2 Corinthians 2 · Robertson's Word Pictures
1That I would not come again to you with sorrow (to me palin en lupe pros umas elthein). Articular second aorist active infinitive with negative me in apposition with touto (this) preceding. What does Paul mean by "again" (palin)? Had he paid another visit besides that described in Ac 18 which was in sorrow (en lupe)? Or does he mean that having had one joyful visit (that in Ac 18 ) he does not wish the second one to be in sorrow? Either interpretation is possible as the Greek stands and scholars disagree. So in 12:14 "The third time I am ready to come" may refer to the proposed second visit (1:15f. ) and the present plan (a third). And so as to 13:1. There is absolutely no way to tell clearly whether Paul had already made a second visit. If he had done so, it is a bit odd that he did not plainly say so in 1:15f. when he is apologizing for not having made the proposed visit ("a second benefit").
2Who then? (ka tis?). For this use of ka see on Mr 10:26; Joh 9:36 . The ka accepts the condition (first class ei--lupo) and shows the paradox that follows. Lupeo is old word from lupe (sorrow) in causative sense, to make sorry.
Maketh glad (euphrainon). Present active participle of old word from eu, well, and phren, mind, to make joyful, causative idea like lupeo.
3I wrote this very thing (egrapsa touto auto). Is this (and egrapsa in verses 4,9,12 ) the epistolary aorist referring to the present letter? In itself that is possible as the epistolary aorist does occur in the N.T. as in 8:18; 9:3 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 854f.). If not epistolary aorist as seems improbable from the context and from 7:8-12, to what Epistle does he refer? To 1Co 5 or to a lost letter? It is possible, of course, that, when Paul decided not to come to Corinth, he sent a letter. The language that follows in verses 3,4; 7:8-12 can hardly apply to I Corinthians.
Should have sorrow (lupen scho). Second aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of echo, should get sorrow, after ina me negative final particles.
From them of whom (aph' on). Antecedent omitted, apo touton aph' on (from those from whom).
I ought (ede me). Imperfect for unrealized present obligation as often and like English.
Having confidence (pepoithos). Second perfect active participle of peitho ( 1:9).
4Anguish (sunoches). Ablative case after ek (out of). Old word from sunecho, to hold together. So contraction of heart (Cicero, contractio animi), a spiritual angina pectoris. In N.T. only here and Lu 21:25 .
With many tears (dia pollon dakruon). He dictated that letter "through tears" (accompanied by tears). Paul was a man of heart. He writes to the Philippians with weeping (klaion) over the enemies of the Cross of Christ (Php 3:18 ). He twice mentions his tears in his speech at Miletus (Ac 20:19-31 ).
But that ye might know the love (alla ten agapen ina gnote). Proleptic position of agapen and ingressive second aorist active subjunctive gnote, come to know.
5If any (e tis). Scholars disagree whether Paul refers to 1Co 5:1 , where he also employs tis, toioutos, and Satanas as here, or to the ringleader of the opposition to him. Either view is possible. In both cases Paul shows delicacy of feeling by not mentioning the name.
But in part (alla apo merous). "But to some extent to you all." The whole Corinthian Church has been injured in part by this man's wrongdoing. There is a parenthesis ( that I press not too heavily , ina me epibaro) that interrupts the flow of ideas. Epibareo, to put a burden on (epi, baros), is a late word, only in Paul in N.T. (here and 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8 ). He does not wish to give pain by too severe language.
6Punishment (epitimia). Late word for old Greek to epitimion (so papyri), from epitimao, to show honour to, to award, to adjudge penalty. Only here in N.T.
By the many (upo ton pleionon). By the more, the majority. If Paul refers to the case in 1Co 5 , they had taken his advice and expelled the offender.
7So that on the contrary (oste tounantion). The natural result expressed by oste and the infinitive. Tounantion is by crasis for to enantion and accusative of general reference.
Rather (mallon). Absent in some MSS.
Lest by any means (me pos). Negative purpose.
Swallowed up (katapothe). First aorist passive subjunctive of katapino, to drink down (1Co 15:54 ).
With his overmuch sorrow (te perissotera lupe). Instrumental case, "by the more abundant sorrow" (comparative of adjective perissos).
8To confirm (kurosa). First aorist active infinitive of old verb kuroo, to make valid, to ratify, from kuros (head, authority). In N.T. only here and Ga 3:15 .
9That I might know the proof of you (ina gno ten dokimen umon). Ingressive second aorist active subjunctive, come to know. Dokime is proof by testing. Late word from dokimos and is in Dioscorides, medical writer in reign of Hadrian. Earliest use in Paul and only in him in N.T. (2Co 2:9; 8:2; 9:13; 13:3; Ro 5:4; Php 2:22 ).
