WORKING TOGETHER WITH HIM (συνεργουντες). We are co-workers, partners with God (1 Corinthians 3:9), in this work of grace.IN VAIN (εις κενον). Into emptiness. The plan of God, the work of Christ on the Cross, the pleas of the ambassador may all be nullified by the recipient of the message.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTABLE TIME (ιδου νυν καιρος ευπροσδεκτος). Here is another "Pauline parenthesis" (Plummer) as in 2 Corinthians 5:7 by the quotation from Isaiah 49:8. The LXX has δεκτος (δεκτο) verbal of δεχομα, but Paul employs the double compound (ευ, προσ, δεκτος), well-received. It occ... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVING NO OCCASION OF STUMBLING IN ANY THING (μηδεμιαν εν μηδεν διδοντες προσκοπην). Προσκοπη, late word (Polybius, LXX), from προσκοπτω, to strike against, to stumble. Only here in N.T. Note double negative in the Greek.THAT THE MINISTRY BE NOT BLAMED (ινα μη μωμηθη η διακονια). Negative purpo... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IN EVERYTHING COMMENDING OURSELVES (αλλ' εν παντ συνιστανοντες εαυτους). Paul gives a marvellous summary of his argument about the dignity and glory of ministers of Christ asMINISTERS OF GOD (ως θεου διακονο) under three aspects, the first withIN (εν) verses 2 Corinthians 6:3-7, the secon... [ Continue Reading ]
IN STRIPES (εν πληγαις). In blows, wounds (Luke 10:30; Luke 12:48; Acts 16:23; Acts 16:33). Our plague.IN TUMULTS (εν ακαταστασιαις). See on 1 Corinthians 14:33). Instabilities, often from politics.IN WATCHINGS (εν αγρυπνιαις). In sleeplessnesses, instances of insomnia. Old word, in N.T. only... [ Continue Reading ]
IN LOVE UNFEIGNED (εν αγαπη ανυποκριτω). Late and rare word (α privative and υποκριτος, from υποκρινομα) This is the only love that is worth while (Romans 12:9).... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT (των δεξιων κα αριστερων). Offensive weapons (οπλων) on the right, defensive on the left. See 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Ephesians 6:11 for Paul's description of the panoply of God and Romans 6:13 for the phrase "weapons of righteousness," the only kind that will stand... [ Continue Reading ]
BY GLORY AND DISHONOUR (δια δοξης κα ατιμιας). Here δια is no longer instrument, but state or condition. Δοξα here is glory. See Romans 9:21; 2 Timothy 2:20 for contrast between honour and dishonour (τιμη, ατιμια).BY EVIL REPORT AND GOOD REPORT (δια δυσφημιας κα ευφημιας). Play on the words wit... [ Continue Reading ]
AS UNKNOWN AND YET WELL KNOWN (ως αγνοουμενο κα επιγινοσκομενο). "As ignored (as nonentities, obscure, without proper credentials 2 Corinthians 3:2) and yet fully recognized (by all who really matter as in 2 Corinthians 11:6)."AND BEHOLD, WE LIVE (κα ιδου ζωμεν). Cf. the hazards of his life (2... [ Continue Reading ]
ALWAYS REJOICING (αε χαιροντες). Even in sorrow (2 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Romans 5:3-5; Romans 9:2; Philippians 2:18; Philippians 2:27; Philippians 3:1; Philippians 4:4;... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR MOUTH IS OPEN UNTO YOU (το στομα ημων ανεωιγεν προς υμας). Second perfect active indicative of ανοιγω and intransitive, stand open. He has kept back nothing in his portrayal of the glory of the ministry as the picture of the open mouth shows.OUR HEART IS ENLARGED (η καρδια ημων πεπλατυντα).... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE NOT STRAITENED IN US (ου στενοχωρεισθε εν ημιν). The same figure as in verse 2 Corinthians 6:11. See on 2 Corinthians 4:8 for στενοχωρεω. There is no restraint in me (my heart). My adversaries may have caused some of you to tighten up your affections (σπλαγχνα for affection as in James 5:1... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW FOR A RECOMPENSE IN LIKE KIND (την δε αυτην αντιμισθιαν). No example of this expressive word outside of this passage and Romans 1:27 and later Christian writers. Paul may have found it in use in the _Koine_ vernacular or he may have coined it from αντιμισθος, remunerating (paying back). There... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH UNBELIEVERS (μη γινεσθε ετεροζυγουντες απιστοις). No other example of this verb has yet been found, though the adjective from which it is apparently formed, ετεροζυγος (yoked with a different yoke) occurs in Leviticus 19:19 of the union of beasts of different kinds. In... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCORD (συμφωνησις). Symphony. Late word from συμφωνεω, only here and ecclesiastical writers, though συμφωνημα in the papyri.BELIAL (Βελιαλ). Transliteration of Hebrew word for worthlessness and applied to Satan (_Book of Jubilees_ 1.20) as here. Paul graphically sums up the contrast between C... [ Continue Reading ]
AGREEMENT (συνκαταθεσις). Fifth of these words. Late word, but common, though here only in N.T. Approved by putting together the votes. In the papyri εκ συνκαταθεσεως means "by agreement." On the temple of God and idols see 1 Corinthians 10:14-22. See Luke 23:51 for the verb συνκατατιθημ.FOR WE A... [ Continue Reading ]
SAITH THE LORD (λεγε Κυριος). Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 20:33. Cf. Revelation 18:4.UNCLEAN THING (ακαθαρτου). Or unclean person. Genitive case is the same for both.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY (λεγε Κυριος παντοκρατωρ). 2 Samuel 7:8. This use of εις is a Hebraism for Hebrew _le_ instead of predicate nominative. Παντοκρατωρ (πασ, κρατεω, Ruler of all) is common in the LXX. Occurs also in the inscriptions and papyri. In the N.T. only here and in Revelation.... [ Continue Reading ]