Bible Commentaries

Folly

As my boasting may seem to you. Ironically spoken of that legitimate self-vindication demanded by the circumstances. Rev., foolishness.

Bear with me ( ἀνέχεσθε )

Some render as indicative: ye do bear with me.

I am jealous ( ζηλῶ )

The translation is correct. The word is appropriate to the image which follows, in which Paul represents himself as the marriage-friend who has betrothed the bride to the bridegroom, and consequently shares the bridegroom's jealousy of his bride (see on John 3:29). Compare the Old-Testament passages in which God is represented as the spouse of His people: Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:8; Hosea 2:18, Hosea 2:19. For the different senses of the word, see on envying, James 3:14. Theodoret's comment on the passage is: “I was your wooer for your husband, and the mediator of your marriage; through me you received the bridegroom's gifts; wherefore I am now affected with jealousy.”

I have espoused ( ἡρμοσάμην )

Only here in the New Testament. Lit., have fitted together. Used in the classics of carpenter's or joiner's work; of arranging music, tuning instruments, and fitting clothes or armor. As here, of betrothing or taking to wife. The Septuagint usage is substantially the same.

Present

Compare Ephesians 5:27.

The serpent

Paul's only allusion to the story of the serpent in Eden.

Eve

In accordance with the representation of the Church as the bride.

Simplicity that is in Christ

Rev. adds, and the purity, following Westcott and Hort's text. Simplicity, single-hearted loyalty. In Christ; better, as Rev., towards ( εἰς ).

Another Jesus - another Spirit ( ἄλλον - ἕτερον )

Rev., another Jesus, a different Spirit. See on Matthew 6:24. Another denies the identity; a different denies the similarity of nature. It is the difference of “individuality and kind ” (Alford). See on Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:7.

Ye might well bear ( καλῶς ἠνείχεσθε )

Following the reading which makes the verb in the imperfect tense, putting the matter as a supposed case. The Rev. follows the reading ἀνεχέσθε , present tense, and puts it as a fact: ye do well to bear. Lit., ye endure them finely. The expression is ironical. You gladly endure these false teachers, why do you not endure me?

Rude ( ἰδίωτης )

See on 1 Corinthians 14:16.

Have been made manifest ( φανερωθέντες )

The correct reading is φανερώσαντες , active voice, we have made it manifest.

Abasing myself

By working at his trade.

Preached the Gospel - freely ( δωρεὰν )

Gratuitously. Rev., for nought, is not an improvement, but is quite as ambiguous as freely. Without charge would be better. Paul's very self-denial in this matter had been construed to his injury by his opponents, as indicating his want of confidence in the Corinthian Church, and his making gain for himself under the guise of disinterestedness. It was also urged that a real apostle would not thus relinquish his right to claim subsistence from the Church. Hence his question, Did I commit a sin, etc.?

I robbed ( ἐσύλησα )

Only here in the New Testament, though it appears in the verb ἱεροσυλέω tocommit sacrilege, Romans 2:22, and in ἱεροσύλοι robbersof churches, Acts 19:37. Originally to strip off, as arms from a slain foe, and thence, generally, to rob, plunder, with the accompanying notion of violence. Paul thus strongly expresses the fact that he had accepted from other churches more than their share, that he might not draw on the Corinthians.

Wages ( ὀψώνιον )

See on Romans 6:23.

I was chargeable ( κατενάρκησα )

Only in this epistle. From νάρκη numbnessdeadness; also a torpedo or gymnotus which benumbs whatever touches it. Compare Homer: “His hand grew stiff at the wrist” (“Iliad,” viii., 328). Meno says to Socrates: “You seem to me both in your appearance and in your power over others, to be very like the flat torpedo-fish ( νάρκῃ ), who torpifies ( ναρκᾶν ποιεῖ ) those who come near him with the touch, as you have now torpified ( ναρκᾶν ) me, I think” (Plato, “Meno,” 80). The compound verb used here occurs in Hippocrates in the sense of growing quite stiff. The simple verb occurs in the Sept., Genesis 32:25, Genesis 32:32, of Jacob's thigh, which was put out of joint and shrank. Compare Job 33:19. According to the etymology of the word, Paul would say that he did not benumb the Corinthians by his demand for pecuniary aid. Rev., rather mildly, I was not a burden.

No man shall stop me of this boasting ( ἡ καύχησις αὕτη οὐ φραγήσεται εἰς ἐμὲ )

Lit., this boasting shall not be blocked up as regards me. The boasting is that of preaching gratuitously. For the verb, compare Romans 3:19; Hebrews 11:33.

I will do

Will continue to do; refuse to receive pay.

