Christian
Churches of God
No. F047
Commentary on 2Corinthians:
Introduction and Part 1
(Edition 1.0 20210211-20210211)
Commentary on Chapters 1-4.
Christian
Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright © 2021 Wade Cox)
This paper may be freely copied and distributed provided it
is copied in total with no alterations or deletions. The publisher’s name and
address and the copyright notice must be included. No charge may be levied on recipients of
distributed copies. Brief quotations may
be embodied in critical articles and reviews without breaching copyright.
This paper is available from the World Wide Web page:
http://www.logon.org and http://www.ccg.org
Commentary on 2Corinthians
Introduction
In understanding the Corinthian Church and Paul’s relations with the
church, it is necessary to revisit the Introduction to the Commentary on
1Corinthians.
Also in that Introduction we see that the text refers to the letter in
2Corithians as follows.
“Re:
The ‘previous’ letter. Paul said, ‘I wrote you a letter. In that letter, I told you to
have nothing to do with men with bad character’ (1Corinthians 5:9). This letter
is considered to have been either lost or a fragment of it may now be found in
2Corinthians 6:14–7:1 (cf. Oxford RSV fn).
Paul
mentions a second ‘painful’ visit. Paul heard that problems in Corinth were
worse. So he made a second visit. There is no record of this visit. But Paul
writes about when he visited Corinth for the ‘third’ time (2Corinthians 12:14;
13:1-2). So there must have been a second visit.
Re:
the ‘severe’ letter. Paul’s visit was not successful. So he wrote a letter when
he was feeling very hurt (2Corinthians 2:4). He was almost sorry that he had
sent it. Some writers believe that chapters 10-13 in 2Corinthians are comprised
from the ‘severe’ letter.
The
letter shows that the Christians at Corinth and Paul were friends again. Paul
was so worried about his ‘severe’ letter that he went to meet Titus. Titus had
taken the severe letter to Corinth. Paul met Titus in Macedonia and learned
that all was well. So, he wrote chapters 1-9 in 2Corinthians. It is considered
possible by some academics that someone put the severe letter and the next
letter together in the wrong order.
The
letter deals with problems in Christian conduct in the church. It concerns
progressive sanctification and the continuing development of a holy
character. The purpose of the Chapters is examined
below. This letter is considered to be timely for the church today. Christians
were influenced by their cultural environment. Much of the pagan doctrines that
were extant then pressing on the church found their way into and became causes
of division in the church and are extent even today. By the Fourth Century
the priests of Attis in Rome were complaining that the Christians had stolen
all their doctrines, which was indeed true (cf. re Attis, Frazer, The
Golden Bough Pt. IV, vols I and II).
These
problems like immaturity, instability, divisions, jealousy and envy, lawsuits,
marital difficulties, sexual immorality and misuse of spiritual gifts still
exist.”
Another
question that needs to be examined is how many times did Paul visit Corinth and
what letters were written?
All of
these raise questions in their own right and we will try and tease this
information out of the texts. We know
that there must have been at least three letters written and it in
inconceivable that any could have been lost.
From
the text it appears according to most scholars that 2Corinthians appears in two
sections. The first being from chapter
1-9 and the second being from chapters 10 to 13.
We will look at the texts below to extrapolate further.
Book Overview - 2 Corinthians
by E.W.
Bullinger
THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE EPISTLE AS A WHOLE.
2 Corinthians 1:1-2. INTRODUCTION.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11. THANKSGIVING.
2 Corinthians 1:12. CHARACTER OF PAUL"S MINISTRY.
2 Corinthians 1:13-14. THE PRESENT EPISTLE.
2 Corinthians 1:15-16. PROPOSED VISIT.
2 Corinthians 1:17-24; 2 Corinthians 2:1-2. VINDICATION OF HIS ACTION.
2 Corinthians 2:3-11. FORMER EPISTLE. OBJECT.
2 Corinthians 2:12-13. NO REST IN SPIRIT.
2 Corinthians 2:13. MACEDONIA. JOURNEY.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17. THANKSGIVING.
2 Corinthians 3:1 - 2 Corinthians 7:4. CHARACTER OF PAUL"S MINISTRY.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7. NO REST IN FLESH.
2 Corinthians 7:8-16. FORMER EPISTLE. EFFECT.
2 Corinthians 8:19; 2 Corinthians 8:15. MACEDONIA. ASSEMBLIES.
2 Corinthians 10:1 - 2 Corinthians 12:13. VINDICATION OF HIS ACTION.
2 Corinthians 12:14 - 2 Corinthians 13:1. PURPOSED VISIT.
2 Corinthians 13:2-10. THE PRESENT EPISTLE.
2 Corinthians 13:11-14. CONCLUSION.
THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTORY NOTES.
1. From various passages we
learn that the apostle Paul wrote this Epistle under much pressure of spirit.
The personal part of his first letter to the Corinthians had its effect upon the
obedient members of the church (see ch. 2 and 7), and he wrote a second time to
comfort such, as well as to warn a disobedient element (2 Corinthians 13:2, 2 Corinthians 13:10). It is plain that certain [false
teachers] altogether denied his authority, and in ch. 10:13 he once more
powerfully vindicates his apostleship, especially in connection with false
teachers, against whom he earnestly warned Corinthians. The specific claim of
authority as proceeding from his Lord and Master alone occupies a large part of
this Epistle. Hence, also, the admonition that if he came he enforce that
authority. There is much to indicate Paul’s anxiety for all the churches, while
in the doctrinal portions occur some unsurpassed presentations of the Divine
love in Christ.
2. Not only was this church burdened with internal trouble (ch. 1), but they
had trials also from without (2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:15), just as the Lord Himself had foretold
in Matthew 24:9 Matthew 24:12. In consolation, Paul held out before them (2 Corinthians 4:14) the same hope of resurrection as he
proclaimed in his first letter.
3. Timothy had been sent to Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17) and had no doubt returned bearing news of
the unhappy condition of the church. Titus delivered the first letter and,
there being some delay in his return, Paul passed from Troas to Macedonia,
where, later Titus brought from Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:7, 2 Corinthians 7:16) such reports as only partially assured the
apostle, and led him to send the Second Epistle by the same fellow worker.
4. Various
explanations have been proposed with regard to the conditions under which the
Epistle was written. Some think that, prior to its transmission, the apostle
had sent by the hand of Timothy a severe letter which has been lost. Another
suggestion is that Paul, hearing of the confusion in the church, made a hasty
visit to Corinth from Ephesus, and finding that he availed nothing but rather
was set at naught, withdrew to another part of Achaia or to Macedonia, where he
penned the Second Epistle. Still other views on a similar line are put forward,
but all that can be said is that they are suppositions of which there is no
hint in the Epistle. Connecting 1Corinthians 4:19; 2Corinthians 1:23; 2Corinthians 13:2, the apostle had not been back on account of
the disorders in the church, whatever may be meant by "the third
time" in 13:1. in 2Corinthians 1:15-16 he is minded to come to them as a
second benefit, and passing to Macedonia, to return to them, which would have
been a third time.
5. Written from
Macedonia not long after Paul"s leaving Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8), it would not be many months after the
dispatch of the First Epistle. This was probably in A. D. 57 (winter) or spring
of 58. See Appdx-180.
