Bible Commentaries

Superfluous (περισσον — perisson). All the same he does write. “The writing” (το γραπειν — to graphein) ought to be superfluous.

I glory (καυχωμαι — kauchōmai). Present middle indicative. I still am glorying, in spite of the poor performance of the Corinthians.

Hath been prepared (παρεσκευασται — pareskeuastai). Perfect passive indicative of παρασκευαζω — paraskeuazō to make ready, “stands prepared.”

Stirred up (ηρετισε — ērethise). First aorist active indicative of ερετιζω — erethizō (from ερετω — erethō to excite), to excite in a good sense here, in a bad sense in Colossians 3:21, the only N.T. examples.

Very many of them (τους πλειονας — tous pleionas). The more, the majority.

I sent (επεμπσα — epempsa). Not literary plural with this epistolary aorist as in 18,22.

That ye may be prepared (ινα παρεσκευασμενοι ητε — hina pareskeuasmenoi ēte). Perfect passive subjunctive in the final clause, “that ye may really be prepared,” “as I said” (κατως ελεγον — kathōs elegon) and not just say that ye are prepared. Paul‘s very syntax tells against them.

If there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared (εαν ελτωσιν συν εμοι Μακεδονες και ευρωσιν υμας απαρασκευαστους — ean elthōsin sun emoi Makedones kai heurōsin humas aparaskeuastous). Condition of third class (undetermined, but stated as a lively possibility) with εαν — ean and the second aorist active subjunctive (ελτωσιν ευρωσιν — elthōsinΑπαρασκευαστος — heurōsin), a bold and daring challenge. παρασκευαζω — Aparaskeuastos is a late and rare verbal adjective from α — paraskeuazō with μη πως καταισχυντωμεν ημεις — a privative, only here in the N.T.

Lest by any means we should be put to shame (καταισχυνω — mē pōs kataischunthōmen hēmeis). Negative purpose with first aorist passive subjunctive of ινα μη λεγωμεν υμεις — kataischunō (see note on 2 Corinthians 7:14) in the literary plural.

That we say not, ye (υποστασει — hina mē legōmen humeis). A delicate syntactical turn for what he really has in mind. He does wish that they become ashamed of not paying their pledges.

Confidence (υπιστημι — hupostasei). This word, common from Aristotle on, comes from huphistēmi to place under. It always has the notion of substratum or foundation as here; 2 Corinthians 11:17; Hebrews 1:3. The papyri give numerous examples (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) of the word for “property” in various aspects. So in Hebrews 11:1 “faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.” In the lxx it represents fifteen different Hebrew words.

I thought (εγησαμην — hegēsamēn). Epistolary aorist again. See note on Philemon 2:25 for the expression here.

Go before (προελτωσιν — proelthōsin). Second aorist active of προερχομαι — proerchomai Go to you before I come.

Make up beforehand (προκαταρτισωσι — prokatartisōsi). Late and rare double compound verb προκαταρτιζω — prokatartizō (in Hippocrates). Only here in N.T. See καταρτιζω — katartizō in 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Your afore-promised bounty (την προεπηγγελμενην ευλογιαν υμων — tēn proepēggelmenēn eulogian humōn). “Blessing” (ευλογια — eulogia) literally, but applied to good deeds also as well as good words (Genesis 33:11). Note third use of “pro” before. He literally rubs it in that the pledge was overdue.

That the same might be ready (ταυτην ετοιμην ειναι — tautēn hetoimēn einai). Here the infinitive alone (ειναι — einai) is used to express purpose without ωστε — hōste or εις το — eis to or προς το — pros to with the accusative of general reference (ταυτην — tautēn). The feminine form ετοιμην — hetoimēn is regular (1 Peter 1:5) though ετοιμος — hetoimos also occurs with the feminine like the masculine (Matthew 25:10).

And not of extortion (και μη ως πλεονεχιαν — kai mē hōs pleonexian). “And not as covetousness.” Some offerings exhibit covetousness on the part of the giver by their very niggardliness.

Sparingly (πειδομενως — pheidomenōs). Late and rare adverb made from the present middle participle πειδομενος — pheidomenos from πειδομαι — pheidomai to spare. It occurs in Plutarch (Alex. 25).

He hath purposed (προηιρηται — proēirētai). Perfect middle indicative of προαιρεομαι — proaireomai to choose beforehand, old verb, here only in N.T. Permanent purpose also.

Not grudgingly (μη εκ λυπης — mē ek lupēs). The use of μη — mē rather than ου — ou shows that the imperative ποιειτω — poieitō (do) or διδοτω — didotō (give) is to be supplied. Not give as out of sorrow.

Or of necessity (η εχ αναγκης — ē ex anagkēs). As if it were like pulling eye-teeth.

For God loveth a cheerful giver (ιλαρον γαρ δοτην αγαπαι ο τεος — hilaron gar dotēn agapāi ho theos). Our word “hilarious” comes from ιλαρον — hilaron which is from ιλαος — hilaos (propitious), an old and common adjective, only here in N.T.

Is able (δυνατει — dunatei). Late verb, not found except here; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 14:4. So far a Pauline word made from δυνατος — dunatos able.

All sufficiency (πασαν αυταρκειαν — pāsan autarkeian). Old word from αυταρκης — autarkēs (Philemon 4:11), common word, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 6:6). The use of this word shows Paul‘s acquaintance with Stoicism. Paul takes this word of Greek philosophy and applies it to the Christian view of life as independent of circumstances. But he does not accept the view of the Cynics in the avoidance of society. Note threefold use of “all” here (εν παντι παντοτε πασαν — en pantipantotepāsan in everything, always, all sufficiency).

