(_B_) CHAPTER S 10-13. ST. PAUL'S DEFENCE OF HIS MINISTRY As explained in the Introduction, this section is regarded as part of the intermediate letter, referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:3 and 2 Corinthians 7:8, in which the Apostle rebuked his converts, and sought to bring them to repentance. It is,... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I PAUL] If this is not the beginning of the 'severe' letter, it is evidently the beginning of a new subject. Possibly one leaf of the MS containing this letter was lost at an early date; and this loss led to the remaining portion being attached in course of time to the longer Epistle consisting... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE FLESH] i.e. in a worldly spirit. His enemies declared that he was one who sought his own advantage and tried to gain popularity by whatever methods seemed best at the moment. When he was at a distance, he issued commands and declared his authority over the Church; but when he came t... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'We live in the flesh, and are subject to its weaknesses and temptations, like others; but we are not prompted by fleshly motives, such as dread of giving offence, or desire of popularity. (4) For we fight not in our own strength, but in the strength of God, and this reliance upon Him en... [ Continue Reading ]
CARNAL] RV 'of the flesh.' THROUGH GOD] RV 'before God.'... [ Continue Reading ]
IMAGINATIONS] the false reasonings of his enemies. EVERY HIGH THING] All the pride and self-satisfaction and self-delusion which made the Corinthians rebel against him. BRINGING INTO CAPTIVITY] The Apostle describes the Corinthians in a metaphor as rebels in possession of a castle (2 Corinthians 10:... [ Continue Reading ]
DISOBEDIENCE] There may be some contumacious to the bitter end.... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'You are too much influenced by appearances. My opponents say that I do not act as an Apostle of Christ, do they? Be sure that I am just as devoted a servant of Christ as any who assert their superiority. (8) Even if I boasted of my authority which Christ has given me, I should still be... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YE LOOK, etc.] RV 'Ye look at the things that are before your face.' AS HE _is_ CHRIST'S, EVEN SO _are_ WE] St. Paul claims that his relation to Christ is as close as that of any of his opponents: cp. 2 Corinthians 13:3; 2 Corinthians 13:4. For the Christ party see Intro. 1 (_b_). Some think that... [ Continue Reading ]
_His_ LETTERS]. They had at this date received at least two from St. Paul, (1) that mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9, and (2) our First Epistle. _His_ BODILY PRESENCE _is_ WEAK] i.e. his action is feeble when he is present. _His_ SPEECH CONTEMPTIBLE] RV 'of no account'; i.e. produced no effect. Possib... [ Continue Reading ]
WE DARE NOT] RV 'we are not bold': cp. 2 Corinthians 11:2. His confidence was not based on comparison with his opponents. NOT WISE] RV 'without understanding.' Such a method of self-commendation is useless and foolish.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT _our_ MEASURE] outside our province. He will only boast of work done by himself, and that included preaching the gospel in Corinth. THE MEASURE OF THE RULE, etc.] RV 'The measure of the province which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even unto you.' St. Paul's province was heathe... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'Others may boast without reason, but we will make no boast which cannot be justified by our work—a work which includes your conversion. (14) For in claiming you as our converts we are not making too great a boast. (15) And we are not taking credit for other men's labours as our opponent... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE COME] He was the first to preach Christ in Corinth.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT BOASTING, etc.] RV 'not glorying beyond _our_ measure, _that is,_ in other men's labours; but having hope that as your faith groweth, we shall be magnified in you according to our province unto _further_ abundance.' OF OTHER MEN'S LABOURS] The suggestion is that his opponents do so. WE SHALL BE... [ Continue Reading ]
THE _regions_ BEYOND YOU] These Chapter s were written in Ephesus; hence this would refer to Rome, and perhaps Spain. Rome was already in his mind (Acts 19:21), and soon after this date he wrote of going to Spain (Romans 15:24; Romans 15:28). NOT TO BOAST IN ANOTHER MAN'S LINE OF THINGS MADE READY]... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT HE THAT COMMENDETH HIMSELF] Contrast between himself and his accusers is implied. The true test is the success of the work, not the self-advertisement of the workers.... [ Continue Reading ]