*************
Second
Epistle to the Corinthians - Wikipedia
The Second
Epistle to the Corinthians, commonly referred to as Second
Corinthians or in writing 2 Corinthians, is a Pauline epistle of the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle and a co-author named Timothy, and is addressed to the church in Corinth and Christians in the surrounding province
of Achaea, in modern-day Greece.[2Cor.1:1]
Composition
While there is little doubt among scholars that Paul is the
author, there is discussion over whether the Epistle was originally one letter
or composed from two or more of Paul's letters.[1]:8
Although the New Testament contains only two letters to the
Corinthian church, the evidence from the letters themselves is that he wrote at
least four and the church replied at least once:
1 Corinthians 5:9 ("I wrote unto you in an epistle
not to company with fornicators", KJV) refers to an early
letter, sometimes called the "warning letter"[2] or
the "previous letter."
The Severe Letter:
Paul refers to an earlier "letter of tears"
in 2 Corinthians 2:3–4 and 7:8. 1 Corinthians does
not match that description, so this "letter of tears" may have been
written between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians
7:1 states that in that letter Paul was replying to certain
questions regarding which the church had written to him.
The abrupt change of tone from being previously harmonious
to bitterly reproachful in 2 Corinthians 10–13 has led many to infer that
chapters 10–13 form part of the "letter of tears" which were in some way
appended to Paul's main letter.[3] Those
who disagree with this assessment usually say that the "letter of
tears" is no longer extant.[4] Others
argue that although the letter of tears is no longer extant, chapters 10–13
come from a later letter.[5]
The seemingly sudden change of subject from chapter 7 to
chapters 8–9 leads some scholars to conclude that chapters 8–9 were originally
a separate letter, and some even consider the two chapters to have originally
been distinct themselves. Other scholars dispute this claim, however.[6]
Some scholars also find fragments of the "warning
letter", or of other letters, in chapters 1–9,[7] for
instance that part of the "warning letter" is preserved in 2 Cor
6:14–7:1,[8] but
these hypotheses are less popular.[9]
Background
Paul's contacts with the Corinthian church can be
reconstructed as follows:[4]
Content
In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he again refers
to himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and reassures the people
of Corinth that they will not have another
painful visit, but what he has to say is not to cause pain but to reassure them
of the love he has for them. It is shorter in length in comparison to the first
and a little confusing if the reader is unaware of the social, religious, and
economic situation of the community. Paul felt the situation in Corinth was
still complicated and felt attacked.
Some challenged his authority as an apostle,
and he compares the level of difficulty to other cities he has visited who had
embraced it, like the Galatians. He is criticized for the way he
speaks and writes and finds it just to defend himself with some of his
important teachings. He states the importance of forgiving others, and God’s
new agreement that comes from the Spirit of the living God (2 Cor. 3:3), and
the importance of being a person of Christ and giving generously to God’s
people in Jerusalem, and ends with his own experience of how God changed
his life (Sandmel, 1979).
Uniqueness
According to Easton's Bible Dictionary,
This epistle, it has been well said, shows the individuality
of the apostle more than any other. "Human weakness, spiritual strength,
the deepest tenderness of affection, wounded feeling, sternness, irony, rebuke,
impassioned self-vindication, humility, a just self-respect, zeal for the
welfare of the weak and suffering, as well as for the progress of the church of
Christ and for the spiritual advancement of its members, are all displayed in
turn in the course of his appeal." —Lias, Second Corinthians.[10]
************
Intent of the Chapters.
Chapter 1
Here we see that
Corinth is the centre and meeting place for the whole of the saints that are at
Acha’ia (v. 1).
The message conveys
the peace of God the Father (vv. 2-3). He is described as the Father of Mercies
and God of all Comfort. Thus he ascribes the Father as the source of mercy and
comfort to the brethren; So that they may comfort those that also need comfort
(v. 4). As we share in Christ’s sufferings so we share abundantly in comfort
also. Thus we share and assist in all things with Christ in the body of the
Church of God. As they are persecuted and afflicted and endure so are they then
comforted (vv. 5-6). Paul states that their hope for the church is unshaken for
as they share in their suffering so they also share in their comfort (v.
7). Paul says he does not want them to
be ignorant of the affliction they experienced in Asia. He says they were so
utterly, unbearably crushed, that they despaired of life itself (v 8). They
thought that they had received the sentence of death but that was taken as
making them rely on God rather than on themselves (v. 9). He delivered them
from their deadly peril and they have set their hopes that God will deliver
them again (v. 10). What the exact
nature of this peril was we do not know with certainty. This text was assumed to be written from
Macedonia (Acts 20), either at Philippi or Thessalonika. Acts 20:2-3 indicates
he spent three months in Greece. His third visit to Corinth is assumed to have
been made in this time and, in his letter to Rome, written from there, he sends
greetings from prominent members at the church in Corinth.
From verse 11, he
requests them to give thanks in prayer so that there are many giving thanks for
the help they requested in prayer. From verse 12 Paul says that their boast is
this: that they behaved in the world, and towards them, with holiness and godly
sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God. For they wrote the
church nothing but what they could read and understand and he hopes they
understand fully (v. 13). As they have understood in part: So that they can be
proud of each other on the Day of the Lord (v. 14) (cf. The Day of the
Lord and the Last Days (No. 192)).
From verse 15 he
then gives a major clue regarding his visits. He indicates that he would make
two visits. One visit on his way to Macedonia; and the next visit, on his way back
from Macedonia, and then they could send him on his way to Judaea. This undoubtedly was with the collection he
mentioned in the previous letter (1Cor. 16:3-4). He seems to want to correct
any appearance of vacillation, as he says from verse 17, “was I vacillating
when I wanted to do this?” He then asks
if he made his plans like a worldly man, ready to say yes and no at once. But
in Christ, the son of God, it is always yes.
For all the promises of God find their yes in him. That is why we offer
the Amen through him to the Glory of God. He says that it is God who
established them with the church and has commissioned them and put His Seal
upon them and given them His Spirit in their hearts as a guarantee. Here he identifies them as the three, as
Paul, Silvanus and Timothy (vv. 17-22).
He then concludes the chapter saying:
But I call God to witness against me – it was to spare you that I
refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, as we
work with you for your joy, for you. Stand firm in your faith (vv. 23-24).
It is unclear
whether the refraining from going to Corinth mentioned was the visit on the way
to Macedonia, or on the way back, or refers to another planned visit not
mentioned.
Chapter 2
In verse 1 Paul
says that he made up his mind not to make them another painful visit. For if he causes them pain, who is there to
make him glad but the ones that he has cased pain (v. 2). He says he wrote as
he did so that when he came he should not suffer pain from those who should have
made him rejoice. He says he felt sure of all of them that his joy should have
been the joy of them all (v. 3). He wrote to them out of much affliction,
anguish of heart and many tears, not to cause them pain but to make them aware
of the love Paul had for them (v. 4). Many scholars identify this letter with
chapters 10-13 below but there is no certainty as to this matter. Remember
Corinth was riddled with factions and many had come from immorality and temple
prostitution hence the use of veils referred to by Paul in the First Epistle.
