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Jv, in) Our discourse, which we hold in Christ, is given and directed from above. — XaXofyAs v, we speak) We use the tongue ; the power belongs to God.
1. * do we begin?) A just reproof to some of those who had so begun. — icd X/v, again) as was formerly done in the first epistle ; so, again , ch. v. 12. — awitruvsiv, to commend) after the manner of men ; xii. 19, by mentioning transactions that took place elsewhere. — tl nn) unless. A particle expressive of conciliation \moratci\. Is it thus and thus only that we are equal to the task of commending ourselves [ i.e ., by mentioning transactions that took place elsewhere], if we do not need [with- out needing] also letters ? Some read %.1 — n/sg, some) of many, ii. 17. In this respect also, he shows that he utterly differs from the false apostles. They did need letters of recommen- dation.— if vfiZjv, from you) to others. This then was the practice at Corinth.
2. ’Ev raTg xapdluig ii/xwv, in our hearts) Your faith was written in our heart, in which we carry about it and yourselves — a faith everywhere to be known and read. It was reflected from the heart of the Corinthians to the heart of the apostle. — tfavrwv, by all men) by you and others. This is an argument for the truth of the Gospel, obvious to all, to be derived from believers themselves [iv.2; 1 Cor. xiv. 25].
3. ®uvsptvfiivoi, manifested) construed with vfitTg, ye, ver. 2.
The reason assigned [aetiologia, see Append.] why this epistle may be read. — Xpnrrou — ixp of Christ — by us) This explains
the word our , ver. 2. Christ is the author of the epistle. — dicc- xovrifoTaa) The verb diuxovz w, has often the accusative of the thing, viii. 19, 20; 2 Tim. i. 18 ; 1 Pet. i. 12, iv. 10. So Paeanius, rijv d/axovov/j,si iog, directing the battle , b. 7, Metaphr.
1 So CD(A)G$7 Vulg. (“ aut numquid”)* But AB (judging from silence acc. to Tisch : But Lachm. quotes B for tj) read si ^ as Rec Text. — Ed.
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