicative of καταναρκαω. Jerome calls this word one of Paul's _cilicisms_ which he brought from Cilicia. But the word occurs in Hippocrates for growing quite stiff and may be a medical term in popular use. Ναρκαω means t... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MAN SHALL STOP ME OF THIS GLORYING (η καυχησις αυτη ου φραγησετα εις εμε). More exactly, "This glorying shall not be fenced in as regards me." Second future passive of φρασσω, to fence in, to stop, to block in. Old verb, only here in N.T.IN THE REGIONS OF ACHAIA (εν τοις κλιμασιν της Αχαιας)... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD KNOWETH (ο θεος οιδεν). Whether they do or not. He knows that God understands his motives.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY CUT OFF OCCASION (ινα εκκοψω την αφορμην). Purpose clause with ινα and first aorist active subjunctive of εκκοπτω, old verb to cut out or off (Matthew 3:10; Matthew 5:30). See 2 Corinthians 5:12 for αφορμην.FROM THEM WHICH DESIRE AN OCCASION (των θελοντων αφορμην). Ablative case afte... [ Continue Reading ]
FALSE APOSTLES (ψευδαποστολο). From ψευδης, false, and αποστολος. Paul apparently made this word (cf. Revelation 2:2). In verse 2 Corinthians 11:26 we have ψευδαδελφος, a word of like formation (Galatians 2:4). See also ψευδοχριστο and ψευδοπροφητα in Mark 13:22.DECEITFUL (δολιο). Old word from... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL OF LIGHT (αγγελον φωτος). The prince of darkness puts on the garb of light and sets the fashion for his followers in the masquerade to deceive the saints. "Like master like man." Cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11; Galatians 1:8. This terrible portrayal reveals the depth of Paul's feelings about the... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (ως διακονο δικαιοσυνης). Jesus (John 10:1-21) terms these false shepherds thieves and robbers. It is a tragedy to see men in the livery of heaven serve the devil.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN THINK ME FOOLISH (μη τις με δοξη αφρονα εινα). Usual construction in a negative prohibition with μη and the aorist subjunctive δοξη (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 933).BUT IF YE DO (ε δε μη γε). Literally, "But if not at least (or otherwise)," that is, If you do think me foolish.YET AS FO... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT AFTER THE LORD (ου κατα Κυριον). Not after the example of the Lord. He had appealed to the example of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:1 (the meekness and gentleness of Christ). Paul's conduct here, he admits, is not in keeping with that. But circumstances force him on.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE FLESH (κατα σαρκα). It is κατα σαρκα not κατα Κυριον.I ALSO (καγω). But he knows that it is a bit of foolishness and not like Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
GLADLY (ηδεως). Irony again. Cf. καλος in 2 Corinthians 11:4 (Mark 7:9). So as to φρονιμο οντες (being wise).... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE BEAR WITH A MAN (ανεχεσθε γαρ). " You tolerate tyranny, extortion, craftiness, arrogance, violence, and insult" (Plummer). Sarcasm that cut to the bone. Note the verb with each of the five conditional clauses (enslaves, devours, takes captive, exalteth himself, smites on the face). The cli... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WAY OF DISPARAGEMENT (κατα ατιμιαν). Intense irony. Cf. 2 Corinthians 6:8.AS THOUGH (ως οτ). Presented as the charge of another. "They more than tolerate those who trample on them while they criticize as 'weak' one who shows them great consideration" (Plummer). After these prolonged explanat... [ Continue Reading ]
SO AM I (καγω). This is his triumphant refrain with each challenge.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ONE BESIDE HIMSELF (παραφρονων). Present active participle of παραφρονεω. Old verb from παραφρων (παρα, φρην), beside one's wits. Only here in N.T. Such open boasting is out of accord with Paul's spirit and habit.I MORE (υπερ εγω). This adverbial use of υπερ appears in ancient Greek (Euripid... [ Continue Reading ]
FIVE TIMES RECEIVED I FORTY STRIPES SAVE ONE (πεντακις τεσσερακοντα παρα μιαν ελαβον). The Acts and the Epistles are silent about these Jewish floggings (Matthew 27:36). See on Luke 12:47 for omission of πληγας (stripes). Thirty-nine lashes was the rule for fear of a miscount (Deuteronomy 25:1-3)... [ Continue Reading ]
THRICE WAS I BEATEN WITH RODS (τρις ερραβδισθην). Roman (Gentile) punishment. It was forbidden to Roman citizens by the _Lex Porcia_, but Paul endured it in Philippi (Acts 16:23; Acts 16:37), the only one of the three named in Acts. First aorist passive of ραβδιζω, from ραβδος, rod, _Koine_ word,... [ Continue Reading ]
IN JOURNEYINGS (οδοιποριαις). Locative case of old word, only here in N.T. and John 4:6, from οδοιπορος, wayfarer.IN PERILS (κινδυνοις). Locative case of κινδυνος, old word for danger or peril. In N.T. only this verse and Romans 8:35. The repetition here is very effective without the preposition... [ Continue Reading ]
IN LABOUR AND TRAVAIL (κοπω κα μοχθω). Both old words for severe work, combined here as in 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8, "by toil and moil" (Plummer). The rest of the list is like the items in 2 Corinthians 6:4.IN COLD (εν ψυχε). Old word from ψυχω, to cool by blowing. See Acts 28:2... [ Continue Reading ]
BESIDES THOSE THINGS THAT ARE WITHOUT (χωρις των παρεκτος). Probably, "apart from those things beside these just mentioned." Surely no man ever found glory in such a peck of troubles as Paul has here recounted. His list should shame us all today who are disposed to find fault with our lot.THAT WH... [ Continue Reading ]
I BURN (πυρουμα). Present passive indicative of πυροω, old verb to inflame (from πυρ, fire). When a brother stumbles, Paul is set on fire with grief.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THINGS THAT CONCERN MY WEAKNESS (τα της ασθενειας μου). Like the list above.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM NOT LYING (ου ψευδομα). The list seems so absurd and foolish that Paul takes solemn oath about it (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:23). For the doxology see Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOVERNOR UNDER ARETAS (ο εθναρχης Hαρετα). How it came to pass that Damascus, ruled by the Romans after B.C. 65, came at this time to be under the rule of Aretas, fourth of the name, King of the Nabatheans (II Macc. 5:8), we do not know. There is an absence of Roman coins in Damascus from A.D... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH A WINDOW (δια θυριδος). For this late word see on Acts 20:9, the only N.T. example.WAS I LET DOWN (εχαλασθην). First aorist passive of χαλαω, the very word used by Luke in Acts 9:25.IN A BASKET (εν σαργανη). Old word for rope basket whereas Luke (Acts 9:25) has εν σφυριδ (the word for... [ Continue Reading ]