2 Corinthians 13:1
THE THIRD TIME I AM COMING (τριτον ερχομα). Either the third that he had planned to come or that he had been twice. The warning is made by quoting Deuteronomy 19:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD TIME I AM COMING (τριτον ερχομα). Either the third that he had planned to come or that he had been twice. The warning is made by quoting Deuteronomy 19:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WHEN I WAS PRESENT THE SECOND TIME (ως παρων το δευτερον). This translation assumes the second visit as already made. It is a natural way to take the Greek ως παρων. But ως with παρων can also mean "as if present" the second time (Authorized Version). Probably "as when" is the more natural ren... [ Continue Reading ]
A PROOF OF CHRIST (δοκιμην του Χριστου). He will give it to them. "I will not spare." He will show that Christ speaks "in me" (εν εμο).... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE SHALL LIVE WITH HIM THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD (αλλα ζησομεν συν αυτω εκ δυναμεως θεου). So real is Paul's sense of his union with Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNLESS INDEED YE BE REPROBATE (ε μητ αδοκιμο εστε). Paul challenged his opposers in Corinth to try (πειραζετε) themselves, to test (δοκιμαζετε) themselves, whether they were "in the faith" (εν τη πιστε), a much more vital matter for them than trying to prove Paul a heretic. Such tests can be made... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE SHALL KNOW (οτ επιγνωσεσθε). Such a testing of themselves will give them full knowledge that Paul is notREPROBATE (αδοκιμος). The best way for vacillating Christians to stop it is to draw close to Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH WE BE AS REPROBATE (ημεις δε ως αδοκιμο ωμεν). Literally, "And that" (ινα δε). Paul wishes them to do no wrong (κακον μηδεν). He has no desire to exercise his apostolic authority and "appear approved" (δοκιμο φανωμεν, second aorist passive subjunctive of φαινω). He had far rather see them... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST THE TRUTH (κατα της αληθειας). He means in the long run. We can hinder and hold down the truth by evil deeds (Romans 1:18), but in the end the truth wins.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE REJOICE (χαιρομεν γαρ). Paul had far rather be weak in the sense of failing to exercise his apostolic power because they did the noble thing. He is no Jonah who lamented when Ninevah repented.YOUR PERFECTING (υμων καταρτισιν). Late word from καταρτιζω, to fit, to equip (see verb in verse... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY NOT WHEN PRESENT DEAL SHARPLY (ινα παρων αποτομως χρησωμα). Late adverb from αποτομος, curt, cut off. In N.T. only here and Titus 1:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH A HOLY KISS (εν αγιω φιληματ). In the Jewish synagogues where the sexes were separated, men kissed men, the women, women. This apparently was the Christian custom also. It is still observed in the Coptic and the Russian churches. It was dropped because of charges made against the Christians... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY GHOST, BE WITH YOU ALL (η χαρις του Κυριου Ιησου Χριστου κα η αγαπη του θεου κα η κοινωνια του αγιου πνευματος μετα παντων υμων). This benediction is the most complete of them all. It presents the persons of the... [ Continue Reading ]