2 Corinthians 7

CHAPTER 7

2 Corinthians 7:3. For the order πρὸςκατάκρ. οὐλέγω (Lachm.) even the testimony of B C à is not sufficient as against all the vss. and most of the Fathers.—2 Corinthians 7:8. Instead of the second εἰκαί, B has εἰδὲκαί, and the γάρ after βλέπω is omitted by B D* Clar. Germ. (put in brackets by Lachm.); the Vulgate has read βλέπων (without γάρ), and Rückert wishes to restore the text accordingly: εἰδὲκαὶμετεμελόμηνβλέπωνὅτι … ὑμᾶς, νῦνχαίρω. But the Recepta has far preponderant attestation, and the variations are easily explained from it. It was rightly seen that with εἰκαὶμετεμ. there starts a new portion of the discourse (whence in B δέ was inserted as an adversative conjunction), and either the apodosis was already begun at βλέπω, whence followed the omission of γάρ, or it was rightly perceived that the apodosis only began with νῦνχαίρω, and so βλέπων was substituted as a gloss for βλέπωγάρ.—2 Corinthians 7:10.

Instead of the first κατεργάζεται, Lachm. Rück. Tisch. have only ἐργάζεται, following B C D E à* 37, Justin. Clem. Or. (thrice), Chrys. Dam.

Rightly; the compound has crept in on account of the one following (comp. also 2 Corinthians 7:11); it is (in opposition to Fritzsche, de conform. Lachm. p. 48) too rash to conclude from 2 Corinthians 7:11 that Paul wrote κατεργ., for there, after the previous κατεργ., the compound might present itself, naturally and unsought, to the apostle, even if he had used the simple form in the first half of 2 Corinthians 7:10.—2 Corinthians 7:11. ὑμᾶς] is to be deleted as a supplementary insertion, with Lachm. and Rück., following B C F G à* 17, Boern. Ambrosiast. Au.

ἐντῷπράγματι] The ἐν is wanting in witnesses of importance; bracketed by Lachm. and Rück.; deleted by Tisch. An explanatory addition to the dative.—2 Corinthians 7:12. οὐδέ] B à** 37, 73 have ἀλλʼ οὐδέ, an error of the copyis.

τὴνσπουδὴνἡμῶντὴνὑπὲρὑμῶν] B C D** E K L and many min., also Syr. Arr. Copt. Aeth. Germ. Damasc.

Oec. have τὴνσπ. ὑμῶν[253] Τ. ὙΠῈΡἩΜῶΝ. Recommended by Griesb., adopted by Matth. Lachm. and Tisch. Rejected on account of the sense by Rück. and Hofm. But it is precisely the apparent impropriety in the sense of this reading which has given rise to the Recepta, just as πρὸςὑμᾶς seemed also unsuitable, and is therefore wanting in Syr. Erp.

Arm. Aeth. Vulg. Ambrosiast. Pel. Lachmann’s reading appears, therefore, to be the correct one; it is defended also by Reiche, Comm. crit.

I. p. 367.—2 Corinthians 7:13. ΠΑΡΑΚΕΚΛΉΜΕΘΑἘΠῚΤῇΠΑΡΑΚΛΉΣΕΙὙΜῶΝΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΈΡΩςΔῈΜᾶΛΛΟΝ] Lachm. Tisch. and Rück. read: ΠΑΡΑΚΕΚΛΉΜΕΘΑἘΠῚΔῈΤῇΠΑΡΑΚΛΉΣΕΙἩΜῶΝΠΕΡΙΣΣ. ΜᾶΛΛΟΝ, according to considerably preponderating attestation. Rightly; the ἘΠΊ, twice taken in the same sense, caused ἘΠῚΤῇΠΑΡΑΚΛ. ἩΜῶΝ to be attached to ΠΑΡΑΚΕΚΛΉΜΕΘΑ, and hence the position of ΔΈ to be changed; and now the sense further demanded the change of ἩΜῶΝ into ὙΜῶΝ. The Recepta is defended by Reiche.—2 Corinthians 7:14. ἠκαύχησιςἡμῶνἡἐπὶΤ.] ὑμῶν for ἡμῶν (Lachm.) is supported only by B F, with some vss. and Theoph. A mechanical repetition of ὑμῶν from what precedes.—2 Corinthians 7:16. The οὖν (Elz.) after χαίρω deleted, as a connective addition, by Griesb. and the later editors on decisive evidence.