They had to expel the Corinthian fornicator of 1Cor. 5:5 and this no doubt
caused conflict until he repented and sought readmission. It was because of
this that the members came to understand the power of Repentance
and Baptism (No. 052). This aspect is not properly understood by the modern
Churches of God.
From verse 5ff.
Paul makes the point that if any of them cause pain, it is not to one but to
them all and punishment by the majority is enough and the church should then
turn to forgive and comfort the person lest they be overcome by excessive
sorrow. He then begs they forgive and reaffirm their love for the offender (v.
8). The church thus has the power to forgive and retain sin and Paul affirms
that capacity (v. 10). All that is for the benefit of the elect, in the
presence of Christ, to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over them; as they
are not ignorant of his ways (v. 11).
From verse 12 he
speaks of his coming to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door was
opened to him there. He seems unsettled because he could not find Titus there
and so he then went on to Macedonia.
This indicates that he decision to not visit Corinth was on the way to
Macedonia.
From verse 14 he
says that God always leads us in triumph and through us spreads the knowledge
of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those being
saved and among those perishing (v. 15). He says that we are fragrance from death to
death and to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for
these things? (v.16). He then says that
the elect are not like so many peddlers of God’s word; but as men of sincerity,
as commissioned by God, in the sight of God they speak in Christ (v. 17).
Chapter 3
Paul asks then are
they (the three) beginning to commend themselves again, or do they need, as
some do, letters of recommendation from or to Corinth. In verse 2 he then says
that the church themselves are their letters of recommendation written on their
hearts there in the church, to be known and read by all people. In verse 3 Paul
says that they should know that they are a letter of Christ delivered by them,
written not with ink but with the Spirit (117) of the
Living God; not written on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. In
this way he explains the function of the Holy Spirit writing the Laws of God (L1)
in the hearts of men. In this way he goes on in verses 4-6 to explain that such
is the confidence they have through Christ towards God. Not that they were
confident in themselves to claim anything as coming from them, but their
confidence is from God who has made them all confident to be ministers of a new
covenant, not in a written code, but in the Spirit; for the written code kills
but the Spirit gives life. The Spirit empowers the elect and binds them to God
through Christ.
From verse 7ff.
Paul refers to the dispensation of death that came from the Law through Moses. Remember that Paul says in 1Cor. 10:1-4 that
it was Christ that was with Israel in the wilderness and it was he that gave
the Law of God to Moses. Acts 7:33-55 shows that Christ was the Angel of the
presence through whom God gave the law to Moses. Yet Paul makes the distinction
here that the law carved in stone could not give life, even though Moses’ face
shone from his exposure to Christ in the giving of the Law and that it was only
by the Spirit could mankind attain a greater splendour and obtain eternal life.
If there was splendour in the dispensation of condemnation, the dispensation in
righteousness must far exceed it in splendour (vv. 7- 9).
Paul says that:
Indeed, in this case what once had splendour has come to have no splendour at
all for the splendour that surpasses it. For if what came with splendour has
come to have no splendour at all, what is permanent must have much more
splendour (vv. 10-11).
In verse 12 Paul
then develops this structure on into the power of the Holy Spirit surpassing
the Law of God as exercised under the ceremonial law into a more powerful
institution in righteousness under the New Covenant where it could be given to
individuals on a wider scale than through the patriarchs, prophets and priests
under the Temple system (cf. Distinction in the Law (No. 096),
Consubstantial with the Father
(No. 081) and the Relationship between
Salvation by Grace and the Law (No. 082)).
He says that Moses
put a veil over his face to cover the glory of Christ when he had given him the
law. Israel’s hearts were hardened and to this day when they read the OT the
veil remains unlifted (not being revealed - Conybeare and Howson); for it is
only when a person turns to Christ that the veil is lifted (for and after
baptism) and that is through the Holy Spirit (vv. 15-16). This veil remains to
this day, except to those baptised as repentant adults in the Churches of God
keeping God’s Law (see above). Paul says that the Lord is the Spirit and where
the Spirit of the Lord's is there is freedom (v. 17). Paul says that all with unveiled face,
beholding the Glory of the Lord are being changed into his likeness, from one
degree of glory to another for this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. The
Holy Spirit comes from God and through the sacrifice of Christ at Jerusalem it
was made available to man through Christ from the Wave Sheaf Offering on the
First Day of the week (cf. Timing of the
Crucifixion and the Resurrection (No. 159)).
The distinction he
is making is that the Law of God could not be kept without the Holy Spirit that
would engrave it on the hearts of men and they would keep it in the Spirit, as
by that means the elect would share in the Nature of God and in that process
the law would be kept in their hearts and they would obey the law because the
Nature of God would be in them through the Holy Spirit. Until the Christ the
Holy Spirit was given by God on a basis of delegation to patriarchs and
prophets.
Antinomian claims
that the NT does away with the Law of God shows how little the antinomians
understand of the basis of the Law of God proceeding from the Nature of God,
and the function of the Holy Spirit (No. 117)
and the attaining of Eternal Life (No.
133).
Chapter 4
Paul then goes on
in Chapter 4 to develop the activities of the Holy Spirit in the elect. He says
that they have the ministry through the mercy of God and do not lose heart (v.
1). They have renounced disgraceful and underhand ways. They refuse to practice cunning or to tamper
with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth they commend themselves
to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
This was a prophecy of the tampering with Scripture that was proceeding
from the Masoretes that was to see their MT altered in 134 places regarding the
application of Yahovah to Adonai and also the application of Elohim in 13
places and also in Deut. 32:8 in the Masoretic Text (MT). This was to conceal
the application of the Yahovah (SHD 3068) / Yahovih (SHD 3069) distinction in
the OT. However it could not be
eliminated completely. The forgeries and alterations did not reach their peak
however, until the Receptus and its
issue in the KJV. Most of these alterations are listed by Bullinger in his
notes for the KJV placed with these texts. The Athanasians tried to remove the
Book of Revelation from the codex in the Fourth century because the text so
obviously condemned the church at Rome and its Binitarianism / Trinitarianism
and its pagan adoptions from the Sun and Mystery cults. This was so accepted
that when Peter said he wrote from Babylon/Baghdad that they assumed he meant
it was Rome “where Satan’s seat is.”
Just as they tried
to abolish the Sabbaths, New Moons, and Feasts, from the church at Laodicea in
366 CE, they began the persecutions thereafter (cf. Role of the Sabbath in
the Historical Sabbath–keeping Churches of God (No. 170)). The Churches
of God began to be persecuted from 590 CE with the foundation of the Holy Roman
Empire by Gregory I. They attempted to stamp God’s
Calendar (No. 156) out of existence as we see from 170 above. See also:
Alleged Bible Contradictions (No.
164B)
Antinomian Destruction of
Christianity by Misuse of Scripture (No. 164C)
Antinomian Attacks on the Law of God
(No. 164D)
Antinomian Denial of Baptism (No.
