THAT I WOULD NOT COME AGAIN TO YOU WITH SORROW (το μη παλιν εν λυπη προς υμας ελθειν). Articular second aorist active infinitive with negative μη in apposition with τουτο (this) preceding. What does Paul mean by "again" (παλιν)? Had he paid another visit besides that described in 2 Corinthians 2:1... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO THEN? (κα τισ?). For this use of κα see on Mark 10:26; John 9:36. The κα accepts the condition (first class ει--λυπω) and shows the paradox that follows. Λυπεω is old word from λυπη (sorrow) in causative sense, to make sorry.MAKETH GLAD (ευφραινων). Present active participle of old word fro... [ Continue Reading ]
I WROTE THIS VERY THING (εγραψα τουτο αυτο). Is this (and εγραψα in verses 2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 2:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12) the epistolary aorist referring to the present letter? In itself that is possible as the epistolary aorist does occur in the N.T. as in 2 Corinthians 8:18; 2 Corinth... [ Continue Reading ]
ANGUISH (συνοχης). Ablative case after εκ (out of). Old word from συνεχω, to hold together. So contraction of heart (Cicero, _contractio animi_), a spiritual _angina pectoris_. In N.T. only here and Luke 21:25.WITH MANY TEARS (δια πολλων δακρυων). He dictated that letter "through tears" (accomp... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY (ε τις). Scholars disagree whether Paul refers to 1 Corinthians 5:1, where he also employs τισ, τοιουτος, and Σατανας as here, or to the ringleader of the opposition to him. Either view is possible. In both cases Paul shows delicacy of feeling by not mentioning the name.BUT IN PART (αλλα... [ Continue Reading ]
PUNISHMENT (επιτιμια). Late word for old Greek to επιτιμιον (so papyri), from επιτιμαω, to show honour to, to award, to adjudge penalty. Only here in N.T.BY THE MANY (υπο των πλειονων). By the more, the majority. If Paul refers to the case in 2 Corinthians 2:1, they had taken his advice and exp... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THAT ON THE CONTRARY (ωστε τουναντιον). The natural result expressed by ωστε and the infinitive. Τουναντιον is by crasis for το εναντιον and accusative of general reference.RATHER (μαλλον). Absent in some MSS.LEST BY ANY MEANS (μη πως). Negative purpose.SWALLOWED UP (καταποθη). First aor... [ Continue Reading ]
TO CONFIRM (κυρωσα). First aorist active infinitive of old verb κυροω, to make valid, to ratify, from κυρος (head, authority). In N.T. only here and Galatians 3:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MIGHT KNOW THE PROOF OF YOU (ινα γνω την δοκιμην υμων). Ingressive second aorist active subjunctive, come to know. Δοκιμη is proof by testing. Late word from δοκιμος and is in Dioscorides, medical writer in reign of Hadrian. Earliest use in Paul and only in him in N.T. (2 Corinthians 2:9;... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST (εν προσωπω Χριστου). More exactly, "in the presence of Christ," before Christ, in the face of Christ. Cf. ενωπιον του θεου (2 Corinthians 4:2) in the eye of God, ενωπιον Κυριου (2 Corinthians 8:21).... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT NO ADVANTAGE MAY BE GAINED OVER US (ινα μη πλεονεκτηθωμεν). First aorist passive subjunctive after ινα μη (negative purpose) of πλεονεκτεω, old verb from πλεονεκτης, a covetous man (1 Corinthians 5:10), to take advantage of, to gain, to overreach. In N.T. only in 1 Thessalonians 4:6; 2 Corin... [ Continue Reading ]
TO TROAS (εις την Τρωιαδα). Luke does not mention this stop at Troas on the way from Ephesus to Macedonia (Acts 20:1), though he does mention two other visits there (Acts 16:8; Acts 20:6).WHEN A DOOR WAS OPENED UNTO ME (θυρας μο ανεωιγμενης). Genitive absolute with second perfect passive partic... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAD NO RELIEF (ουκ εσχηκα ανεσιν). Perfect active indicative like that in 2 Corinthians 1:9, vivid dramatic recital, not to be treated as "for" the aorist (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 896, 898ff.). He still feels the shadow of that restlessness. Ανεσις, from ανιημ, to let up, to hold back, is old... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THANKS BE UNTO GOD (τω δε θεω χαρις). Sudden outburst of gratitude in contrast to the previous dejection in Troas. Surely a new paragraph should begin here. In point of fact Paul makes a long digression from here to 2 Corinthians 6:10 on the subject of the Glory of the Christian Ministry as Ba... [ Continue Reading ]
A SWEET SAVOUR OF CHRIST (Χριστου ευωδια). Old word from ευ, well, and οζω, to smell. In N.T. only here and Philippians 4:18; Ephesians 5:2. In spreading the fragrance of Christ the preacher himself becomes fragrant (Plummer).IN THEM THAT ARE PERISHING (εν τοις απολλυμενοις). Even in these if t... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM DEATH UNTO DEATH (εκ θανατου εις θανατον). From one evil condition to another. Some people are actually hardened by preaching.AND WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS? (κα προς ταυτα τις ικανοσ?). Rhetorical question. In himself no one is. But some one has to preach Christ and Paul proceeds... [ Continue Reading ]
CORRUPTING (καπηλευοντες). Old word from καπηλος, a huckster or peddlar, common in all stages of Greek for huckstering or trading. It is curious how hucksters were suspected of corrupting by putting the best fruit on top of the basket. Note Paul's solemn view of his relation to God as a preacher... [ Continue Reading ]