Cut off ( ἐκκόψω )

Lit., cut out. See on Luke 13:7, and compare Romans 11:24.

Occasion ( τὴν ἀφορμὴν )

The force of the article must be carefully noted; the particular occasion of fault-finding which concerned his pecuniary relations with the Corinthians. His refusal to receive pay cut out from among other causes of complaint this one.

They may be found even as we

I can find no satisfactory explanation of this clause, and will not attempt to add to the hopeless muddle of the commentators. It is evident that the false teachers had sought occasion for glorifying themselves in comparison with Paul; that they consequently caught eagerly at every pretext for disparaging him; and that this disparagement was in some way connected with Paul's refusal to receive compensation from the Corinthians. Further, that Paul's way of counteracting their attempts was by persisting in this refusal. The intimation in the last clause is apparently to the effect that by this course he will not only remove the occasion for attack, but that the result will show both his opponents and himself in their true light. Compare find and be found, 2 Corinthians 12:20.

Transforming themselves ( μετασχηματιζόμενοι )

Rev., better, fashioning, thus preserving the distinctive force of σχῆμα outwardfashion, which forms part of the compound verb. See on Matthew 17:2; see on 1 Corinthians 4:6.

Satan

See on Luke 10:18. The rabbinical writings represent the devil rather as the enemy of man than of God or of good. They use none of the New-Testament names for the Evil One except Satan, and contain no mention of a kingdom of Satan. Edersheim says: “Instead of the personified principle of evil to which there is response in us - we have only a clumsy and often a stupid hater.” It is also to be observed that in the Septuagint the usage is limited to the enemy of man, as is that of διάβολος devilby which Satan is translated. See 1 Chronicles 21:1; Esther 7:4; Esther 8:1; Psalm 108:1-13:(109) Psalm 108:5; Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1, Zechariah 3:2.

Confidence ( ὑποστάσει )

See on 2 Corinthians 9:4.

Bringeth you into bondage ( καταδουλοῖ )

Only here and Galatians 2:4, where it is used of the efforts of the Jewish party to bring the christian Church under the ceremonial law. Compare Galatians 5:1.

Devour ( κατεσθίει )

Your property. Compare Matthew 23:14.

Take ( λαμβάνει )

A.V. supplies of you, evidently with reference to property, which has already been touched upon in devour. The meaning is to take as a prey, as Luke 5:5.

Exalteth himself ( ἐπαίρεται )

As 2 Corinthians 10:5. It is noticeable that these are the only two instances out of nineteen in the New Testament where the word is used figuratively.

Smite you on the face

The climax of insult. Compare Matthew 5:39; Luke 22:64; Acts 23:2. Also the injunction to a bishop not to be a striker, 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7. Stanley notes the decree of the Council of Braga, a.d. 675, that no bishop, at his will and pleasure, shall strike his clergy.

As concerning reproach ( κατὰ ἀτιμίαν )

Better, Rev., by way of disparagement. Intensely ironical. Yes, you have borne with these enslavers and devourers and smiters. I could never ask you to extend such toleration to me. I speak as one without position or authority, having shown myself weak as you know.

I speak foolishly ( ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ )

Rev., in foolishness. My pretensions are equal to theirs, but, of course, it is folly to advance them, and they amount to nothing. Yet, even speaking in this foolish way, I possess every qualification on which they plume themselves.

Hebrews

See on Acts 6:1.

Israelites

See on Acts 3:12, and compare Philemon 3:5, and the phrase Israel of God, Galatians 6:16, and an Israelite indeed, John 1:48.

Seed of Abraham

Compare Matthew 3:9; John 8:33; Romans 9:7; Romans 11:1; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 2:16. The three names are arranged climactically, Hebrews pointing to the nationality; Israelites to the special relation to God's covenant; seed of Abraham to the messianic privilege. Compare with the whole, Philemon 3:4, Philemon 3:5.

Ministers of Christ

Referring to his opponents' claim to have a closer connection with Christ than he had. See the note on 1 Corinthians 1:12.

As a fool ( παραφρονῶν )

Only here in the New Testament. See the kindred παραφρονία madness 2 Peter 2:16. Lit., being beside myself Rev., as one beside myself. This expression is stronger than that in 2 Corinthians 11:21, because the statement which it characterizes is stronger. Up to this point Paul has been asserting equality with the other teachers. Now he asserts superiority “I more;” and ironically characterizes this statement from their stand-point as madness.

More abundant ( περισσοτέρως )

Lit., more abundantly, as Rev.

