As we have received mercy. Construe with we have this ministry. Having this ministry as a gift of divine mercy. Compare 1 Corinthians 7:25. Bengel says : "The mercy of God, by which the ministry is received, makes us earnest and sincere.... [ Continue Reading ]
Dishonesty [τ η ς α ι σ χ υ ν η ς]. Rev., more correctly, shame. Compare Ephesians 5:12. Craftiness [π α ν ο υ ρ γ ι α]. See on Luke 20:23. Handling deceitfully [δ ο λ ο υ ν τ ε ς]. Only here in the New Testament. Primarily, to ensnare; then to corrupt. Used of adulterating gold, wine, etc. See on... [ Continue Reading ]
Hid [κ ε κ α λ υ μ μ ε ν ο ν]. Rev., veiled, in accordance with the imagery of ch. 3.... [ Continue Reading ]
The God of this world [ο θ ε ο ς τ ο υ α ι ω ν ο ς τ ο υ τ ο υ]. The phrase occurs only here. Compare Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12; John 12:31; John 14:30. Satan is called God in the rabbinical writings. "The first God is the true God; but the second God is Samuel." " The matron said, 'Our God is... [ Continue Reading ]
Who commanded the light to shine [ο ε ι π ω ν φ ω ς λ α μ ψ α ι]. The correct reading is lamyei shall shine; so that we should render, it is God that said light shall shine. So Rev. To give the light of the knowledge [π ρ ο ς φ ω τ ι σ μ ο ν τ η ς γ ν ω σ ε ω ς]. Lit., for the illumination, as ver.... [ Continue Reading ]
This treasure. The divine light which is the guide and inspiration of the apostolic ministry. In earthen vessels [ε ν ο σ τ ρ α κ ι ν ο ι ς σ κ ε υ ε σ ι ν]. The adjective occurs only here and 2 Timothy 2:10. Herodotus says of the king of Persia : "The great king stores away the tribute which he rec... [ Continue Reading ]
Troubled [θ λ ι β ο μ ε ν ο ι]. See on tribulation, Matthew 13:21. The verb also has the meaning of to straiten, contract, as Matthew 7:14, where teqlimmenh, A. V. narrow, is properly rendered by Rev. straitened. Distressed [σ τ ε ν ο χ ω ρ ο υ μ ε ν ο ι]. Only here and ch. 6 12. From stenov narrow,... [ Continue Reading ]
Persecuted - forsaken [δ ι ω κ ο μ ε ν ο ι - ε γ κ α τ α λ ε ι π ο μ ε ν ο ι]. Rev., for persecuted, pursued, the primary meaning of the verb, thus giving vividness to the figure. Forsaken, lit., left behind in (some evil plight). The figure is, pursued by enemies, but not left to their power : left... [ Continue Reading ]
Bearing about. Ignatius, addressing the Ephesians, says : "Ye are God - bearers, shrine - bearers, Christ - bearers" (" Epistle to Ephesians, "9.). In the Antiochene Acts, Trajan alludes to Ignatius as" the one who declares that he bears about the crucified. " Ignatius was known as Qeoforov God bear... [ Continue Reading ]
The same spirit of faith. The same, namely, which is set forth in the following passage. Spirit of faith : not distinctly the Holy Spirit, nor, on the other hand, a human faculty or disposition, but blending both; faith as a gift of the Spirit of God. See on Spirit, Romans 8:4, sec. 5. I believed, e... [ Continue Reading ]
The abundant grace [η χ α ρ ι ς π λ ε ο ν α σ α σ α]. Lit., the grace having abounded. Rev., the grace being multiplied. Grace is the divine gift of spiritual energy which is shown in the labor, suffering, and triumph of the apostles. Might through the thanksgiving of many redound [δ ι α τ ω ν π λ ε... [ Continue Reading ]
Outward man - inward man. The material and spiritual natures. Perish [δ ι α φ θ ε ι ρ ε τ α ι]. Rev., much better, is decaying. Perish implies destruction : the idea is that of progressive decay. Is renewed [α ν α κ α ι ν ο υ τ α ι]. Better, is being renewed, the process of renewal going on along... [ Continue Reading ]
Our light affliction which is but for a moment [τ ο π α ρ α υ τ ι κ α ε λ α φ ρ ο ν τ η ς θ λ ι ψ ε ω ς η μ ω ν]. Lit., the present light (burden) of our affliction. Worketh [κ α τ ε ρ γ α ζ ε τ α ι]. Works out : achieves. A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [κ α θ υ π ε ρ ε β ο λ η ν... [ Continue Reading ]
Seen - not seen. Compare the beautiful passage in Plato's "Phaedo," 79.... [ Continue Reading ]