As it is written (κατως γεγραπται — kathōs gegraptai). Psalm 92:3, Psalm 92:9. Picture of the beneficent man.

He hath scattered abroad (εσκορπισεν — eskorpisen). First aorist active indicative of σκορπιζω — skorpizō to scatter, Koiné{[28928]}š verb for σκεδαννυμι — skedannumi of the Attic. Probably akin to σκορπιος — skorpios (scorpion) from root σκαρπ — skarp to cut asunder. See note on Matthew 12:30. It is like sowing seed.

To the poor (tois penēsin). Old word from penamai to work for one‘s living. Latin penuria and Greek τοις πενησιν — peinaō to be hungry, are kin to it. Only N.T. instance and to be distinguished from πεναμαι — ptōchos beggar, abjectly poor.

Supplieth (επιχορηγων — epichorēgōn). Late Koiné{[28928]}š compound verb from επι — epi and χορηγεω — chorēgeō just below (1 Peter 4:11). Χορηγος — Chorēgos is old word for leader of a chorus (χοροσ ηγεομαι — chorosεπιχορηγεω — hēgeomai) or chorus-leader. The verb means to furnish a chorus at one‘s own expense, then to supply in general. N.T. examples of πλητυνει — epichorēgeō are 2 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 3:15; Colossians 2:19; 2 Peter 1:5.

Shall multiply (πλητυνω — plēthunei). Future active indicative of πλητυς — plēthunō old verb from γενηματα — plēthus fulness. Cf. Acts 6:1.

Fruits (γινομαι — genēmata). Correct reading (from γεννηματα — ginomai to become) and not γενναω — gennēmata (from γενηματα — gennaō to beget). This spelling is supported by lxx where Thackeray shows that γεννηματα — genēmata in lxx refers to vegetables and gennēmata to animals. The papyri support this distinction (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary).

Enriched (πλουτιζομενοι — ploutizomenoi). Present passive participle of πλουτιζω — ploutizō for which see note on 1 Corinthians 1:5; note on 2 Corinthians 6:10; only other N.T. examples.

Liberality (απλοτητα — haplotēta). See note on 2 Corinthians 8:2. Anacoluthon with nominative participle too far from περισσευητε — perisseuēte for agreement. More like the independent use of the participle.

Service (λειτουργιας — leitourgias). Old word from λεως — leōs (people, λαος — laos), λειτος — leitos like δημοσιος — dēmosios public, and εργον — ergon work. So public service either in worship to God (Luke 1:23) or benefaction to others (2 Corinthians 9:12; Philemon 2:30). Our word liturgy is this word.

Filleth up (εστιν προσαναπληρουσα — estin prosanaplērousa). Present active periphrastic indicative of double compound verb προσαναπληροω — prosanaplēroō Koiné{[28928]}š word, here and 2 Corinthians 11:9 only in N.T., to fill up by adding to. The Corinthians simply added to the total from others.

Unto God (τωι τεωι — tōi theōi). Dative case and with a certain suddenness as at close of 2 Corinthians 11:11, really a parenthesis between in the somewhat tangled sentence.

Seeing that they glorify God (δοχαζοντες τον τεον — doxazontes ton theon). Anacoluthon again. The nominative participle used independently like πλουτιζομενοι — ploutizomenoi in 2 Corinthians 9:11.

Obedience (υποταγηι — hupotagēi). Late and rare word from υποτασσω — hupotassō to subject, middle to obey. Only in Paul in N.T.

Of your confession (της ομολογιας υμων — tēs homologias humōn). Old word from ομολογεω — homologeō (ομολογοσ ομου λεγω — homologosαπλοτητι της κοινωνιας — homouκοινωνια — legō), to say together. It is either to profess (Latin profiteor, to declare openly) or to confess (Latin confiteor, to declare fully, to say the same thing as another). Both confess and profess are used to translate the verb and each idea is present in the substantive. Only the context can decide. Actions speak louder than words. The brethren in Jerusalem will know by this collection that Gentiles make as good Christians as Jews.

For the liberality of your contribution (haplotēti tēs Koinéōnias). This is the point that matters just now. Paul drives it home. On this use of Koinéōnia see 2 Corinthians 8:4.

While they themselves long after you (αυτων επιποτουντων — autōn epipothountōn). Genitive absolute of present active participle of επιποτεω — epipotheō (2 Corinthians 5:2).

In you (επ υμιν — Ephesians' humin). Upon you.

Thanks be to God (χαρις τωι τεωι — charis tōi theōi). Third time (2 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 9:12, 2 Corinthians 9:15).

For his unspeakable gift (επι τηι ανεκδιηγητωι αυτου δωρεαι — epi tēi anekdiēgētōi autou dōreāi). One of Paul‘s gems flashed out after the somewhat tangled sentence (2 Corinthians 9:10-14) like a gleam of light that clears the air. Words fail Paul to describe the gift of Christ to and for us. He may have coined this word as it is not found elsewhere except in ecclesiastical writers save as a variant (B L) for αδιηγητον — adiēgēton in Aristeas 99 (ταυμασμον ανεκδιηγητον — thaumasmon anekdiēgēton “wonder beyond description,” Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). See similar word in Romans 11:33 (ανεχιχνιαστα — anexichniasta unsearchable) and Ephesians 3:8.