164E)
Forgeries and
Additions/Mistranslations in the Bible (No. 164F)
Forgeries and Mistranslations
Relating to the Position of Christ (No. 164G)
In 358 CE the Jews
under Hillel II introduced a false calendar to attempt to corrupt the Temple Calendar
above (cf. Hillel, Babylonian
Intercalations and the Temple Calendar (No. 195C)). That calendar was entirely rejected by the
Churches of God, as a faith, until Dugger and Armstrong introduced it in the
1940s.
In verse 3 Paul
says that even if the gospel is veiled it is veiled only to those who are
perishing. He refers in verse 4 (to Satan) as the god of this age (aionas wrongly translated world) who has
blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the
glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.
Paul says that when
they preach it is not themselves but Jesus Christ as Lord with themselves as
the servants of the faith (v. 5). He says: For it is the God (Ho Theos), who said, “Let light shine
out of darkness” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ (v.6). Remember that is was the Glory of God, that
shone from Christ, that irradiated Moses when he was given the Law at Sinai. In
the Koine Greek Ho Theos is
accompanied here with Tou Theou (also Ton
Theon) following also the rules used by John (Jn. 1:1) and the LXX.
Paul continues
from verse 7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels to show that the
transcendent power belongs to God and not to the elect. Paul says they are
afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair;
persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in
their bodies the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be
manifested in their mortal flesh. So death is at work in them, but life in the
church.
From verse 13 Paul
says that: Since we have the same Spirit as he who wrote: “I believed and so I
spoke (but I was greatly afflicted)” ((Ps.116:10 (LXX 115)). This is further
proof that Paul quoted directly from the LXX as the Bible of the early church).
He continues: We too believe and so we speak; knowing that He who raised the
Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you (the church at
Corinth) into His presence (v. 14). This identifies the First Resurrection
where the church is raised with Christ and the apostles at his coming.
Paul continues
from verses 15ff.: For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to
more and more people it may increase thanksgiving to the Glory of God. So we do not lose heart; Though our outer
nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this
slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of Glory
beyond all comparison. For we look not to the things that are seen, but to the
things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient; but the
things that are unseen are eternal.
*****
2Corinthians
RSV
Chapter 1
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother. To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are
in the whole of Acha'ia: 2Grace
to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our
affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction,
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5For as we share abundantly in
Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort
too. 6If we are
afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is
for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same
sufferings that we suffer. 7Our
hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you
will also share in our comfort. 8For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of the
affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed
that we despaired of life itself. 9Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death;
but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the
dead; 10he
delivered us from so deadly a peril, and he will deliver us; on him we have set
our hope that he will deliver us again. 11You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give
thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many
prayers. 12For
our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have behaved in the
world, and still more toward you, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by
earthly wisdom but by the grace of God. 13For we write you nothing but what you can read and
understand; I hope you will understand fully, 14as you have understood in part, that you can be proud of
us as we can be of you, on the day of the Lord Jesus. 15Because I was sure of this, I
wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double pleasure; 16I wanted to visit you on my
way to Macedo'nia, and to come back to you from Macedo'nia and have you send me
on my way to Judea. 17Was
I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans like a worldly man,
ready to say Yes and No at once? 18As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been
Yes and No. 19For
the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silva'nus and Timothy
and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. 20For all the promises of God
find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory
of God. 21But it
is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; 22he has put his seal upon us
and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23But I call God to witness
against me--it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. 24Not that we lord it over your
faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Chapter 2
1For I made up my mind not to make you another painful
visit. 2For if I
cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have
pained? 3And I
wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who
should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would
be the joy of you all. 4For
I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears,
not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for
you. 5But if any
one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure--not to
put it too severely--to you all. 6For such a one this punishment by the majority is
enough; 7so you
should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by
excessive sorrow. 8So
I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know
whether you are obedient in everything. 10Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have
forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence
of Christ, 11to
keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his
designs. 12When
I came to Tro'as to preach the gospel of Christ, a door was opened for me in
the Lord; 13but
my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took
leave of them and went on to Macedo'nia. 14But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in
triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him
everywhere. 15For
we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among
those who are perishing, 16to
one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to
life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but
as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Chapter 3
1Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need,
as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2You yourselves are our letter
of recommendation, written on your hearts, to be known and read by all
men; 3and you
show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink
but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets
of human hearts. 4Such
is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5Not that we are competent of
ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from
God, 6who has
made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but
in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7Now if the dispensation of
death, carved in letters on stone, came with such splendor that the Israelites
could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness, fading as this
was, 8will not
the dispensation of the Spirit be attended with greater splendor? 9For if there was splendor in
the dispensation of condemnation, the dispensation of righteousness must far
exceed it in splendor. 10Indeed,
in this case, what once had splendor has come to have no splendor at all,
because of the splendor that surpasses it. 11For if what faded away came with splendor, what is
permanent must have much more splendor. 12Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13not like Moses, who put a veil
over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of the fading
splendor. 14But
their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant,
that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken
away. 15Yes, to
this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds; 16but when a man turns to the
Lord the veil is removed. 17Now
the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
freedom. 18And
we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed
into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the
Lord who is the Spirit.
Chapter 4
1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do
not lose heart. 2We
have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or
to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would
commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is
veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this
world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the
light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God. 5For what we preach is not
ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus'
sake. 6For it is
the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in
our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Christ. 7But
we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power
belongs to God and not to us. 8We
are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to
despair; 9persecuted,
but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body
the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our
bodies. 11For
while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that
the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death is at work in us, but
life in you. 13Since
we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so
I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, 14knowing that he who raised the
Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his
presence. 15For
it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it
may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16So we do not lose heart.
Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed
every day. 17For
this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory
beyond all comparison, 18because
we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for
the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are
eternal.
Bullinger’s Notes on 2Corinthians Chs. 1-4
(for KJV)
Chapter 1
Verse 1
apostle. App-189. First occurance of this form of address
Compare Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:1. Ephesians 1:1. Colossians 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:1. 2 Timothy 1:1,
Jesus Christ. App-98.
by = through. Greek. dia. App-104. 2 Corinthians 1:1.
will. Greek. thelema, App-102. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:1.
God. App-98. Compare Acts 9:15.
Timothy. Timothy is associated with Paul in the address of
the epistles to Philippians, Colossians; and with Paul and Silas in the two
epistles to the Thessalonians.
our = the.
unto = to.
church. App-186.
at = in. App-104.
with. Greek. sun. App-104.
saints. Greek. hagios. See Acts 9:13.
in. App-104.
Grace. App-184.,
from. Greek. apo. App-104.
Father. App-98.
Lord. App-98.
Blessed. Greek. eulogetos. See Romans 1:2.
God = the God.
even = and, as in Ephesians 1:3. 1 Peter 1:3.
Lord. App-98.
mercies. Greek. oiktirmos. See Romans 12:1.
the God of all comfort. Compare Acts 7:2.
comfort. Greek. paraklesis. See Acts 4:36.
This word appears eleven times in this Epistle, six times in this chapter. In
to 2 Corinthians 5:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7 translated "consolation".
Note the Figure of speech Epanodos, App-8.
comforteth. Greek. parokaleo. App-134. Occurs
eighteen times in this epistle.
in = upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
tribulation. Greek thilpsis. See Acts 7:10.
that we may be = unto (Greek. eis. App-104.) our
being.
any = every.
trouble. Same as "tribulation".