[253] So also à, which, however, has ὑμῶν again instead of ἡμῶν, obviously through a copyist’s error, which is also found in D* F.

2 Corinthians 7:1

2 Corinthians 7:1 closes the previous section.

Since we accordingly (according to 2 Corinthians 6:16-18) have these promises (namely, that God will dwell among us, receive us, be our Father, etc.), we wish not to make them null in our case by an immoral lif.

ταύτας] placed at the head, bears the emphasis of the importance of the promise.

καθαρίσωμενἑαυτούς] denotes the morally purifying activity, which the Christian has to exert on himself, not simply the keeping himself pure (Olshausen). He who has become a Christian has by his faith doubtless attained forgiveness of his previous sins (Romans 3:23-25), is reconciled with God and sanctified (comp. 2 Corinthians 5:19 ff., and see on Acts 15:9); but Paul refers here to the moral stains incurred in the Christian condition, which the state of grace of the regenerate (1 Peter 1:22 f.) as much obliges him to do away with again in reference to himself (Romans 6:1 ff; Romans 8:12 ff.), as by the power of God (Philippians 2:12-13) it makes him capable of doing so (Romans 6:14; Romans 8:9). And no one forms an exception in this respect; hence Paul includes himself, with true moral feeling of this need placing himself on an equality with his reader.

σαρκὸςκαὶπνεύματος] The Christian is in the flesh, i.e. in the material-psychical part of his nature, stained by fornication, intemperance, and such transgressions and vices as directly pollute the body (which ought to be holy, 1 Corinthians 6:13 ff; 1 Corinthians 7:34); and his spirit, i.e. the substratum of his rational and moral consciousness, the seat of the operation of the Divine Spirit in him and therewith the bearer of his higher and eternal life (1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Corinthians 5:3; Romans 8:16), is stained by immoral thoughts, desires, etc., which are suggested to him by means of the power of sin in the flesh, and through which the spirit along with the νοῦς is sinfully affected, becomes weak and bound, and enslaved to sin (comp. on Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23). The two do not exclude, but include each other. Observe, further, that Paul might have used σώματος instead of σαρκός; but he puts σαρκός, because the flesh, in which the principle of sin has its seat and hence the fomes peccati lies, serves as the element to which every bodily defilement ethically attaches itself. This is based on the natural relation of the σάρξ to the power of sin, for which reason it is never demanded that the σάρξ shall be or become holy, but that the body (1 Corinthians 7:34) shall be holy through the crucifixion of the flesh, through putting off the old man, etc. (Colossians 2:11). By these means the Christian no longer lives ἐνσαρκί (Romans 8:8 f.) and κατὰσάρκα, and is purified from everything wherewith the flesh is soiled; comp. 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 8:13; Romans 12:1. The surprising character of the expression, to which Holsten especially takes objection (see z.

Evang. d. Paul. u. Petr. p. 387), is disposed of by the very consideration that Paul is speaking of the regenerate; in their case the lusts of the σάρξ in fact remain, and the σάρξ is defiled, if their lusts are actually gratified. Calovius, we may add, rightly observes: “ex illatione etiam apostolica a promissionibus gratiae ad studium novae obedientiae manifestum est, doctrinam apostolicam de gratuita nostri justificatione et in filios adoptione non labefactare pietatis et sanctitatis studium, sed ad illud excitare atque ad obedientiam Deo praestandam calcar addere.”

On μολυσμός, comp. Jeremiah 23:15; Jeremiah 3 Esdr. 8:83; 2Ma 5:27; Plut. Mor. p. 779 C.

ἐπιτελοῦντεςἁγιωσύνην] This is the positive activity of the καθαρίζεινἑαντούς: while we bring holiness to perfection (2 Corinthians 8:6) in the fear of God. To establish complete holiness in himself is the continual moral endeavour[254] and work of the Christian purifying himself. Comp. Romans 6:22.

ἐνφόβῳθεοῦ] is the ethical, holy sphere (Ephesians 5:21) in which the ἐπιτελεῖνἁγιωσ. must move and proceed. Comp. Romans 11:19-22, and already Genesis 17:1. Thus the apostle closes the whole section with the same ethical fundamental idea, with which he had begun it at 2 Corinthians 5:11, where, however, it was specifically limited to the executor of the divine judgment.

