2 Corinthians 8:1
THE GRACE (την χαριν). As manifested in the collection in the churches, poor as they were. The Romans had lacerated Macedonia (Livy, XLV. 30).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE (την χαριν). As manifested in the collection in the churches, poor as they were. The Romans had lacerated Macedonia (Livy, XLV. 30).... [ Continue Reading ]
PROOF (δοκιμη). Tests as of metals as in 2 Corinthians 2:9.ABUNDANCE (περισσεια). Late word from περισσευω, to overflow.THEIR DEEP POVERTY (η κατα βαθους πτωχεια αυτων). Πτωχεια is old word from πτωχευω, to be a beggar, as of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (from πτωχος, cowering in fear and pover... [ Continue Reading ]
BEYOND THEIR POWER (παρα δυναμιν). "Alongside" with accusative like υπερ δυναμιν in 2 Corinthians 1:8. Field (_Ot. Nov_.) quotes Josephus (_Ant_. iii. 6, 1) for κατα δυναμιν and παρα δυναμιν as here. Few give κατα δυναμιν (according to actual ability). Paul commends this high pressure collection... [ Continue Reading ]
BESEECHING US WITH MUCH INTREATY IN REGARD OF THIS GRACE (μετα πολλης παρακλησεως δεομενο ημων την χαριν). Literally, "with much intreaty begging of us the favour and the partnership in the ministry to the saints." The accusative (χαριν) after δεομα is unusual. By χαρις Paul means the privilege o... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAD HOPED (ηλπισαμεν). First aorist active indicative of ελπιζω. "Expected," he means. They went beyond his hopes about them.FIRST THEY GAVE THEIR OWN SELVES (εαυτους εδωκαν πρωτον). First aorist active indicative of διδωμ (k aorist). "Themselves they gave first." That is the explanation of... [ Continue Reading ]
INSOMUCH THAT WE EXHORTED TITUS (εις το παρακαλεσα ημας Τιτον). Use of εις το and the infinitive for result with accusative of general reference (ημας). See Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1003.HE HAD MADE A BEGINNING BEFORE (προενηρξατο). First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb προ... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THIS GRACE ALSO (κα εν ταυτη τη χαριτ). This gifted church (2 Corinthians 8:1) had fallen behind in the grace of giving. Kindly irony in this allusion.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVING (δοκιμαζων). Testing and so proving.THE SINCERITY ALSO OF YOUR LOVE (κα το της υμετερας αγαπης γνησιον). Old adjective, contraction of γενεσιος (γινομα), legitimately born, not spurious. A collection is a test of one's love for Christ, not the only test, but a real one.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH HE WAS RICH (πλουσιος ων). Concessive present participle ων from ειμ, to be.BE BECAME POOR (επτωχευσεν). Ingressive aorist active indicative of πτωχευω (see verse 2 Corinthians 8:2 on πτωχεια).THROUGH HIS POVERTY (τη εκεινου πτωχεια). Instrumental case, by means of.MIGHT BECOME RICH... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGMENT (γνωμην). Deliberate opinion, but not a "command" (επιταγη verse 2 Corinthians 8:8). Cf. 1 Corinthians 7:25.A YEAR AGO (απο περυσ) From last year.NOT ONLY TO DO, BUT ALSO TO WILL (ου μονον το ποιησαι, αλλα κα το θελειν). Articular infinitives the objects of προενηρξασθε on which verb... [ Continue Reading ]
THE READINESS TO WILL (η προθυμια του θελειν). Old word from προθυμος (προ, θυμος), forwardness, eagerness (Acts 17:11). They were quick to pledge.THE COMPLETION ALSO (κα το επιτελεσα). The finishing also (articular first aorist active infinitive).OUT OF YOUR ABILITY (εκ του εχειν). "Out of t... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THERE (προκειτα). Lies before one. Old word.ACCEPTABLE (ευπροσδεκτος). See on 2 Corinthians 6:2.ACCORDING AS A MAN HATH (καθο εαν εχη). Indefinite comparative clause with εαν and present subjunctive εχε. Clearly God does not expect us to give what we do not have.NOT ACCORDING AS HE HATH NO... [ Continue Reading ]
OTHERS MAY BE EASED (αλλοις ανεσις). "Release to others."YE DISTRESSED (υμιν θλιψις). "To you tribulation." The verb η (present subjunctive) with ινα is not expressed.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY EQUALITY (εξ ισοτητος). Old word from ισος, fair, equal. In N.T. only here and Colossians 4:1.ABUNDANCY (περισσευμα). Late word from περισσευω like περισσεια (verse 2 Corinthians 8:2) Cf. Matthew 12:34.WANT (υστερημα). Late word from υστερεω, to be in want. See also 2 Corinthians 9:12; Luk... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH PUTTETH (τω διδοντ). Present active articular participle, "who is continually giving." Hence Titus is full of zealous care for you.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERY EARNEST (σπουδαιοτερος). "More earnest than ordinarily," comparative adjective.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE SENT WITH HIM (συνεπεμψαμεν μετ' αυτου). Epistolary aorist.THE BROTHER (τον αδελφον). This may be, probably is, Luke who may also be the brother of Titus (see also 2 Corinthians 12:18) according to a common Greek idiom where the article is used as "his." But this idiom is not necessary.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHO WAS ALSO APPOINTED (αλλα κα χειροτονηθεις). Anacoluthon. The first aorist passive participle χειροτονηθεις is from χειροτονεω, old verb to stretch out the hands (χειρ τεινω) and so to vote in public. The idea is that this brother was chosen by the churches, not by Paul. Only here in N.T.... [ Continue Reading ]
AVOIDING THIS (στελλομενο τουτο). Present middle participle of στελλω, old verb, to set, to arrange. So "arranging for ourselves this."THAT ANY MAN SHOULD BLAME US (μη τις ημας μωμησητα). Literally, "lest any one blame us" (negative purpose with μη and first aorist middle subjunctive of μωμεομα... [ Continue Reading ]
WE TAKE THOUGHT (προνουμεν). Old verb, to plan beforehand (προ-) as in Romans 12:17; 1 Timothy 5:8.BUT ALSO IN THE SIGHT OF MEN (αλλα κα ενωπιον ανθρωπων). It is not enough for one's financial accounts to be honourable (καλα) as God sees them, but they should be so kept that men can understand... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR BROTHER (τον αδελφον ημων). Not Paul's personal brother, but a brother in Christ, one whom Paul had tested and was willing to trust. It may have been Tychicus or Apollos, but we do not know.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOUT TITUS (υπερ Τιτου). There is no verb expressed. Supply "inquire." He endorses Titus up to the hilt. He is "my partner" (κοινωνος εμος) and "fellow-worker" (συνεργος).MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES (αποστολο εκκλησιων). Apostles in the general sense of "sent ones" (from αποστελλω, to send) by... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE (την ενδειξιν της αγαπης υμων). There is a word here for pastors and deacons who try to protect the churches from the denominational representatives of kingdom causes.IN THE FACE OF THE CHURCHES (εις προσωπον των εκκλησιων). A great host is pictured as watching how the Co... [ Continue Reading ]