Stripes above measure ( ὑπερβαλλόντως )

This peculiar form of suffering is emphasized by details. He specifies three Roman scourgings, and five at the hands of the Jews. Of the former, only one is recorded, that at Philippi (Acts 16:22, Acts 16:23. See on Acts 22:25), and none of the latter. The Jewish scourge consisted of two thongs made of calf's or ass's skin, passing through a hole in a handle. Thirteen blows were inflicted on the breast, thirteen on the right, and thirteen on the left shoulder. The law in Deuteronomy 25:3permitted forty blows, but only thirty-nine were given, in order to avoid a possible miscount. During the punishment the chief judge read aloud Deuteronomy 28:58, Deuteronomy 28:59; Deuteronomy 29:9; Acts href="/desk/?q=ac+16:37&sr=1">Prisons

At Philippi, and other places not recorded.

Deaths

Perils of death, as at Damascus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Thessalonica, Beroea.

Beaten with rods

Roman scourgings.

Stoned

At Lystra, Acts 14:19.

Thrice I suffered shipwreck

The shipwreck at Malta, being later, is, of course, not referred to; so that no one of these three is on record.

A night and a day ( νυχθήμερον )

A compound term occurring only here in the New Testament, and rarely in later Greek.

Have I been in the deep ( ἐν τῷ βυθῷ πεποίηκα )

Lit., I have made (spent) a night and a day in the deep. For a similar use of ποιέω tomake, see Acts 15:33; Acts 18:23; Acts 20:3; James 4:13. βυθός bottomor depth occurs only here. Of the event itself there is no record.

Perils of rivers

From the sudden swelling of mountain streams or flooding of dry water-courses. “The rivers of Asia Minor, like all the rivers in the Levant, are liable to violent and sudden changes, and no district in Asia Minor is more singularly characterized by its water-floods than the mountainous tract of Pisidia, where rivers burst out at the bases of huge cliffs, or dash down wildly through narrow ravines” (Conybeare and Howson, i., ch. 6).

Robbers

The tribes inhabiting the mountains between the table-land of Asia Minor and the coast were notorious for robbery. Paul may have encountered such on his journey to the Pisidian Antioch, Acts 13:14.

Mine own countrymen

Conspiracies of the Jews at Damascus, Lystra, Thessalonica, Beroea, etc.

The Gentiles

As at Philippi and Ephesus.

False brethren

Judaizing Christians, as Galatians 2:4.

Watchings

See on 2 Corinthians 6:5.

Those things that are without ( τῶν παρεκτὸς )

Some explain, external calamities; others, the things which are left out in the enumeration, as Matthew 5:32; Acts 26:29. Better, the latter, so that the literal meaning is, apart from the things which are beside and outside my enumeration: or, as Alford, not to mention those which are beside these. The word does not occur in classical Greek, and no instance of its usage in the former sense occurs in the New Testament or in the Septuagint. See Rev., margin.

That which cometh upon me ( ἐπισύστασις )

Lit., a gathering together against. Both here and Acts 24:12, the best texts read ἐπίστασις onsetRev., that which presseth upon me. “The crowd of cares.”

Burn

With sorrow over the stumbling or with indignation over the cause. This and 1 Corinthians 7:9are the only instances in which the word is used figuratively.

The things which concern mine infirmities ( τὰ τῆς ἀσθενείας μοῦ )

He will be attested as a true apostle by the sufferings which show his weakness, which make him contemptible in his adversaries' eyes, and not by the strength of which his opponents boast.

Blessed, etc.

See on Romans 9:5, and compare Romans 1:25.

The governor ( ἐθνάρχης )

Only here in the New Testament. A governor ruling in the name of a king: a prefect.

Aretas

Or Hareth, the father-in-law of Herod Antipas. Hs capital was the rock-city of Petra, the metropolis of Arabia Petraea. Herod's unfaithfulness to his daughter brought on a quarrel, in which Herod's army was defeated, to the great delight of the Jews. The further prosecution of the war by Roman troops was arrested by the death of Tiberius, and it is supposed that Caligula assigned Damascus as a free gift to Aretas.

Kept with a garrison ( ἐφρούρει )

Imperfect tense, was maintaining a constant watch. Compare Acts 9:24: They watched the gates day and night.

To apprehend ( πιάσαι )

See on Acts 3:7.

Through a window ( διὰ θυρίδος )

Only here and Acts 20:9. Diminutive of θύρα adoor. The same expression is used in Sept., Joshua 2:15, of the escape of the spies from Jericho, and 1 Samuel 19:12, of David's escape from Saul by the aid of Michal.

Basket ( σαργάνῃ )

Lit., braided work; a rope-basket or hamper. Luke, in his narrative of the incident, uses σπυρίς , for which see on Matthew 14:20.