[254] Although with this the moral perfection itself, which the ideal injunction of it requires, is never fully reached. It is “non viae, sed metae et patriae” (Calovius); but the Christian labours constantly at it, striving towards the goal at which “finis coronat opus.” Comp. BengeL The success is of God (Philippians 1:6), the fear of whom guides the Christian.

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

2 Corinthians 7:2-16. Regarding the impression made by the former Epistle and its result. A conciliatory outpouring of love and confidence serves as introduction, 2 Corinthians 7:2-4. Then an account how Paul received through Titus the comforting and cheering news of the impression made by his Epistle, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7. True, he had saddened the readers by his Epistle, but he regrets it no longer, but rejoices now on account of the nature and effect of this saddening, 2 Corinthians 7:8-12. Therefore he is calmed, and his joy is still more heightened by the joy of Titus, who has returned so much cheered that Paul saw all his boasts to Titus regarding them justified. He is glad to be of good courage in everything through them, 2 Corinthians 7:13-16.

2 Corinthians 7:3

2 Corinthians 7:3. Not for the sake of condemning do I say it, namely, what was said in 2 Corinthians 7:2. I do not wish thereby to express any condemnatory judgment, as if, although we have done wrong to no one, etc., you failed in that love to which χωρήσατεἡμᾶς lays claim. Κατάκρισιν was taken of the reproach of covetousness (so Theodoret, and comp. Emmerling and Neander), but this is an arbitrary importation into the word. According to Rückert, πρὸςκατάκρισιν is not to be supplemented by ὑμῶν, but Paul wishes here to remove the unpleasant impression of 2 Corinthians 7:2, in which he confirms the severity of his former Epistle, so that there is to be regarded as object of κατάκρισις primarily the incestuous person, and secondarily the whole church, in so far as it has acted towards this man with unchristian leniency. This explanation falls to the ground with Rückert’s view of 2 Corinthians 7:2; the ἐστέ that follows puts it beyond doubt that ὑμῶν is really to be supplied with πρὸςκατακρ. for its explanation. According to de Wette, οὐπ. κατάκρ. λ. applies in form, no doubt, to 2 Corinthians 7:2, but in substance more to the censure, of which the expostulatory tone of 2 Corinthians 7:2 had created an expectation; in other words, it applies to something not really said, which is arbitrary, since what was said was fitted sufficiently to appear as κατάκρισις.

προείρηκαγάρ] for I have said before (2 Corinthians 6:11 f.), antea dixi, as 3Ma 6:35, 2Ma 14:8, and often in classical writers. Comp. Ephesians 3:3. This contains the proof that he οὐπρὸςκατάκρισινλέγει; for, if he spoke now unto condemnation, he would contradict his former word.

ὅτιἐνταῖςκαρδ. κ.τ.λ.] Comp. Philippians 1:7. In 2 Corinthians 6:11 f. he has expressed not these words, but their sense. By his adding the definition of degree, εἰςτὸσυναποθ. κ.τ.λ., Paul becomes his own interprete.

εἰςτὸσυναποθανεῖνκαὶσυζῇν] is usually taken (see still Rückert, de Wette, Ewald, also Osiander, who, however, mixes up much that is heterogeneous) as: so that I would die and live with you, and this as “vehementissimum amoris indicium, nolle nec in vita nee in morte ab eo quem ames separari,” Estius, on which Grotius finely remarks: “egregius χαρακτὴρ boni pastoris, John 10:12.” Comparison is made with the Horatian tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam lubens (Od. iii. 9. 24), and similar passages in Wetstein. But against this may be urged not only the position of the two words, of which the συναποθανεῖν must logically have been put last, but also the perfectly plain construction, according to which the subject of ἐστε must also be the subject of συναπ and συζῇν.: you are in our hearts in order to die and to live with (us),[256] i.e. in order not to depart from our hearts (from our love) in death, if it is appointed to us to die, and in life, if it is appointed to us to remain in life. For he, whom we love, dies and lives with us, when regarded, namely, from the idea of our heartfelt love to him, and from our sympathetic point of view feeling this consciousness of love which has him always present to our heart—a consciousness according to which we, dying and living, know him in our hearts as sharing death and life with us. And how natural that Paul, beset with continual deadly perils (2 Corinthians 6:9), should have put the συναποθανεῖν first! in which case συζῇν is to be referred to eternal life just as little as ζῶμεν in 2 Corinthians 6:9 (Ambrosiaster, comp. Osiander). Hence the thought can as little surprise us, and as little appear “tolerably meaningless” (de Wette), as the conception of alter ego. Hofmann, too, with his objection (“since they, nevertheless, in fact do not die with him,” etc.) mistakes the psychological delicacy and thoughtfulness of the expression; and wishes to interpret it—which no reader could have hit on (expressly as προείρ. does not point back further than to 2 Corinthians 6:11)—from 2 Corinthians 6:9 and 2 Corinthians 4:11 to the effect that the life of the apostle is a continual dying, in which he yet remains always in life, and that consequently it is his life so constituted which the readers share, when they are in his heart.

