out so as to be known by yourselves. This, however, would be more naturally expressed by cv vfXLv or iv eavrot?, anio7ig yourselves. Besides, the words " before God," as involving an appeal to the divine omniscience, are more in place if he is speaking of his own zeal, than if speaking of theirs. The im- mediate context, it must be admitted, is in favour of this lat- ter reading. The apostle had been describing the effects of his letter, dwelhng w^ith great satisfaction on the feelings towards himself which that letter had called forth. It was natural for him therefore to say that his object in writing was to bring out this manifestation, and thus reveal themselves to themselves as wxll as to him. With this also agrees what he says in 4, 9, " To this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things." Still on the whole the common text gives the better sense. In either case the words Trpos v'/x.as depend on ^avcpco^^i/at, " might be manifest toioards (or among) you." So also do the words Ivdi-mov rov ^eoO, " that our care for you might be manifested before God^^^ i. e. in his sight, as what he could approve of. In our version these words are connected with our care. " Our care for you in the sight of God." The same sense is expressed by the Vulgate ; " ad manifestandam soUicitudinem nostram, quae habemus pro vobis coram Deo." According to the Greek the natural construction is, " To manifest in the sight of God our care for you."
13. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort : yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
Tlierefore^ i, e. because his letter had led them to repent- ance. TFe loere comforted in your comfort., {l-m. rrj TrapaKkrjcr^L v/xCjv^) on account of your consolation. This, however, does not suit the state of the case. Paul was comforted by their repentance, not by their consolation. To meet this difficulty some make v/xcov the genitive of the source ; so that the sense would be, ' We were comforted with the consolation derived from you.' The great majority of modern editors read rifidv instead of v/xajj/, and put a stop after irapaKiKXrjfxeSa. Tiiis gives a far better sense. ' Therefore we have been comforted : and besides (eVt ) our consolation, we have rejoiced exceeding- ly in the joy of Titus.' Paul had not only the consolation de-