Obedient (upekoo). Old word from upakouo, to give ear. In N.T. only in Paul (2Co 2:9; Php 2:8; Ac 7:39 ).
10In the person of Christ (en prosopo Christou). More exactly, "in the presence of Christ," before Christ, in the face of Christ. Cf. enopion tou theou ( 4:2) in the eye of God, enopion Kuriou ( 8:21).
11That no advantage may be gained over us (ina me pleonektethomen). First aorist passive subjunctive after ina me (negative purpose) of pleonekteo, old verb from pleonektes, a covetous man (1Co 5:10f. ), to take advantage of, to gain, to overreach. In N.T. only in 1Th 4:6; 2Co 2:11; 7:2; 12:17f . "That we may not be overreached by Satan."
His devices (autou ta noemata). Noema from noeo to use the nous is old word, especially for evil plans and purposes as here.
12To Troas (eis ten Troiada). Luke does not mention this stop at Troas on the way from Ephesus to Macedonia (Ac 20:1f. ), though he does mention two other visits there (Ac 16:8; 20:6 ).
When a door was opened unto me (thuras mo aneoigmenes). Genitive absolute with second perfect passive participle of anoignum. Paul used this very metaphor in 1Co 16:9 . He will use it again in Col 4:3 . Here was an open door that he could not enter.
13I had no relief (ouk escheka anesin). Perfect active indicative like that in 1:9, vivid dramatic recital, not to be treated as "for" the aorist (Robertson, Grammar, p. 896, 898ff.). He still feels the shadow of that restlessness. Anesis, from aniem, to let up, to hold back, is old word for relaxing or release (Ac 24:34 ).
For my spirit (to pneumat mou). Dative of interest.
Because I found not Titus (to me eurein me Titon). Instrumental case of the articular infinitive with negative me and accusative of general reference me, "by the not finding Titus as to me."
Taking my leave of them (apotaxamenos autois). First aorist middle participle of apotasso, old verb, to set apart, in middle in late Greek to separate oneself, to bid adieu to as in Mr 6:46 .
14But thanks be unto God (to de theo charis). Sudden outburst of gratitude in contrast to the previous dejection in Troas. Surely a new paragraph should begin here. In point of fact Paul makes a long digression from here to 6:10 on the subject of the Glory of the Christian Ministry as Bachmann points out in his Kommentar (p. 124), only he runs it from 2:12-7:1 (Aus der Tiefe in die Hohe, Out of the Depths to the Heights). We can be grateful for this emotional outburst, Paul's rebound of joy on meeting Titus in Macedonia, for it has given the world the finest exposition of all sides of the Christian ministry in existence, one that reveals the wealth of Paul's nature and his mature grasp of the great things in service for Christ. See my The Glory of the Ministry (An Exposition of II Cor. 2:12-6:10).
Always (pantote). The sense of present triumph has blotted out the gloom at Troas.
Leadeth in triumph (thriambeuont). Late common Koine word from thriambos (Latin triumphus, a hymn sung in festal processions to Bacchus). Verbs in -euo (like matheteuo, to make disciples) may be causative, but no example of thriambeuo has been found with this meaning. It is always to lead in triumph, in papyri sometimes to make a show of. Picture here is of Paul as captive in God's triumphal procession.
The savour (ten osmen). In a Roman triumph garlands of flowers scattered sweet odour and incense bearers dispensed perfumes. The knowledge of God is here the aroma which Paul had scattered like an incense bearer.
15A sweet savour of Christ (Christou euodia). Old word from eu, well, and ozo, to smell. In N.T. only here and Php 4:18; Eph 5:2 . In spreading the fragrance of Christ the preacher himself becomes fragrant (Plummer).
In them that are perishing (en tois apollumenois). Even in these if the preacher does his duty.
16From death unto death (ek thanatou eis thanaton). From one evil condition to another. Some people are actually hardened by preaching.
And who is sufficient for these things? (ka pros tauta tis ikanos?). Rhetorical question. In himself no one is. But some one has to preach Christ and Paul proceeds to show that he is sufficient.
For we are not as the many (ou gar esmen os o pollo). A bold thing to say, but necessary and only from God ( 3:6).
17Corrupting (kapeleuontes). Old word from kapelos, a huckster or peddlar, common in all stages of Greek for huckstering or trading. It is curious how hucksters were suspected of corrupting by putting the best fruit on top of the basket. Note Paul's solemn view of his relation to God as a preacher ( from God ek theou,
in the sight of God katenant theou,
in Christ en Christo).
2 Corinthians 3