[256] There is no justification for departing in any passage from the telic reference of εἰς with the infinitive. Comp. on 2 Corinthians 8:6.

2 Corinthians 7:4

2 Corinthians 7:4. A further, and that a psychological, proof for the οὐπρ. κατάκρ. λέγω.

παῤῥησία is the internal frame of mind, the good joyous confidence (see on Ephesians 3:12), without which no καύχησις, no self-boasting for the sake of the readers, would outwardly take place (ὑπέρ, as in 2 Corinthians 5:12, 2 Corinthians 8:24). To take it of the libertas loquendi (Pelagius, Beza, Luther, Vatablus, Cornelius a Lapide, and many others, including Schrader and Ewald) is inappropriate, because by the παῤῥησία in this sense there would be no negation of πρὸςκατάκρ. λέγειν. And the taking the καύχησις of inward boasting before God (Osiander), ought to have been precluded by 2 Corinthians 7:14, comp. 2 Corinthians 9:3.

πεπληρ. κ.τ.λ.] The two clauses form a climax, so that πεπλ. is correlative with ὑπερπερ. and παρακλ. with χαρᾃ. In the use of the article with παρακλ. and χαρᾷ Paul already looks to the special comfort and joy, of which he intends to speak further (2 Corinthians 7:7). The dative of the instrument (as at 2Ma 5:5; 2Ma 7:21; 3Ma 4:10) is used with πληρ. in the N. T. also at Romans 1:29, and in classic Greek, though seldom. See Elmsley, ad Soph. Oed. Col. 16; Blomfield, Gloss. Aesch. Agam. 163; Bernhardy, p. 168. Comp. also Jacobs, ad Anthol. XI. p. 209.

ὑπερπερισσεύομαι] I am exceeding richly provided with, Mosch. vi. 13; comp. the passive in Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29. The present sets forth the thing as still continuously taking plac.

ἐπὶπάσῃτῇθλίψειἡμ.] does not belong to τῇχαρᾷ, but to the two whole affirmations πεπληρ. τῇπαρακλ. and ὑπερπερισσ. τῇχαρᾷ; and ἐπί is not, as Grotius thought, post, as in Herod. i. 45: ἐπʼ ἐκείνῃτῇσυμφορῇ (see, generally, Wurm, ad Dinarch. p. 39 f.), since (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:3-11) the tribulation still continues, but in, at. See Winer, p. 367 [E. T. 490].

2 Corinthians 7:5

2 Corinthians 7:5. In all our tribulation, I say, for even after we had come to Macedonia we had no rest.

In this καί, even, Paul refers back to what was stated in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; but it does not follow that with Flatt we should regard what lies between as a digressio.

ἔσχηκεν] as in 2 Corinthians 2:13. Still B F G K (not à), Lachmann, have the reading ἔσχεν, which appears to be original and altered into accordance with 2 Corinthians 2:13.

ἡσὰρξἡμῶν] our flesh, denotes here, according to the connection, the purely human essence as determined by its corporeo-psychical nature, in its moral impotence and sensuous excitability, apart from the divine πνεῦμα, without whose influence even the moral nature of man (the human πνεῦμα with the νοῦς) lacks the capacity for determining and governing the ethical life. Comp. on Romans 4:1; John 3:6. The σάρξ with its life-principle the ψυχή is by itself morally incapable even in the regenerate man, and stands too much in antagonism to the divine πνεῦμα (see on Galatians 5:17), not to have unrest, despondency, etc., occurring even in him when he confronts the impressions of struggle and suffering. Comp. Matthew 24:41. No doubt the expression in this passage seems not to agree with the τῷπνεύματίμου in 2 Corinthians 2:12; but there, where, besides, Paul is speaking simply of himself, he speaks only of inward unrest, of anxious thoughts in the moral consciousness; whereas here (where he includes also Timothy) he speaks of outward (ἔξωθενμάχαι) and inward (ἔσωθενφόβοι) assaults, so that that which lies, as it were, in the middle and is affected on both sides is the σάρξ.[257] Rückert brings in here also his groundless hypothesis regarding an illness of the apostl.

