Came to us in Asia. Rev., better, befell. The nature of the trouble is uncertain. The following words seem to indicate inward distress rather than trouble from without, such as he experienced at Ephesus.
*See Farrar’s “ Paul,” ii., ch. xxxiii., and Stanley’s Introduction to the Epistle.
292, WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. I.
Were pressed out of measure (ad tmepBornv €Baprdy- pev). Rev., better, were weighed down, thus giving the ety- mological force of the verb, from Bdpos burden. For out of measure, Rev., exceedingly ; see on 1 Cor. ii. 1.
We despaired (éEazropnIfjvar). Only here and ch. iv. 8. From é& out and out, and aropéw to be without a way of escape. See on did many things, Mark vi. 20.
9. Sentence of death (améxpiyya tod Javatov). *~Amoxpipwa occurs only here in the New Testament, and not in classical Greek nor in the Septuagint. In the latter the kindred words have, almost uniformly, the meaning of answer. Josephus used it of a response of the Roman senate. Sentence, which occurs in some inscriptions, if a legitimate rendering at all, is a roundabout one, derived from a classical use of the verb dzro- kpivw to reject on inquiry, decide. Rev., therefore, correctly, answer of death. The sense is well given by Stanley: “ When I have asked myself what would be the issue of this struggle, the answer has been, ‘ death.’ ”
Doth deliver (6verav). The correct reading is pucetas well deliver, Rev.
11. Persons (apocéreav). Face is the usual rendering of the word in the New Testament. Even when rendered person the usage is Hebraistic for face. See on Jas. ii. 1. There is no reason for abandoning that sense here. The expression is pictorial; that thanksgiving may be given from many faces ; the cheerful countenances being an offering of thanks to God.
12. Godly sincerity (eiduxpwela tod Ocod). Lit., sincerity of God, as Rev. See on 2 Pet. iii. 1.
We have had our conversation (aveotpadnuev). Rev., behaved ourselves. See on 1 Pet. i. 15.
13. Read — acknowledge (avaywaoxere — érruywooxere). The word-play cannot be reproduced in English.
14. In part (azo pépouvs). Referring to the partial under- standing of his character and motives by the Corinthians.
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15. Before (mpdrepov). Rather, first of all. Instead of going first to the Macedonians, as he afterward decided. See 1 Cor. xvi. 5.
Second benefit (Sevrépay yap). Benefit is, literally, grace. Not a mere pleasurable experience through Paul’s visit, but a divine bestowal of grace. Compare Rom.i.11. Second refers to his original plan to visit Corinth twice, on his way to Mace- donia and on his return.
17. Did I use lightness (79 édadpia eypnoaunr). Rev., shew jickleness. °ENadpla lightness, only here in the New Test- ament. Compare éAadpds light, Matt. xi. 80; 2 Cor. iv. 17. His change of plan had given rise to the charge of fickleness.
The yea, yea, and the nay, nay. That I should say “yes” at one time and “no” at another; promising to come and breaking my promise.
18. As God is true (vctds 6 Ocds). Not to be taken as a formula of swearing. He means that God will answer for him against the charge of fickleness by the power and blessing (benefit) which will attend his presence. Hence the meaning is: faithful 7s God (in this) that our speech, ete.
19. Was not (ov« éyévero). Rather, did not prove to be, in the result.
In Him was yea (vai év aio yéyovev). Lit., yea has come to pass in Him. Ue has shown Himself absolutely the truth. Compare John xiv. 6; Apoc. iii. 7, 14.
20. All (6ca). Wrong. As many as.
Are yea, etc. Making this the predicate of promises, which is wrong. The meaning is that how many soever are God’s promises, in Christ is the incarnate answer, “yea!” to the question, ‘Will they be fulfilled?” Hence Rev., correctly: How many soever be the promises of God, in Him is the yea.