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.
sufferings. Greek. pathetna. See Romans 8:18.
Christ = the Christ. App-98.
in = towards. Greek. eis, as in 2 Corinthians 1:4.
consolation = comfort, as 2 Corinthians 1:3.
whether = if. Greek. eite, App-118.
afflicted. Greek. thliho. Occurs here, 2 Corinthians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 7:5, Matthew 7:14. Mark 3:9. 1 Thessalonians 3:4. 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Timothy 5:10. Hebrews 11:37.
Compare "tribulation", above.
for. Greek huper. App-104.
is effectual = worketh, See Romans 7:5.
enduring. Greek. hupomone. Generally
trans). "patience".
of = on
behalf of. Greek haper, as in 2 Corinthians 1:6.
stedfast. Greek. bebaios. See Hebrews 2:2. In
some MSS. this clause stands at the beginning of 2 Corinthians 1:6, in
others in the middle, alter "suffer".
knowing. Greek. oida. App-182.
partakers. Greek. koinonos. Seer Colossians 10:18.
also, etc. of the consolation also.
would not = do not wish (Greek. thelo. App-102.)
you to be.
not. Greek ou. App-105.
ignorant. Greek agnoeo. See Romans 1:13.
The sixth occurance of this expression.
of. The texts read "concerning", Greek. peri.
App-104.
to us, The texts omit,
pressed = weighed down. Greek. bareo, Elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 6:4. Matthew 26:43 (heavy). Mark 14:40. Luke 9:32, 1 Timothy 5:16 (charged),
out of measure. Literally according to (Greek. kata. App-104.)
excellence (Greek. hyperbole) or excess. This phrase is used
five times. See 2 Corinthians 4:17. Romans 7:13. 1 Corinthians 12:31. Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:13.
above. Greek. huper. App-104.
strength = power. Greek. dunamis. App-172.
insomuch = so.
despaired. Greek. exaporeomai. Only here
and 2 Corinthians 4:8.
The reference may be to the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:23-34),
where his life would have been in danger, but for the counsel of his friends (2 Corinthians 1:31;
but the following verses rather indicate some dangerous sickness. Both may have
been in the apostle"s mind,
life. Greek. zao. Compare App-170.
sentence = answer. Greek. apokrima. Only
here. Compare App-122. The only issue he could see from his troubles
wag "death".
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
not. Greek. me. App-105.
trust. Greek. peitho. App-160. naiseth.
Greek. egeiro. App-175.
the dead. App-139.
delivered. Greek. ruomai, Note the different
tenses, giving the Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.
from = out of. Greek. ek. App-104.
so great. Greek. telikoutos. Only here, Hebrews 2:3. James 3:4. Revelation 16:18.
doth. The texts read "will",
trust = hope.
yet = still also.
helping together = co-operating. Greek. sunupourgeo.
Only here.
by. No Preposition. Dative case.
prayer. Greek. deesis, App-134.
gift. Greek. charisma. App-184.
upon. Greek. eis. App-104.
by the means of = from. Greek. ek. App-104.
Thanks may be given. Literally, it may be thanked. Greek. eucharisteo.
See Acts 27:35.
on our behalf = on account of (Greek. huper. Same
as "for", 2 Corinthians 1:6)
us.
rejoicing = boasting Greek. kauchesis, the act of
boasting, See Romans 3:22.
testimony. Greek. marturion. First occurance, Matthew 8:4,
conscience. See Acts 23:1.
simplicity = guilelessness. Greek. haplotos,
Elsewhere 2 Corinthians 8:2; 2 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 9:13, 2 Corinthians 11:3; Romans 12:8. Ephesians 6:5. Colossians 3:22.
The texts read hagiotes, holiness; not the Syriac.
godly sincerity = sincerity of God.
sincerity, Greek. eilikrineia. See 1 Corinthians 5:8.
with = in. Greek. en. App-104,
fleshly. Greek. sarkikos. See Romans 7:14 and 1 Peter 2:11.
by = in, as above.
have had our eonvereation = behaved, or lived.
Greek anastrepho, Compare Ephesians 2:3. 1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 10:33; Hebrews 13:18. 1 Peter 1:17. 2 Peter 2:18.
world. Greek kosmos. App-129.1.
more abundantly. Greek. perissoterds. Out of thirteen
occurances, seven are in this Epistle. See 2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:13, 2 Corinthians 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:23, 2 Corinthians 11:24; 2 Corinthians 12:15,
to you-ward = towards (Greek. pros. App-104.)
you.
none = not (Greek. ou).
other. Greek. allos App-124.
acknowledge. Greek. epiginosko. App-132.
even. The texts omit.
also ye = ye also.
have. Omit.
in part. Greek. apo merous. A part of you,
the faithful ones.
rejoicing = ground of boasting. Greek. kauchema.
See Romans 4:2.
the day, &c. See 1 Corinthians 5:5.
Jesus. App-98.
in. No Prep Out, case. confidence. Greek. pepoithesis.
App-160.
was minded = wished. Greek. boulomai, App-102.
unto. Greek. pros. App-104.
before, i.e. before visiting Macedonia.
benefit. Greek charis, App-181.
into. Greek eis. App-104.
out of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.
brought on my way. Greek. piopempo. See Acts 15:3
toward. Greek. eis, as above. This was the
apostle"s original intention, but was altered, because of his not
finding Titus 2:12-13).
See p. 1727.
did I, &c. The question is introduced by meti,
expecting a negative answer,
lightness = fickleness. Gn elaphria, Only
here.
purpose = plan. Greek. bouleuoThe "Received
Text" reads bouleuomai at the beginning of the verse
also.
according to. Greek. kata. App-104.
with. Greek. para. App-104.
yea yea = the yea yea.
nay nay = the nay nay. Greek. on. App-105. That
is, one thing to-day and another to-morrow.
true = faithful. Greek. pistos App-150.
word. Greek. logos. App-121. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:18.
toward = unto. Greek. pros, as in
verses: 2 Corinthians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 1:16, 2 Corinthians 1:20.
Son. Greek. huios. App-108.
preached. Greek. kereseo, App-121.
among. Greek. en. App-104.
Silvanus = Silas. Compare 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:1. 1 Peter 5:12.
See Acts 18:5.
all, &c. = as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are.
and in Him. The texts read" Wherefore also through (App-104, 2 Corinthians 1:1)
Him they are. "Amen, This Hebrew word is translated "verily" in
the Gospels, except in Matthew 6:13 at
the end of the Lord"s Prayer, and at the close of each Gospel, It does not
nec. in the Acts. In the Epistles it comes at the close of benedictions and
doxologies. In the Revelation occasionally at the beginning. There are three
exceptions, here, 1 Corinthians 14:16,
and Revelation 3:14. In
the last passage it is a title of the Lord. It means "truth", and He
is the Truth (John 14:6).
Compare Isaiah 65:16,
where "the God of truth" is "the God of Amen",
stablisheth = confirms. Greek. bebaioo. See Romans 15:8.
hath. Omit.
anointed. Greek. chrio, the verb from which Christos is
formed. Elsewhere, always of the Lord. Luke 4:18. Acts 4:27; Acts 10:38. Hebrews 1:9.
hath. Omit.
also sealed us = sealed us also.
sealed. Greek. sphragizo. Compare John 3:33.
given = gave,
earnest. Greek. arrabon. Only here, 2 Corinthians 5:5. Ephesians 1:14. A
foretaste or pledge of some future benefit.