ἀλλʼ ἐνπαντὶθλιβόμενοι] Paul continues as if he had written previously: οὐκἤμεθαἄνεσινἔχοντες, or οὐκἐνἀνέσειἤμεθα, or οὐχἥσυχοιἤμεθα, or the like. Quite similar departures from the construction are found also in the classics. See Matthiae, p. 1293; Fritzsche, Dissert. II. p. 49. Comp. 2 Corinthians 1:7, εἰδότες, and the remark on it. It arises from vividness of excitement as the thought proceeds. Comp. Kühner, II. p. 617. Buttmann, neut. Gram. p. 256 [E. T. 298].

ἔξωθενμάχαι, ἔσωθενφόβοι] The omission of ἦσαν gives greater prominence to the short, concise representation. Chrysostom, Theophylact, Pelagius, Calvin, Grotius, Bengel, Wetstein, and others, also Schrader, explain ἔξωθεν and ἔσωθεν as extra and intra ecclesiam; and of this various interpretations are given; Chrysostom holding that the former applies to unbelievers, the latter to the weak brethren; Theodoret: that the former applies to the false teachers, the latter to the weak brethren; and Grotius: that the former applies to the Jews and heathen, the latter to the false teachers. But after ἡσὰρξἡμῶν (see above), and on account of φόβοι, it is more in keeping with the context to refer it to the subject: from without struggles (with opponents, who may have been Christian or non-Christian), from within (from our own minds) fears. The latter are not defined more precisely; but it is in keeping with the contrast of χαρῆναι afterwards in 2 Corinthians 7:7 to think of fears regarding the circumstances of the Corinthians, and in particular regarding the effect of his former Epistle on them (comp. also 2 Corinthians 2:12). Hofmann holds, without any basis in the text, that Paul was apprehensive lest the conflicts to be undergone by him (probably with the Jews) might degenerate into persecutions.

[257] Ernesti, Urspr. d. Sünde, I. p. 56, has wrongly objected to this interpretation that Paul would have said ἡψυχὴἡμῶν. He might have done so, hut there was no need for it; the σάρξ rather corresponds with the ἔξωθεν most naturally as that which is first affected from without.

2 Corinthians 7:6-7

2 Corinthians 7:6-7. Τοὺςταπεινούς] the lowly, i.e. the bowed down. This ὁπαρακαλῶντοὺςταπεινούς is a general designation of God, significant in its practical bearing (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:3), so that the suffering ἡμεῖς (in παρεκάλεσενἡμᾶς) belong to the category of the ταπεινοί.

ὁθεός] is brought in later by way of attraction, because ὁπαρακαλῶν … παρεκάλεσενἡμᾶς were the chief conceptions. Comp. Kühner, ad Xen. Anab. iv. 3. 1.

ἐντῇπαρουσίᾳ] through the arrival.

Τίτου] See Introd. § 1.

οὐμόνονδὲκ.τ.λ.] A delicate form of transition. Not merely through his arrival, not only through the reunion with him did God comfort us, but also through the comfort, wherewith he was comforted in regard to you (1 Thessalonians 3:7) while he announced to us, etc. When Titus informed us of your desire, etc., this information had so soothing an effect on himself that we too were soothed. Comp. Ewald. The usual view, that Paul meant to say: through the comfort which he brought to me, for he related to me, etc., and thus wrote with logical inaccuracy, is as arbitrary as Hofmann’s way of escaping the difficulty—for which he adduces erroneously 1 Thessalonians 3:10—that it must have run properly (?) in the form of παρακληθεὶςἀνήγγειλεν.

Certainly Titus had himself been comforted by what he saw in Corinth; but psychologically it was most natural that this “being comforted” on the part of Titus should be repeated and renewed by his communicating to Paul and Timothy his cheering observations and experiences, and so they too were comforted with the comfort which was afforded to Titus himself by the report which he was able to give. This interpretation—in which there is thus not to be assumed any blending of the comfort which Titus had felt in perceiving the improved state of matters at Corinth, and then in communicating it (Osiander)—is neither unnatural (Hofmann) nor turning on punctilious reflection (de Wette), but founded necessarily on the words, which Paul has not written otherwise, just because he has not conceived them otherwis.

ἐπιπόθησιν] longing, namely, to see me again among yo.

