17. That which was lacking on your part (70 bpuérepov votépnua). Or the (i.e., my) lack of you. The Greek will bear either rendering. Compare Philip. ii. 830; 2 Cor. viii. 14; ix. 12. The latter is preferable. Edwards, somewhat naively says: “I do not see what could be lacking on the part of the Corinthians which Stephanas and his two friends could supply at Ephesus.”
19. Asia. See on Acts ii. 9.
Aquila and Prisca. See on Rom. xvi. 3.
22. Maran-atha. Not to be joined with anathema as one phrase. Rev., properly, a period after anathema. Maran- atha means the Lord cometh.* It was a reminder of the sec- ond coming. The reason for the use of the Aramaic phrase is unknown. It is found in “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles,” ch. x., at the conclusion of the post-communion prayer. Compare Apoc. xxii. 20.
*Field, ‘‘Otium Norvicense,” renders, the Lord is come,
THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.
1. Timothy our brother. Lit., she brother. Compare 1 Cor. i.1. Well known in the Christian brotherhood. ‘“ When Paul writes to Timothy himself he calls him son” (Bengel). Timothy appears, not as amanuensis, nor as joint-author, but as joint-sender of the epistle.
Achaia. See on 1 Cor. xvi. 15.
3. The Father of mercies (6 watnp Tav oiktippav). Equiv- alent to the compassionate Father. Compare the phrases Father of glory, Eph. i. 17; spircis, Heb. xii. 9; lights, Jas. i. 17. Oixtippos mercy, from oixros pity or mercy, the feeling which expresses itself in the exclamation of oh / on seeing another’s misery. The distinction between this and éXeos, according to which oi«rippds signifies the feeling, and édeos the manifesta- tion, cannot be strictly held, since the manifestation is often expressed by oi«ripuds. See Sept., Ps. xxiv. 6; cil. 4; exviil. 77.
All comfort (ardéons wrapaxdycews). The earliest passage in the New Testament where this word comfort or its kindred verb is applied to God. Compare rapd«dntos comforter, advo- cate, of the Holy Spirit, in John xiv. 16, 26, etc. All is better rendered every: the God of every consolation.
4. In all our tribulation—in any trouble (éri wdon 7H Trbper juav—ev don Irdrper). Note the nice use of the art-
Cu. LJ THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 291
icle: all our tribulation, collectively ; any or every trouble, specifically. Jn is literally upon; the trouble forming the ground of the comfort. So in hope, Rom. iv. 1S vo;
We ourselves are comforted. An illustration of the per- sonal character which pervades this epistle. Paul had been oppressed with anxiety concerning the reception of his first epistle by the Corinthian Church, by the delay of tidings, and by his disappointment in meeting Titus. The tidings, when at last they did arrive, aroused his gratitude for the wholesome effect of his rebuke upon the Church, and his indignation at the aggressions of the Judaizing teachers. With these feelings mingled his anxiety to hasten, in the Corinthian Church, the contribution for the poor saints in Judaea. This second letter therefore bears the marks of the high tension of feeling which finds expression in frequent personal allusions, especially to his afflictions.*
5. Sufferings of Christ. Not things suffered for Christ's take, but Christ's own sufferings as they are shared by His dis- ciples. See Matt. xx. 22; Philip. iii. 10; Col. i. 24; 1 Pet. iv. 13. Note the peculiar phrase abownd (qepicceder) in us, by which Christ’s sufferings are represented as overflowing upon His followers. See on Col. i. 24.
6. And whether we be, etc. The MSS. differ in their ar- rangement of this verse. The main points of difference may be seen by comparing the A. V. and Rev. The sense is not affected by the variation.
Is effectual (€vepyouyévns). See on Mark vi. 14; Jas. v. 16. 8. We would not have you ignorant. See on Rom. i. 13.