WE FAINT NOT (ουκ εγκακουμεν). Present active indicative of εγκακεω, late verb (εν, κακος) to behave badly in, to give in to evil, to lose courage. In Symmachus (LXX), Polybius, and papyri. It is the faint-hearted coward. Paul speaks of himself (literary plural). Can he not speak for all of us?... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE HAVE RENOUNCED (αλλα απειπαμεθα). Indirect middle second aorist (timeless aorist) indicative of απειπον (defective verb) with α of first aorist ending, to speak forth, to speak off or away from. Common verb in the active, but rare in middle and only here in N.T.THE HIDDEN THINGS OF SHAME... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS VEILED IN THEM THAT ARE PERISHING (εν τοις απολλυμενοις εστιν κεκαλυμμενον). Periphrastic perfect passive of καλυπτω, to veil in both condition (first class) and conclusion. See on 2 Corinthians 2:15 for "the perishing.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD OF THIS WORLD (ο θεος του αιωνος τουτου). "Age," more exactly, as in 1 Corinthians 1:20. Satan is "the god of this age," a phrase nowhere else in the N.T., but Jesus uses the same idea in John 12:31; John 14:30 and Paul in Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12 and John in 1 John 5:19. Satan claim... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE PREACH NOT OURSELVES (ου γαρ εαυτους κηρυσσομεν). Surely as poor and disgusting a topic as a preacher can find.BUT CHRIST JESUS AS LORD (αλλα Χριστον Ιησουν Κυριον). Κυριον is predicate accusative in apposition.AS YOUR SERVANTS FOR JESUS' SAKE (δουλους υμων δια Ιησουν). Your bond-slave... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD WHO SAID (ο θεος ο ειπων). Paraphrase of Genesis 1:3.WHO SHINED (ος ελαμψεν). Like a lamp in the heart (cf. Matthew 5:15). Miners carry a lamp on the forehead, Christians carry one in their hearts lit by the Spirit of God.TO GIVE THE LIGHT (προς φωτισμον). For the illumination.IN THE FACE... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS TREASURE (τον θησαυρον τουτον). On θησαυρον see Matthew 6:19-21. It is the power of giving the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of God (verse 2 Corinthians 4:6). "The power is limitless, but it is stored in very unlikely receptacles" (Plummer). This warning Paul gives in contrast ... [ Continue Reading ]
PRESSED (θλιβομενο). From θλιβω, to press as grapes, to contract, to squeeze. Series of present passive participles here through verse 2 Corinthians 4:9 that vividly picture Paul's ministerial career.YET NOT STRAITENED (αλλ' ου στενοχωρουμενο). Each time the exception is stated by αλλ' ου. From... [ Continue Reading ]
FORSAKEN (εγκαταλειπομενο). Double compound of old verb εγ-κατα-λειπω, to leave behind, to leave in the lurch.SMITTEN DOWN (καταβαλλομενο). As if overtaken.DESTROYED (απολλυμενο). Perishing as in verse 2 Corinthians 4:3. Was Paul referring to Lystra when the Jews stoned him and thought him de... [ Continue Reading ]
BEARING ABOUT (περιφεροντες). Ignatius was called Θεοφορος, God-bearer. See 1 Corinthians 15:31 where Paul says "I die daily" and Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24.THE DYING OF JESUS (την νεκρωσιν του Ιησου). Late word from νεκροω, to put to death. In Galen. In N.T. only here and Romans 4:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE ALWAY DELIVERED UNTO DEATH (εις θανατον παραδιδομεθα). This explains verse 2 Corinthians 4:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
DEATH WORKETH IN US (ο θανατος εν ημιν ενεργειτα). Middle voice present tense of the old verb to operate, be at work. Physical death works in him while spiritual life (paradox) works in them.... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN (κατα το γεγραμμενον). This formula in legal documents in the papyri (_Bible Studies_, p. 250). Paul makes adaptation of the words in Psalms 95:1.WE ALSO BELIEVE (κα ημεις πιστευομεν). Like the Psalmist. And therefore can speak with effect. Otherwise useless.S... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING MULTIPLIED THROUGH THE MANY (πλεονασασα δια των πλειονων). Late word πλεοναζω from πλεον, more, "making more through the more," with play on πλεον. One can think of Bunyan's _Grace Abounding_.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE WE FAINT NOT (διο ουκ εγκακουμεν). Repeats from verse 2 Corinthians 4:1.OUR OUTWARD MAN (ο εξω ημων ανθρωπος),OUR INWARD MAN (ο εσω ημων). In Romans 7:22; Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 4:22, we have the inward man and the outward for the higher and the lower natures (the spirit and the f... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION WHICH IS FOR THE MOMENT (το παραυτικα ελαφρον της θλιπεσεως ημων). Literally, "the for the moment (old adverb παραυτικα, here only in N.T.) lightness (old word, in N.T. only here and Matthew 11:30)."MORE AND MORE EXCEEDINGLY (καθ' υπερβολην εις υπερβολην). Like piling Pelio... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE WE LOOK NOT (μη σκοπουντων ημων). Genitive absolute with participle of σκοπεω from σκοπος, goal.TEMPORAL (προσκαιρα). Rather temporary, for a season (προς καιρον). Late word. See on Matthew 13:21. See 1 Corinthians 13:12; Hebrews 11:1.... [ Continue Reading ]