rwp - 2Corinthians:2:12-3:6

rwp@2Corinthians:2:12 @{To Troas} (\eis tn Triada\). Luke does not mention this stop at Troas on the way from Ephesus to Macedonia (Acts:20:1f.|), though he does mention two other visits there (Acts:16:8; strkjv@20:6|). {When a door was opened unto me} (\thuras moi aneigmens\). Genitive absolute with second perfect passive participle of \anoignumi\. Paul used this very metaphor in strkjv@1Corinthians:16:9|. He will use it again in strkjv@Colossians:4:3|. Here was an open door that he could not enter.

rwp@2Corinthians:2:13 @{I had no relief} (\ouk eschka anesin\). Perfect active indicative like that in strkjv@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 \animi\, to let up, to hold back, is old word for relaxing or release (Acts:24:34|). {For my spirit} (\ti pneumati mou\). Dative of interest. {Because I found not Titus} (\ti m heurein me Titon\). Instrumental case of the articular infinitive with negative \m\ 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 \apotass\, old verb, to set apart, in middle in late Greek to separate oneself, to bid adieu to as in strkjv@Mark:6:46|.

rwp@2Corinthians:2:14 @{But thanks be unto God} (\ti de thei 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 strkjv@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 strkjv@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. strkjv@2:12-6:10_). {Always} (\pantote\). The sense of present triumph has blotted out the gloom at Troas. {Leadeth in triumph} (\thriambeuonti\). Late common _Koin_ word from \thriambos\ (Latin _triumphus_, a hymn sung in festal processions to Bacchus). Verbs in \-eu\ (like \mathteu\, to make disciples) may be causative, but no example of \thriambeu\ 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} (\tn osmn\). 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.

rwp@2Corinthians:2:15 @{A sweet savour of Christ} (\Christou eudia\). Old word from \eu\, well, and \oz\, to smell. In N.T. only here and strkjv@Phillipians:4:18; strkjv@Ephesians: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.

rwp@2Corinthians:2:16 @{From 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?} (\kai pros tauta tis hikanos?\). 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 hs hoi polloi\). A bold thing to say, but necessary and only from God (3:6|).

rwp@2Corinthians:2:17 @{Corrupting} (\kapleuontes\). Old word from \kaplos\, 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} \katenanti theou\, {in Christ} \en Christi\).

rwp@2Corinthians:3:1 @{To commend ourselves?} (\heautous sunistanein?\). Late (_Koin_) form of \sunistmi\, to place one with another, to introduce, to commend. Paul is sensitive over praising himself, though his enemies compelled him to do it. {Epistles of commendation} (\sustatikn epistoln\). Late verbal adjective from \sunistmi\ and often in the papyri and in just this sense. In the genitive case here after \chrizomen\. Such letters were common as seen in the papyri (Deissmann, _Light from the Ancient East_, p. 226). N.T. examples of commending individuals by letters occur in strkjv@Acts:15:25f.; strkjv@18:27| (Apollos), strkjv@1Corinthians:16:10f.| (Timothy); strkjv@Romans:16:1| (Phoebe with the verb \sunistmi\); strkjv@Colossians:4:10| (Mark); strkjv@2Corinthians:8:22f.| (Titus and his companion).

rwp@2Corinthians:3:2 @{Ye are our epistle} (\h epistol hmn humeis este\). Bold turn. Paul was writing in their hearts. {Known and read} (\ginskomen kai anaginskomen\). Play on the word. Literally true. Professing Christians are the Bible that men read and know.

rwp@2Corinthians:3:3 @{An epistle of Christ} (\epistol Christou\). He turns the metaphor round and round. They are Christ's letter to men as well as Paul's. {Not with ink} (\ou melani\). Instrumental case of \melas\, black. Plato uses \to melan\ for ink as here. See also strkjv@2John:1:12; strkjv@3John:1:13|. {Of stone} (\lithinais\). Composed of stone (\lithos\ and ending \-inos\). {Of flesh} (\sarkinais\). "Fleshen" as in strkjv@1Corinthians:3:1; strkjv@Romans:7:14|.

rwp@2Corinthians:3:4 @{Through Christ} (\dia tou Christou\). It is not self-conceit on Paul's part, but through Christ.

rwp@2Corinthians:3:5 @{Of ourselves} (\aph' heautn\). Starting from ourselves (reflexive pronoun). {As from ourselves} (\hs ex hautn\). He says it over again with preposition \ex\ (out of). He has no originating power for such confidence. {Sufficiency} (\hikanots\). Old word, only here in N.T.

rwp@2Corinthians:3:6 @{Who also made us sufficient for such confidence} (\hos kai hikansen hmas\). Late causative verb from \hikanos\ (verse 5|) first aorist active indicative, "who (God) rendered us fit." In N.T. only here and strkjv@Colossians:1:12|. {As ministers of a new covenant} (\diakonous kains diathks\). Predicate accusative with \hikansen\. For \diathk\ see on ¯Matthew:26:28| and for \diakonos\ on ¯Matthew:20:26| and for \kains\ (fresh and effective) on ¯Luke:5:38|. Only God can make us that.