Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:24

24. An example of the Apostle’s tact and caution, to avoid giving offence to his flock and a handle to his accusers: κολάζει τὸ τραχὺ τῶν εἰρημένων … τοῦτο δὲ ὡς ὑφορμοῦν τέθεικεν (Theodoret). ‘When I speak of sparing you, do not think that I claim to domineer over your faith; not even an Apostle has a right to do that. On the contrary, I want you to have joy in what you believe; and if I had come to you in that painful crisis, I could not have helped you to joy. That is what I mean by sparing you.’ Comp. 2 Corinthians 3:5.

οὐχ ὅτι κυριεύομεν. Not that we have (or are exercising) lordship (R.V.). For οὐχ ὄτι comp. 2 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 7:9. Having made his personal protestation, he returns to the first person plural. By συνεργοί he does not mean cooperating with God in promoting their joy, but helping them to have joy in believing: helpers with them, not lords over them. Apostolic authority is ministerial, not despotic.

τῇ γὰρ πίστει ἑστήκατε. For by faith, or by your faith (comp. 1 Corinthians 16:13), or, in your faith, ye stand. The emphasis is on τῇ πίστει: precisely by that. The Apostle is not making the comprehensive statement that it is in faith that salvation is to be found, which would not fit the context. He is merely saying, that, so far as their faith is concerned, the Corinthians are in a sound position. In 2 Corinthians 8:7 their faith is mentioned first. As regards that he is not anxious about them: οὐκ ἐν τούτοις εἶχόν τι μέμψασθαι ὑμᾶς· ἐν ἄλλοις δὲ ἐσαλεύεσθε (Theodoret). He is glad to praise all that he can in them. But could he write 2 Corinthians 13:5 after this? See notes there.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

2 Corinthians 1:24

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