2 Corinthians 4:12

12. The tendency to insert μέν, against overwhelming evidence, in order to balance a subsequent δέ, is here illustrated. KL and some late authorities here read ὥστε ὁ μὲν θάνατος: comp. Acts 5:23; Acts 19:15. Even without δέ to suggest it, it is sometimes inserted, as Acts 19:5; Hebrews 6:16. In such cases the Rec. commonly inserts, as here.

12. ὥστε ὁ θάνατος ἐν ἡμῖν ἑνεργεῖται, ἡ δὲ ζωὴ ἐν ὑμῖν. This is a startling conclusion to draw from what has just been said; so startling, that Chrysostom, Calvin, and others treat it as sarcastic: ‘So you see that Apostles have a very hard existence, while you live in comfort.’ But there is probably no irony. The first half of the conclusion is drawn from the first half of 2 Corinthians 4:11 : ‘Always we the living are being handed over unto death; so that it is death that is at work in us.’ The second half of the conclusion is drawn from the second half of 2 Corinthians 4:11 : ‘The power of the life of Jesus preserves us to work for your salvation; so that it is life that is at work in you.’ Some of the Corinthians had taunted S. Paul with his bodily infirmities; his appearance was against him; no one would suppose that such a miserably broken-down man was an Apostle. He tells them that they should have been the last people to utter such a scoff; for it is they who have profited by his endurance of sufferings which, but for Divine support, would have killed him. Those who get the treasure should not mock at the shabby appearance of the vessel which brought it to them. Comp. 1 Corinthians 4:10. Theodoret takes it in the same way: τῆς γὰρ ὑμετέρας εἵνεκα σωτηρίας ὑπομένομεν τοὺς κινδύνους· μετὰ κινδύνων γὰρ ὑμῖν τὴν διδασκαλίαν προσφέρομεν· ἡμῶν δὲ κινδυνευόντων, ὑμεῖς�. The articles (ὁ θάνατος … ἡ ζωή) perhaps mean the death and the life which have just been mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:11.