Spirit. App-101. The operation of the Spirit is the pledge of the
fulfilment of the promises.
call God for a record = invoke God as a witness.
call. Greek. epikaleomai. See Acts 2:21,
Compare Acts 25:11, Acts 25:12, Acts 25:21, Acts 25:25;
&c.
record. Greek. martur. Compare Romans 1:9.
upon, Greek. epi. App-104.
soul. Greek. psuche. App-110.
spare. Greek.pheidomai. See Acts 20:29.
as yet. Greek. ouketi.
unto. Greek. eis. App-104.
for that = because.
have dominion = lord it. Greek. kurieuo. See Romans 6:9.
faith. Greek. pistis. App-150.
helpers. Greek sunergoe. See Romans 3:9.
Chapter
2
Verse 1
determined = judged, or decided. Greek. krino.
App-122.
that I would not cot to.
not. Greek. me. App-105.
to = unto. Greek. pros. App-104.
in. Greek. en. App-104.
heaviness = sorrow or grief. Greek. lupe,
translated "sorrow" in verses: 2 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 2:7.
Verse 2
if. Greek. ei. App-118.
make . . . sorry = grieve. Greek. lupeo,
trenel. "grieve", or "cause grief" in verses: 2 Corinthians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 2:4, a.
Out of twenty-six occurrences, twelve are in this Epistle.
maketh. . . glad. Greek. euphraind. See Acts 2:26 (rejoice).
but. = except. Greek. ei me.
by. Greek. ek. App-104.
Verse 3
unto you. The texts omit.
lest = in order that (Greek. hina) not
(Greek. me),
sorrow. See 2 Corinthians 2:1.
from. Greek. apo. App-104.
having confidence = trusting. Greek. peitho. App-150.
in = upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
Verse 4
out of. Greek. ek. App-104.
affliction. Greek. thlipeis, as in 2 Corinthians 1:4.
anguish = straitening, or distress. Greek. sunoche.
Only here and Luke 21:25.
Compare the verb sunecho, 2 Corinthians 5:14. Luke 12:50, Acts 18:5. Philippians 1:1, Philippians 1:23.
unto = to.
with = by, or through. Greek.
dia. App-104. 2 Corinthians 2:1.
not. Greek. ou. App-105.
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
know. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
love. Greek. agape. App-135.
more abundantly. See 2 Corinthians 1:12.
unto. Greek. eie. App-104.
Verse 5
any. Greek. tie. App-123.
in part, Greek. apo merous. The grief has come from a
part of you who have been led away.
overcharge = lay a burden, or press heavily, upon.
Greek. epibareo. Only here, 1 Thessalonians 2:9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8.
Verse 6
man = one, as 2 Corinthians 2:7.
Punishment = censure. Greek. epitimia. Only here.
Compare the verb epitimao. First occurance: Matthew 8:26.
Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-6.
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.
many = the more, i.e. the majority.
Verse 7
contrariwise = (on) the contrary. Greek. taunantion,
for to enantion. Here, Galatians 1:2, Galatians 1:7. 1 Peter 3:9,
forgive. Greek. charizomai. App-184.
comfort. Greek. parakaleo. App-134.
lest = lest perhaps. Greek. mepos.
swallowed up Greek. katapind. See 1 Corinthians 15:54.
overmuch = more abundant.
Verse 8
beseech. Greek. parakaied, as above.
confirm = ratify with authority. Greek. kuroo.
Only here and Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:15.
Akin to kuries, lord.
toward. Greek. eia. App-104.
Verse 9
to this end for (Greek. eie) this.
also did I write = did I write also.
proof. Greek. dokime. See Romans 5:4 (experience).
whether = if. App-118.
obedient. Greek hupikoos. See Acts 7:39.
in. Greek. eis, no above.
Verse 10
I forgive also = also forgive.
for your sake. Literally on account of (Greek. dia.
App-104. 2 Corinthians 2:2)
you.
person = face, i.e. eight, or presence.
Christ. App-98.
Verse 11
Satan, &c. Literally should be overreached (Greek.
pleonekteo. Here, 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:17, 2 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:6)
by (Greek. hupo, as in 2 Corinthians 2:6)
Satan.
ignorant. Gr. agnoeo. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:8.
Figure of speech Tapeinosis. App-8.
devices = thoughts.
Greek. noema
Elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 2 Corinthians 11:3. Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:7.
See 2 Corinthians 11:3. Ephesians 6:11. Revelation 2:24,
Verse 12
Furthermore = Now. to. Greek eis. App-104.
Troas. See Acts 16:8.
to preach Christ"s gospel = for (Cr. eis) the
gospel (App-140) of the Messiah.
door. See 1 Corinthians 16:9,
of. Greek en. App-104.
Lord. App-98.
Verse 13
no = not (Greek. ou).
rest. Greek. anesis. See Acts 24:23.
Spirit. App-101.
taking . . . leave. Greek. apotassomai. See Acts 18:18.
went from thence = went forth. into. Greek eis. App-104.
Verse 14
thanks. Greek. charis. App-184.
God. App-98.
causeth us to triumph = leadeth us in triumph (Greek. thriamheud),
or triumphs over us as in Colossians 2:15.
Only in these two places. Paul was a captive won by grace. In a Roman triumph
there were captives destined to be spared and captives destined to death.
See 2 Corinthians 2:16.
maketh manifest. Greek. phaneroo. App-106.
savour. Greek osme. Elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 2:16. John 12:3 (odour). Ephesians 5:2. Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:18 (odour).
knowledge. Greek. gnosis. App-192.
by = by means of. Greek. dia. App-104. 2 Corinthians 2:1.
Paul gave evidence of the wisdom which dwelt in Him (Colossians 2:3) in
his own conversion (1 Timothy 1:16),
as well as in his preaching.
Verse 15
sweet savour. Greek. euodia, Elsewhere, Ephesians 5:2. Philippians 1:4, Philippians 1:18.
saved = being saved. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:18.
perish = are perishing. Greek. opollumi.
See 1 Corinthians 1:18.
Verse 16
life. Greek. zoe. App-170.
for. Greek. pros. App-104.
Verse 17
many. As in 2 Corinthians 2:6.
corrupt = adulterate. Greek kapeleuo. Only
here. The word kapelos, which occurs once in the Septuagint, meant
as huckster, tavern-keeper, and then the verb came to
mean "adulterate". See Isaiah 1:22,
where the Septuagint meads, "thy wine-sellers mix the wine with
water".
word. Greek. logos. App-121.
of. Greek. ek. App-104.
sincerity. See 1 Corinthians 5:8.
in the sight of = I Clare. Greek. katendpion. Elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 12:19. Ephesians 1:4. Colossians 1:22. Jude 1:24.
The texts read kateanti, over against,
speak. Greek. laleo. App-121.