ὀδυρμόν] lamentation, for having saddened me so by the disorders tolerated in your church, especially in reference to the incestuous person. Comp. 2 Corinthians 7:11-12.

τὸνὑμῶνζῆλουὑπὲρἐμοῦ] your eager interest for me, to soothe me, to obey me, etc. There was no need to repeat the article here after ζῆλον, since we may say ζηλοῦν or ζῆλονἔχεινὑπέρτινος (Colossians 4:13), in which case ὑπὲρἐμοῦ is blended so as to form one idea with ζῆλον. Comp. on Galatians 3:26 and Fritzschior. Opusc. p. 245.

ὥστεμεμᾶλλονχαρῆναι] so that I was all the more glad. The emphasis is on μἀλλον (magis in Vulgate); on its meaning, all the more, comp. Nägelsbach on the Iliad, p. 227, ed. 3. The apostle’s joy was made all the greater by the information longed for and received, since from it he learned how, in consequence of his letter, the Corinthians had on their part now met him with so much longing, pain, and zeal. Observe in this the emphatic prefixing, thrice repeated, of the ὑμῶν, which gives the key to this μᾶλλονχαρῆναι. The former Epistle had had its effect.

He had previously had for them longing, pain, zeal; now, on their part, such longing, etc., had set in for him. Thus the position of things had happily changed on the part of the church, which before was so indifferent, and in part even worse, in its mood towards Paul. Billroth, following Bengel, takes it: so that I rather rejoiced, i.e. so that my former pain was not merely taken away, but was changed into joy. Comp. also Hofmann.[258] In this case μᾶλλον would be potius. But the very prefixing of the μᾶλλον, and still more the similarity of 2 Corinthians 7:13, are against this.

Theophylact, we may add, has rightly remarked that Paul could with truth write as he does in this passage, inasmuch as he wisely leaves to the readers the distingue personas.

[258] Who finds the meaning to be: “that with the apostle for his own person the comfort, which he shared with Timothy, rose into joy.” In that case ἐμέ at least must have been used instead of the enclitic με. The transition to the first person singular is caused simply by the fact, that Paul now has in view the rebuke and injunction of the former Epistle, chap. 5.

2 Corinthians 7:8

2 Corinthians 7:8 f. Information regarding this μᾶλλονχαρῆναι, explaining the ground of it. With εἰκαὶμετεμελόμην there begins a new protasis, the apodosis of which is νῦνχαίρωκ.τ.λ., so that the βλέπωγὰρκ.τ.λ., which stands between, assigns parenthetically the ground of the protasis. For if I have even saddened you in my Epistle, I do not regret it; if I did regret it (which I have no wish to deny) formerly (and as I now perceive, not without ground, for I learn from the accounts of Titus that that Epistle, if even for a short time, has saddened you), now I am glad, etc. Comp. Luther; Rinck, Lucubr. crit. p. 162, and the punctuation of Lachmann and Teschendorf; also Kling.

Only in this way of dividing and interpreting this passage does the explanatory statement advance in a simple logical way (1, I do not regret; 2, if I did previously regret, now I am glad), and the imperfect μετεμελ. stand in right correlation with the present νῦνχαίρω, so that μετεμελόμην applies to the time before the present joyful mood was reached. The common punctuation, adopted also by Osiander and Hofmann, which connects εἰκαὶμετεμελ. with the previous words, and begins a new sentence with νῦνχαίρω, breaks asunder the logical connection and the correlation of the parts, and leaves βλέπωγὰρκ.τ.λ. (which must be the reason assigned for οὐμεταμέλομαι, as Hofmann also correctly holds, and not for ἐλύπησαὑμᾶς, as Olshausen, de Wette, and others would make it) without any proper reference. Bengel, indeed, wishes to take εἰκαί before πρ. ὥρ elliptically: “Contristavit vos, inquit, epistola tantummodo ad tempus vel potius ne ad tempus quidem.” But it is not the bare εἰκαί which is thus used elliptically, but εἰκαὶἄρα, or more often εἴπερἄρα, even εἰἄρα (see Vigerus, ed. Herm. p. 514; comp. Hartung, Partikell. I. p. 440; Klotz, ad Devar. p. 521); further, πρὸςὥραν must have logically stood before εἰκαί; lastly, the thought itself would be in the highest degree unsuitable, since Paul could not cast doubt on the genuine sadness of the readers (comp. ὀδυρμόν, 2 Corinthians 7:7, and see 2 Corinthians 7:9 ff.).

