2 Corinthians 1:6

6. The text is much confused as to the order of the clauses. Our choice lies between εἲτε δὲ θλιβόμεθα, ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως [καὶ σωτηρίας] τῆς ἐνεργουμένης ἐν ὑπομονῇ τῶν αὐτῶν παθημάτων ὦν καὶ ἡμεῖς πάσχομεν καὶ ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν βεβαία ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν· εἴτε παρακαλούμεθα ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας (BDFGKL) and εἴτε δὲ θλιβόμεθα, ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας· εἴτε παρακαλούμεθα, ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως τῆς ἐνεργουμένης ἐν ὑπομονῇ τῶν αὐτῶν παθημάτων ὦν καὶ ἡμεῖς πάσχομεν, καὶ ἡ ἐλπὶς ἡμῶν βεβαία ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν (אACMP). The latter arrangement is preferable.

6. Respecting the text see critical note. It is possible that τῆς σωτηρίας is a gloss, which has got into the text in two different places; but no authority omits it in both places. But whether we be afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we be comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the endurance of the same sufferings which we also suffer. But rather than ‘and’ for δέ, because the connexion is that the Corinthians are gainers whichever be considered, the affliction or the comfort. So far from being a self-seeking and domineering pretender, as the Apostle’s enemies said, both his suffering and his consolation were for the good of his flock. Whenever the sufferings of the Christ abound in them, i.e. when they have to suffer in the conflict with evil, the Apostle’s afflictions will be a help to them. This is a real communio sanctorum. For ὑμῶν see on 2 Corinthians 12:19.

The alternative εἴτε … εἴτε … is common in all the groups of the Pauline Epistles, excepting the Pastorals; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 8:23; 2 Corinthians 12:2-3; 1 Cor. twelve times; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 6:8; Philippians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; elsewhere in N.T. 1 Peter 2:13 only. The passive of ἐνεργεῖν does not occur in the N.T., the middle only in S. Paul (2 Corinthians 4:12; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:7) and S. James (2 Corinthians 5:16). Which worketh means ‘which makes itself felt in the patient enduring (R.V.) of the same sufferings.’ Mere enduring of what cannot be avoided may be barren pain or worse. It is endurance without rebellion or reproach that is meant by ὑπομονή (2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:12). Comp. ἐν τῇ ὑπομονῆ ὑμῶν κτήσεσθε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν (Luke 21:19), and τὴν ὑπομονὴν Ἰὼβ ἠκούσατε (James 5:11). And there is no endurance without affliction (Romans 5:3).