Chapter
3
Verse 1
Do we, &c. = Are we to begin.
again. He had done so in 1Co 9.
commend. Greek. sunistano. See on Romans 3:5.
some. Greek tines. App-124.
epistles, &c. = commendatory (Greek. sustatikos.
Only here) letters. Compare Acts 18:27.
to. Ge. pros. App-104,
from. Greek. ek. App-104. Question preceded
by me.
Verse 2
written. Cr. engrapho. Only here and 2 Corinthians 3:3.
in. Greek. en, App-104.
known. Greek ginosko. App-132.
read. Greek anaginosko. There is a Paronomasia here,
App-6.
of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.
men. App-123.
Verse 3
manifestly declared = manifested. Greek. phaneroo. App-106.
Christ. App-08.
ministered. Greek diakaneo. App-190.
by. Greek. hupo, as in 2 Corinthians 3:2.
not. Greek. ou. App-105.
with. No Preposition. Dative case.
ink. Greek. melan. Only here, 2 John 1:12. 3 John 1:13.
Spirit. App-101.
God. App-98.
tables of stone = stone tables.
tables. Greek. plax. Only here and Hebrews 9:4.
fleshy. Greek. sarkinos. This word refers to the
substance or material and carries no moral significance. Compare Hebrews 7:16,
where the texts read as here.
Verse 4
trust = confidence. Greek. pepoithesis. App-130.,
through. Greek. dia. App-104.
Christ = the Christ.
to God-ward = toward (Greek. pros. App-104.)
God.
Verse 5
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.
think = reckon. Greek logizomai. See the
frequent occurance in Rom 4, count, reckon, &c.
any thing. Greek. tis. App-123.,
of. Greek. ek. App-101.
sufficiency. Greek. hikanotes. Only here.
of. Greek. ek, as above.
Verse 6
also. Road after "ministers".
hath made us able = enabled us, or made us efficient as.
Greek. hikanoo. Only here and Colossians 1:12.
ministers. Greek. diakonos. App-190.
the = a.
new. Greek. kainos. See Matthew 9:17.
testament = covenant. Greek. diatheke. See Matthew 26:28.
This is the covenant of Jeremiah 31:31.
Compare Hebrews 8:6-13.
the. Omit.
letter. Greek. gramma. This is the Sinaitic
covenant, called "theministration of death" in 2 Corinthians 3:7.
spirit. The old covenant could not give life. It was like a dead
body, for lack of the spirit (James 2:26).
Compare John 6:63. Christ
is the Spirit of the new covenant. See 2 Corinthians 3:17,
giveth life = quickeneth. Greek. zoopoieo. See Romans 8:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:45.
Verse 7
if. App-118.2, a.
ministration. Greek. diakonia. App-190.
written = in (Greek. en. App-104.) letters.
See 2 Corinthians 3:6.
engraven. Greek. entupoo. Only here.
was = came to be.
glorious = in (Greek. en) glory.
children = sons. Greek. huios. App-108.
not. Greek. me. App-106.
stedfastly behold gaze upon. Greek. atenizo. App-133.
Followed by the Greek eis (App-104.)
Moses. Occurs three times in this Epistle, here, on 2 Corinthians 13:15.
for = on amount of. Greek. dia. App-104. 2 Corinthians 3:2.
to be done away = being done away. Greek. katargeo.
See Romans 3:3.
Verse 8
not. Greek. ouchi. App-105.
Verse 9
condemnation. Greek. katakrisis. Only here
and 2 Corinthians 7:3.
See App-122.
righteousness. Gs. dikaiosune. App-191.
Verse 10
made glorious = glorified. Greek. doxazo. See
p. 1511.
had no glory = was not glorified, as above.
excelleth. Greek. huperballo. Occurs here, 2 Corinthians 9:14, Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:19.
Verse 11
glorious = through (Greek. dia. App-104. 2 Corinthians 3:1)
glory.
remaineth. Greek. meno. See p. 1511.
glorious = in (Greek. en) glory.
Verse 12
Seeing . . . have = Having then.
use. Greek chraomai. See Acts 27:3,
great = much.
plainness of speech = outspokenness. Greek. parrhesia.
Often translated boldly, or freely.
Verse 13
vail. Greek kalununa. Only here and in
verses: 2 Corinthians 3:14, 2 Corinthians 3:15, 2 Corinthians 3:16.
over = upon. Greek. epi. App-104. See Exodus 34:33.
that, &c. = with a view to (Greek. pros. App-104.)
the children of Israel"s not gazing to the end.
to. Greek. eis. App-104.
abolished = being done away, as in 2 Corinthians 3:7.
Verse 14
minds = thoughts. Greek. noema. See 2 Corinthians 2:11.
blinded = hardened. Greek. poroo. Sea Romans 11:7, Romans 11:26 (poroeis).
this day = to-day. Greek. semeron.
untaken away = not (Greek. me. App-105) unveiled,
or revealed (Greek. anakalupto, unveil, only here and 2 Corinthians 3:18).
This should follow "old testament". It means, "it being not
revealed that it is done away" (Revised Version m.)
in. Greek. epi. App-104.
reading. Greek. anagnosis. See Acts 13:15.
old testament = old covenant. The only place where the term
is used. The usual designation is "the law", or
"Moses" (2 Corinthians 3:15).
which vail = that (Greek. hoti) it.
Verse 15
when. Greek. henika. Only here and 2 Corinthians 3:16.
is = lieth.
upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
Verse 16
it. i.e. the heart of Israel.
turn. Greek. epistrepho. Often
translated "return", or be converted". See Matthew 13:15. John 12:40. Acts 3:19; Acts 28:27.
Lord. App-98.
taken away. Greek periaireo. See Acts 27:20.
Verse 17
Lord. App-98.
that = the.
Spirit. App-101. Compare 2 Corinthians 3:6.
Verse 18
open = unveiled. See 2 Corinthians 3:14.
Here is the contrast. Moses alone beheld and reflected the Shekinah glory, we
all behold and reflect the Lord"s glory.
beholding . . . glass = reflecting, as Revised Version.
Greek. katoptrizo. Only here.
changed = transformed. Greek. metamorphoomai. See Mark 9:2.
image. Greek. eiken. Compare Romans 8:29.
Co 2 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:10. .
Greek. apo. App-104.
by = from, Greek. apo.
the Spirit of the Lord = the Lord the Spirit. The
word "Spirit" is in the Genitive of Apposition. App-17.
See 2 Corinthians 3:6.
Chapter
4
Verse 1
Therefore = On account of (Greek. dia.
App-104. 2 Corinthians 4:2)
this.
seeing we have = having.
ministry. Greek. diakonia App-190.
have. Omit.
received mercy. Compare 1 Corinthians 7:25.
faint. Greek. ekkakeo. Occurs: 2 Corinthians 4:16, Luke 18:1 (which
see). Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:9. Ephesians 3:13. 2 Thessalonians 3:13.
not. Greek. ou. App-105.
Verse 2
renounced. Greek. apeipon. Only here.
the hidden, &c. = the shameful secret things. This is the
Figure of speech Antieoereia. App-6.
dishonesty = shame. Greek. aischune. Always
translated "shame", except here. Luke 14:9. Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:19. Hebrews 12:2. Jude 1:19. Revelation 3:18.
not. Greek. me. App-105.
in. Greek. en. App-104.
craftiness. See Luke 20:23
nor. Greek mede,
handling . . . deceitfully. Greek. doloo. Only
here.
word. Greek. logos. App-121.