The meaning would not be, as Bengel thinks, ἤθους apostolici plenissimum, but in contradiction with the context. Billroth would (and Chrysostom in a similar way) bring out a logical grounding of οὐμεταμέλομαι by taking βλέπω as meaning: I take into consideration;[259] “I take into consideration that it has saddened you, though only for a short time, as I had intended; by allowing yourselves to be saddened, you have shown that you are susceptible to amendment” (2 Corinthians 2:2). But in this way everything, in which the probative force is supposed to lie, is imported. This is the case also with Hofmann, who makes (comp. Bengel above) εἰκαί form by itself alone a parenthetic elliptic sentence, but in a concessive sense, so that the import of the whole is held to be: “Although the Epistle has saddened them, it is a temporary, not a permanent, sadness with which it has filled them. This the apostle sees, and he therefore does not regret that he has saddened them by it.” Paul does not write in this enigmatical fashion; he would have said intelligibly: ἡἐπιστ. ἐκείνη, εἰκαὶἐλύπησενὑμᾶς, πρὸςὥρανἐλύπησεν, or, at any rate, have added to εἰκαί the appropriate verb (comp. 2 Corinthians 7:12).

Such an elliptic εἰκαί is as unexampled as that which is assumed by Bengel, and both serve only to misconstrue and distort the meaning of the words. Rückert comes nearest to our view; he proposes to read βλέπων (as also Lachmann, Praef. p. xii., would), and to make the meaning: “That I have thus saddened you I do not regret, but although I regretted it (εἰδὲκαὶμετεμελόμην) when I saw that that Epistle had caused you … sadness, still I am glad now,” etc. But apart from the very weak attestation for the reading βλέπων, and apart also from the fact that εἰδὲκαί would be although, however, not but although, βλέπων … ἐλύπησενὑμᾶς would only contain a very superfluous and cumbrous repetition of the thought already expressed in the acknowledgment εἰκαὶἐλύπησαὑμᾶς, since βλέπων would not apply to the insight gained from the news brought by Titus. Ewald has the peculiar view, which is simply an uncalled for and arbitrary invention, that Paul intended to write: for I see that that Epistle, though it saddened you for a short time, has yet brought you to a right repentance; but feeling this to be unsuitable, he suddenly changed the train of thought and went on: I am now glad, etc. Neander has a view quite similar.

On πρὸςὥραν, comp. Philemon 1:15; Galatians 2:5. The clause “although for a short time” is here a delicately thoughtful addition of sympathetic love, which has in view the fact that the sadness caused by it will only last up to the receipt of the present Epistle, which is intended to assure the readers of the apostle’s pardon and joy (comp. 2 Corinthians 2:4 ff.).

[259] Camerarius already took it as hoc intueor et considero. It is simply animadverto, cognosco (Romans 7:23). Comp. Jacobs, ad Anthol. II. 3, p. 203.

REMARK.

Some make an alteration in the meaning of εἰκαὶμετεμελόμην: etiamsi poenituisset (Erasmus, Castalio, Vatablus, and others, including Flatt); or hold that poenitere is here equivalent to dolorem capere (Calvin, comp. Grotius); or suggest explanations such as: “Non autem dolere potuit de eo quod scripserit cum severitate propter schismata …; hoc enim omne factum instinctu divino per θεοπευστίαν; sed quod contristati fuerint epistola sua et illi, quos illa increpatio adeo non tetigit,” Calovius (comp. Grotius); or the more ingenious device of Beza: “ut significet apostolus, se ex epistola illa acerbius scripta nonnullum dolorem cepisse, non quasi quod fecerat optaret esse infectum, sed quod clementis patris exemplo se ad hanc severitatem coactum esse secum gemens, eventum rei expectaret.” But these are forced shifts of the conception of mechanical inspiration. The Theopneustia does not put an end to the spontaneity of the individual with his varying play of human emotions; hence Wetstein is so far right in remarking: “Interpretes, qui putant, et consilium scribendi epistolam (rather of writing in so hard a vein of chastisement), et ejus consilii poenitentiam, et poenitentiae poenitentiam ab afflatu Spir. sancti fuisse profectam, parum consentanea dicere videntur.” Not as if such alternation of moods testified against the existence of inspiration; but it attests its dependence on the natural conditions of the individual in the mode of its working, which was not only different in different subjects, but was not alike even in individuals where these were differently determined by outer and inner influences; so that the divine side of the Scripture does not annul the human, or make it a mere phantom, nor can it be separated from it mechanically. It is indissolubly blended with it.

