I MUST NEEDS GLORY (καυχασθα δε). This is the reading of B L Latin Syriac, but Aleph D Bohairic have δε while K M read δη. The first is probably correct. He must go on with the glorying already begun, foolish as it is, though it is not expedient (ου συμφερον).VISIONS (οπτασιας). Late word from... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW A MAN (οιδα ανθρωπον). Paul singles out one incident of ecstasy in his own experience that he declines to describe. He alludes to it in this indirect way as if it were some other personality.FOURTEEN YEARS AGO (προ ετων δεκατεσσαρων). Idiomatic way of putting it, the preposition προ (befo... [ Continue Reading ]
I DO NOT KNOW (ουκ οιδα). Paul declines to pass on his precise condition in this trance. We had best leave it as he has told it.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO PARADISE (εις παραδεισον). See on Luke 23:43 for this interesting word. Paul apparently uses paradise as the equivalent of the third heaven in verse 2 Corinthians 12:2. Some Jews (_Book of the Secrets of Enoch_, chapter viii) make Paradise in the third heaven. The rabbis had various ideas (t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT ON MINE OWN BEHALF (υπερ δε εμαυτου). As if there were two Pauls. In a sense there were. He will only glory in the things mentioned above, the things of his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 11:30).... [ Continue Reading ]
I SHALL NOT BE FOOLISH (ουκ εσομα αφρων). Apparent contradiction to 2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:16. But he is here speaking of the Paul "caught up" in case he should tell the things heard (condition of the third class, εαν and first aorist subjunctive θελησω).OF ME (εις εμε). To my cre... [ Continue Reading ]
BY REASON OF THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS (τη υπερβολη). Instrumental case, "by the excess."THAT I SHOULD NOT BE EXALTED OVERMUCH (ινα μη υπεραιρωμα). Present passive subjunctive in final clause of υπεραιρω, old verb to lift up beyond, only here in N.T. This clause is repeated at the end of the sent... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNING THIS THING (υπερ τουτου). More likely, "concerning this messenger of Satan."THAT IT MIGHT DEPART FROM ME (ινα αποστη αφ' εμου). Second aorist active (intransitive) subjunctive of αφιστημ in final clause, "that he stand off from me for good.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE HATH SAID (ειρηκεν). Perfect active indicative, as if a final word. Paul probably still has the thorn in his flesh and needs this word of Christ.IS SUFFICIENT (αρκε). Old word of rich meaning, perhaps kin to Latin _arceo_, to ward off against danger. Christ's grace suffices and abides.IS PER... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE (διο ευδοκω). For this noble word see on Matthew 3:17; 2 Corinthians 5:8. The enemies of Paul will have a hard time now in making Paul unhappy by persecutions even unto death (Philippians 1:20-26). He is not courting martyrdom, but he does not fear it or anything that is... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM BECOME FOOLISH (γεγονα αφρων). Perfect active indicative of γινομα. In spite of what he said in verse 2 Corinthians 12:6 that he would not be foolish if he gloried in the other Paul. But he feels that he has dropped back to the mood of 2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:16. He has been swe... [ Continue Reading ]
OF AN APOSTLE (του αποστολου). "Of the apostle" (definite article). Note the three words here for miracles wrought by Paul (σημεια, signs, τερατα, wonders, δυναμεις, powers or miracles) as in Hebrews 2:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN YE WERE MADE INFERIOR (ο ησσωθητε). First aorist passive indicative of ησσοομα, the text of Aleph B D instead of the usual ηττηθητε from the common ητταομα to be inferior or less from the comparative ηττων. See ησσων in verse 2 Corinthians 12:15. Hο is the neuter accusative with the passi... [ Continue Reading ]
THIRD TIME I AM READY TO COME (τριτον τουτο ετοιμως εχω). Had he been already twice or only once? He had changed his plans once when he did not go (2 Corinthians 1:15). He will not change his plans now. This looks as if he had only been once (that in 2 Corinthians 12:18). Note the third use of κατ... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL MOST GLADLY SPEND AND BE SPENT (ηδιστα δαπανησω κα εκδαπανηθησομα). Both future active of old verb δαπαναω (Mark 5:26) to spend money, time, energy, strength and the future passive of εκδαπαναω, late compound to spend utterly, to spend out, (εκ-), to spend wholly. Only here in N.T.... [ Continue Reading ]
I DID NOT MYSELF BURDEN YOU (εγω ου κατεβαρησα υμας). First aorist active of late verb καταβαρεω, to press a burden down on one. Only here in N.T.CRAFTY (πανουργος). Old word from παν, all, and εργο, to do anything (good or bad). Good sense is skilful, bad sense cunning. Only here in N.T. and P... [ Continue Reading ]
DID I TAKE ADVANTAGE (επλεονεκτησα). Paul goes right to the point without hedging. For this verb from πλεον and εχω, to have more, see on 2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 7:2.BY ANY ONE OF THEM (τινα--δι' αυτου). An anacoluthon for τινα is left in the accusative without a verb and δι' αυτου ta... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BROTHER (τον αδελφον). Probably the brother of Titus (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:18).DID TITUS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU? (μητ επλεονεκτησεν υμας Τιτοσ?). That puts the issue squarely.BY THE SAME SPIRIT (τω αυτω πνευματ). That translation refers to the Holy Spirit and makes the case instrumental. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
YE THINK ALL THIS TIME (παλα δοκειτε). Progressive present indicative, "for a long time ye have been thinking."WE ARE EXCUSING OURSELVES (απολογουμεθα). He is not just apologizing, but is in deadly earnest, as they will find out when he comes.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I COME, I SHOULD FIND YOU NOT SUCH AS I WOULD (μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας). An idiomatic construction after the verb of fearing (φοβουμα) with μη πως as the conjunction and with ουχ as the negative of the verb ευρω (second aorist active subjunctive of ευρισκω),... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I COME AGAIN (παλιν ελθοντος μου). Genitive absolute. Paul assumes it as true.LEST MY GOD HUMBLE ME (μη ταπεινωση με ο θεος μου). Negative final clause (μη and first aorist active subjunctive), going back to φοβουμα in 2 Corinthians 12:20. He means a public humiliation as his fear. The con... [ Continue Reading ]