God. App-98.
manifestation. Greek. phanerosis. See 1 Corinthians 12:7.
commending. See 2 Corinthians 3:1.
to. Greek pros. App-104.
every man"s conscience. Lit, every conscience of
men (Greek. anthropos. App-123.1).
Verse 3
if. App-118.
gospel, Compare App-140.
hid = hid (Greek. kaluptd, to cover or veil)
also. Compare James 5:20. 1 Peter 4:8,
and See 2 Corinthians 3:13-16.
hid. Same verb.
to = in. Greek. en.
lost = perishing. Greek. apollumi. See 1 Corinthians 1:1.
Verse 4
god. App-98.
world = age. Greek. aion. App-129. Compare John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11;
where, however, world is kosmos (App-129.)
minds. Greek. noema. See 2 Corinthians 2:11,
them, &c. = the unbelieving. Greek. apistos. Compare
App-150.
lest, &c. = to (Greek. eie. App-104.) the end that
the light . . . should not (Greek. me as in 2 Corinthians 4:2).
light = illumination. Greek. photismos. App-130.
glorious
gospel = gospel (or good news) of the glory. Compare 1 Timothy 1:11. Titus 2:13.
See App-140.
Christ = the Christ. App-98.
image. See 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Co 2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:15. Hebrews 1:3 (charakter).
shine. Greek. augazo. Only here. Compare apaugasma, Hebrews 1:3.
unto them. The texts omit,
Verse 5
preach. Greek. kerusso. App-121.
Christ Jesus. App-9.
the Lord = as Lord. App-96. Compare Romans 10:9.
servants. Greek doulos. App-190.
for, &c. = on account of (Greek. dia App-104)
Jesus (App-98).
Verse 6
commanded. Literally spoke. Compare Genesis 1:3.
light. Greek. phos. App-130.
out of. Greek. ek, App-104.
give the light = the illumination. Greek photismos, as
in 2 Corinthians 4:4.
knowledge. Greek. gnosis. App-132.
Jesus Christ. App-98. XL The texts omit "Jesus".
Verse 7
earthen. Greek. ostrakinos Only here and 2 Timothy 2:20.
From ostrakon, a potsherd. Compare App-94. Treasure in the
East is often hidden in the earth and in a potter"s vessel to protect from
damp, &c. Compare Jeremiah 32:14.
that = Go order that. Greek. hina,
excellency. Greek. huperbole. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7 (abundance).
power. Greek. dunamis. App-172.
of = out of. Greek. eh. App-104. It does not
emanate from us. "of God" is the possessive case. The power
net only emanates from God, but belongs to Him. Heoes not part with it.
Verse 8
troubled = afflicted, Greek. thlibo. See 2 Corinthians 1:6.
on every side = in (Greek. en) every thing.
distressed. Greek. stenochoreomai, Only here
and 2 Corinthians 6:12,
where it is translated "straitened". The Syriac rends
"suffocated", referring probably to a wrestler who is compressed by
his antagonist.
perplexed. Greek apareomai. Not knowing which way
to turn. See Acts 25:20.
in despair. Greek. exaporeomai. See 2 Corinthians 1:8.
Verse 9
forsaken = abandoned. Greek. enkataleipo. See Acts 2:27.
cast down. Greek. kataballo. Only here, Hebrews 6:1. Revelation 12:10.
destroyed. Greek. apollumi, as in 2 Corinthians 4:3.
Notice the four"note" in these two verses. Fig, Mesodiplosis.
App-6.
Verse 10
Always. App-151. to. i.
bearing about. Greek. periphero. Mark 6:55. Ephesians 4:14, Hebrews 13:9. Jude 1:12.
dying. Greek. nekrosis. Only here and Romans 4:19. It
means the condition of a corpse. It was his constant experience. See next
verse.
Lord. The texts omit,
life. Greek. zoe. App-170.
made manifest. Greek. phaneroo. App-106.
Verse 11
which live, Literally the living. Greek. zao. Compare
App-170.
alway. App-151.
delivered. Greek. paredidomi. See John 19:30.
unto. Greek. eis. App-104.
mortal. Gr. thnetos. See Romans 6:12.
Verse 12
worketh. Greek. energeo. See Romans 7:5.
Verse 13
spirit. App-101.
faith. App-160. It is the Genitive of Apposition (App-17) faith
being the Spirit"s gift. 1 Corinthians 12:9.
according as, &c. = according to (Greek. kata.
App-104) that which has been written.
believed. App-150.
and. Omit,
have I spoken = I
spoke. Greek. laleo. App-121.
and therefore speak = therefore we also speak.
Verse 14
Knowing. Greek. oida App-132.
raised up. Greek. egeiro. App-178.
Lord. App-98.
by = through. Greek. dia, but the texts
read "with", Greek. sun.
with. Greek. sun. App-104.
Verse 15
for your sakes = on account of (Greek. dia. App-104. 2 Corinthians 4:2)
you.
abundant = abounding. Greek. pleonazo. See Romans 5:20
grace. Greek charis. App-184.
through. Greek. eis. App-104, 2 Corinthians 4:1.
thanksgiving. Greek. eucharistia. See Acts 24:3.
Compare 2 Corinthians 1:11.
many = the majority, es in 2 Corinthians 2:6,
redound = over flow, or excel. Greek. periaaseo
to. Greek. eis. App-104.
Verse 16
For which cause = Therefore.
though = even if. App-118.
outward (Greek. exo) man (Greek. anthropos,
App-123.) This expression Occurs only here. It is one of the rearms of the old
nature. Compare Romans 6:6. 1 Corinthians 2:14. Ephesians 4:22. Colossians 3:9.
perish = is corrupted or destroyed, Greek diaphtheire. Occurs
elsewhere, Luke 12:33, 1 Timothy 6:5. Revelation 8:9; Revelation 11:1.
inward. Greek. eadthen. In Romans 7:22. Ephesians 3:16,
the word is eso.
renewed. Greek. anakainoo Only here and Colossians 3:10.
Verse 17
our light, &c. Literally the momentary lightness of our
affliction.
light. Greek. elaphros. Only here and Matthew 11:30.
Compare "lightness", 2 Corinthians 1:17.
affliction. Greek. thlipsis as in 2 Corinthians 1:4.
Compare the verb, 2 Corinthians 4:8.
for a moment. Greek. parautika. Only here.
worketh. Greek. katergazomai. To work out.
See Romans 7:8.
far more exceeding. Literally according to (Greek. kata.
App-104,) excess unto (Greek. eis. App-104.) excess. The Greek
for "excess" is hyperbole, as in 2 Corinthians 4:7.
eternal. Greek. aionios. App-161. B, i.
weight. Greek. baros. See Acts 16:24.
Verse 18
look. Greek. skopeo. See Luke 11:35.
seen. Greek. blepo. App-133.:6.
temporal = temporary, for a season. Greek. proskairos, Only
here, Matthew 13:21. Mark 4:17. Hebrews 11:25.