for the gift (bestowed) upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Intercessory prayer has great power, otherwise Paul would not so often solicit it on his own behalf, and enjoin the duty on his readers. His confidence in his safety for the fu- ture was not founded simply on the experience of God's past mercy, but also on the prayers of Christians in his behalf. God will yet deliver me, he says, you also helping together hy prayer. That is, provided you join your prayers with those of others for my safety. Helping together probably refers to their co-operation in the work of intercession with other churches, rather than with the apostle himself. The design of God in thus uniting his peoi:)le in praying for each other when in affliction or danger, is that the deliverance may be matter of common gratulation and praise. Thus all hearts are drawn out to God and Christian fellowship is promoted. This is expressed in the latter part of this verse ; that^ i. e. in order that the gift being hestoiced on us hy rneans of many (8ta TToWZiv) thanks may he rendered hy m^any (Ik ttoWCjv). In the Greek it is ck ttoAAwv TrpocrcoTrajv, which most commenta- tors render as our translators do, hy many persons. The word Trpoo-wTTov, however, always elsewhere in the New Testa- ment means face or presence^ which sense many retain here. ' That thanks may be rendered from many (upturned) faces.' According to the interpretation given above, the words 8ta iroXXiov are connected with to xap^cr/xa, " the favour to us by means of many;" and ck ttoXAojv Trpoo-wTrwv with cuxapco-^T-/, 'thanks maybe rendered by many persons (or faces).' This gives a good sense, and is perhaps better suited to the force of the prepositions €< and 8ia. It is more correct to say that the ' favour was {Std) by means of many,' i. e. by means of their prayer, than that it ' was (cV) out of or %,' as express- ing the efficient cause. The order of the clauses, however, favours the connection adopted by our translators. ' The fa- vour was by many persons, and the thanks to be rendered by means of many.' This construction of the sentence is also sanctioned by the majority of commentators.
77ie apfOstWs defence agai^ist the charge of inconstancy Vs. 12-24.
Paul had informed the Corinthians that it was his purpose