IF--BE DISSOLVED (εαν--καταλυθη). Third class condition, εαν and first aorist passive subjunctive. The very word used (καταλυω) for striking down a tent.THE EARTHLY HOUSE OF OUR TABERNACLE (η επιγειος ημων οικια του σκηνους). Rather, "If our earthly (see on 1 Corinthians 15:40 for επιγειος) hou... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BE CLOTHED UPON WITH OUR HABITATION WHICH IS FROM HEAVEN (το οικητηριον ημων το εξ ουρανου επενδυσασθα). First aorist middle infinitive of late verb επενδυω, double compound (επ, εν) to put upon oneself. Cf. επενδυτης for a fisherman's linen blouse or upper garment (John 21:7). Οικητηριον is o... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING CLOTHED (ενδυσαμενο). First aorist middle participle, having put on the garment.NAKED (γυμνο). That is, disembodied spirits, "like the souls in Sheol, without form, and void of all power of activity" (Plummer).... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT FOR THAT WE WOULD BE UNCLOTHED (εφ' ω ου θελομεν εκδυσασθα). Rather, "For that (εφ' ω) we do not wish to put off the clothing, but to put it on" (αλλ' επενδυσασθα). The transposition of the negative ου weakens the sense. Paul does not wish to be a mere disembodied spirit without his spiritual... [ Continue Reading ]
AT HOME IN THE BODY (ενδημουντες εν τω σωματ). Rare verb ενδημεω from ενδημος (one among his own people as opposed to εκδημος, one away from home). Both εκδημεω (more common in the old Greek) and ενδημεω occur in the papyri with the contrast made by Paul here.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY SIGHT (δια ειδους). Rather, by appearance.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE OF GOOD COURAGE (θαρρουμεν). Good word for cheer and same root as θαρσεω (Matthew 9:2; Matthew 9:22). Cheer up.ARE WILLING RATHER (ευδοκουμεν). Rather, "We are well-pleased, we prefer" if left to ourselves. Cf. Philippians 1:21. Same ευδοκεω used in Luke 3:22.TO BE AT HOME WITH THE LORD... [ Continue Reading ]
WE MAKE IT OUR AIM (φιλοτιμουμεθα). Old and common verb, present middle, from φιλοτιμος (φιλοσ, τιμη, fond of honour), to act from love of honour, to be ambitious in the good sense (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 15:20). The Latin _ambitio_ has a bad sense from _ambire_, to go bo... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF CHRIST (εμπροσθεν του βηματος του Χριστου). Old word βημα, a step (from βαινω), a platform, the seat of the judge (Matthew 27:19). Christ is Saviour, Lord, and Judge of us all (τους παντας, the all).THAT EACH MAY RECEIVE (ινα κομισητα εκαστος). Receive as his due, κο... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE LORD (τον φοβον του Κυριου). Many today regard this a played-out motive, but not so Paul. He has in mind verse 2 Corinthians 5:10 with the picture of the judgment seat of Christ.WE PERSUADE (πειθομεν). Conative present active, we try to persuade. It is always hard work.UNTO GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
AS GIVING YOU OCCASION OF GLORYING (αφορμην διδοντες υμιν καυχηματος). An old Greek word (απο, ορμη, onset, rush), a base of operations, material with which to glory, as we say "a tip" only much more.THAT YE MAY HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER (ινα εχητε προς). Literally, "That ye may have something a... [ Continue Reading ]
WHETHER WE ARE BESIDE OURSELVES (ειτε εξεστημεν). Second aorist active indicative of εξιστημ, old verb, here to stand out of oneself (intransitive) from εκστασις, ecstasy, comes as in Mark 5:42. It is literary plural, for Paul is referring only to himself. See on 2 Corinthians 1:6 for ειτε--ειτε.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LOVE OF CHRIST (η αγαπη του Χριστου). Subjective genitive, Christ's love for Paul as shown by verse 2 Corinthians 5:15.CONSTRAINETH US (συνεχε ημας). Old and common verb, to hold together, to press the ears together (Acts 7:57), to press on every side (Luke 8:45), to hold fast (Luke 22:63),... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD NO LONGER LIVE UNTO THEMSELVES (ινα μηκετ εαυτοις ζωσιν). The high doctrine of Christ's atoning death carries a correspondingly high obligation on the part of those who live because of him. Selfishness is ruled out by our duty to live "unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.... [ Continue Reading ]
HENCEFORTH (απο του νυν). From the time that we gained this view of Christ's death for us.AFTER THE FLESH (κατα σαρκα). According to the flesh, the fleshy way of looking at men. He, of course, knows men "in the flesh (εν τη σαρκ), but Paul is not speaking of that. Worldly standards and distinct... [ Continue Reading ]
A NEW CREATURE (καινη κτισις). A fresh start is made (καινη). Κτισις is the old word for the act of creating (Romans 1:20), but in N.T. by metonymy it usually bears the notion of κτισμα, the thing created or creature as here.THE OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY (τα αρχαια παρηλθεν). Did pass by, he m... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST (του καταλλαξαντος ημας εαυτω δια Χριστου). Here Paul uses one of his great doctrinal words, καταλλασσω, old word for exchanging coins. Διαλλασσω, to change one's mind, to reconcile, occurs in N.T. only in Matthew 5:24 though in papyri (Deissmann, _Light... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WIT, THAT (ως οτ). Latin puts it _quoniam quidem_. It is an unclassical idiom, but occurs in the papyri and inscriptions (Moulton, _Prol_., p. 212; Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1033). It is in Esther 4:14. See also 2 Corinthians 11:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:2. It probably means "how that."NOT RECKONIN... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE AMBASSADORS THEREFORE ON BEHALF OF CHRIST (υπερ Χριστου ουν πρεσβευομεν). Old word from πρεσβυς, an old man, first to be an old man, then to be an ambassador (here and Ephesians 6:20 with εν αλυση in a chain added), common in both senses in the Greek. "The proper term in the Greek East for... [ Continue Reading ]
HIM WHO KNEW NO SIN (τον μη γνοντα αμαρτιαν). Definite claim by Paul that Jesus did not commit sin, had no personal acquaintance (μη γνοντα, second aorist active participle of γινωσκω) with it. Jesus made this claim for himself (John 8:46). This statement occurs also in 1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15... [ Continue Reading ]