2 Corinthians 7:5

ἔσχηκεν (אCDLP) rather than ἔσχεν (BFCK).

5. Καὶ γὰρ ἐλθόντων ἡμῶν εἰς Μ. For indeed when we were come into Macedonia; probably at Philippi. Getting away from Troas and reaching Macedonia did not suffice to ease his mind. Comp. Acts 20:1.

οὐδεμίαν ἔσχηκεν ἄνεσιν. Literally, as in 2 Corinthians 2:13, has no relief, the perf. vividly recalling the feeling of the moment. See critical note; the change to ἔσχεν was made because of the apparent difficulty of the perf. Comp. 2 Corinthians 8:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7. Here ἡ σὰρξ ἡμῶν is not the seat of sinfulness, but of human suffering and excitement.

ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι (2 Corinthians 4:8). Nullum genus tribulationis non sumus experti (Primasius). The participle has no construction; but such irregularities are natural and intelligible: comp. 2 Corinthians 11:6; Jude 1:16; and for ἐν παντί, 2 Corinthians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 9:11; 2 Corinthians 11:9. Winer, p. 442.

ἔξωθεν μάχαι, ἔσωθεν φόβοι. This refers to what was all round the Apostle and within his own mind, not to what was outside and inside the Church. The μάχαι point to opposition in Macedonia, but whether from Christians or others there is nothing to show: concursus fidelium et infidelium (Atto Vercel.). The fears were caused, partly by this hostility, but chiefly by the condition of Corinth and his own personal depression. These conflicts without and anxieties within explain ‘afflicted on every side.’ That there is nothing reprehensible in the emotions which S. Paul here and elsewhere reveals is pointed out by Augustine in his noble defence of the Apostle De Civ. Dei xiv. 9. Even Christ Himself exhibited similar emotion.