2 Corinthians 7:9

2 Corinthians 7:9. Νῦνχαίρω] see on 2 Corinthians 7:8. To take the νῦν not in a temporal, but in a causal sense (proinde, jam vero, with Emmerling and Billroth), is quite at variance with the context, because the thought is implied in the previous clause: I no longer regret i.

οὐχὅτιἐλυπ.] not regarding the sadness caused to you in itself.

κατὰθεόν] according to God, i.e. in a way in keeping with the divine will. See on Romans 8:27. Bengel aptly remarks: “Secundum hic significat sensum animi Deum spectantis et sequentis.” Not: by God’s operation, which (in opposition to Hofmann) Paul never expresses by κατά (nor yet is it so even in 1 Peter 4:6); with the Greeks, however, κατὰθεόν means according to divine disposal.

ἵναἐνμηδενὶζημιωθ. ἐξἡμῶν] not: ita ut, etc. (so Rückert), but the divinely-ordained aim of the previous ἐλυπήθητεκατὰθεόν: in order that ye in no point (comp. 2 Corinthians 6:3; Philippians 1:28; James 1:4), in no sort of way (not even in the way of severe, saddening reproof), should have hurt (injury as to the Messianic salvation) from us, from whom, in fact, only the furtherance of your true welfare ought to proceed. See 2 Corinthians 7:10. According to Osiander, ἐνμηδενί means: in no part of the Christian life (neither in the joyfulness of faith nor in purity of morals). At variance with the context: for to the matters negatived by ἐνμηδενί must belong the λύπη itself caused by him, which, had it not occurred κατὰθεόν, would have injured the σωτηρία of the readers (2 Corinthians 7:10).

The clause of purpose is to be connected with the ἐλυπ. γ. κατὰθεόν immediately preceding, which is no parenthetic remark, but is the regulative thought controlling what follows (in 2 Corinthians 7:10-11); wherefore ἵνακ.τ.λ. is not, with Hofmann, to be attached to ἐλυπ. εἰςμετάνοιαν.

2 Corinthians 7:10

2 Corinthians 7:10. Ground assigned for ἵναἐνμηδ. ζημιωθ. ἐξἡμῶν: for godly sadness works repentance unto salvation unregretted, i.e. unto the Messianic salvation, the attainment of which is not regretted. The connection of ἀμεταμέλ. with σωτηρίαν is held by Augustine and other Latin Fathers, following the Vulgate, which has stabilem,[260] and among modern expositors by Fritzsche, Billroth (yet doubtfully), Schrader, de Wette, Ewald; decidedly by Castalio also, but undecidedly by Erasmus, Annot. The more common connection is with μετάνοιαν, so as to give the antanaclasis poenitentiam non poenitendam (for similar collocations see Wetstein, comp. Pliny, Ep. vii. 10); οὐδεὶςγὰρἑαυτοῦκαταγνώσεται, ἐὰνλυπηθῇἐφʼ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἐὰνπενθήσῃκαὶἑαυτὸνσυντρίψῃ, Chrysostom. But for such an antanaclasis Paul would not have chosen an adjective from quite a different root, but ἀμετανόητον (Lucian, Obadiah 1:11, comp. also Romans 2:5), which is also the reading[261] of some minor authorities.

And if ἈΜΕΤΑΜΈΛ. were to belong to ΜΕΤΆΝΟΙΑΝ, it would stand immediately by its side, so as to make ΕἸςΣΩΤΗΡΊΑΝ appear as the result throwing light upon ἈΜΕΤΑΜΈΛ. When placed after ΕἸςΣΩΤΗΡΊΑΝ, ἈΜΕΤΑΜΈΛ. is an epithet of ΜΕΤΆΝΟΙΑΝ no longer suitable, insipid, and halting. Olshausen and Hofmann wrongly object that the epithet is not suitable to the idea of salvation, the absolute good. It expresses by way of litotes the eternal satisfaction of the ΣΩΤΗΡΊΑ, and is selected with a glance back to what was said in 2 Corinthians 7:8. If the apostle, namely, has caused a sadness which works a contrition unto a salvation exposed to no regret, it is obvious how this step of his can no longer give rise to any regret in his case, but can only make him joyful. Comp. on the expression itself, Romans 11:29, and especially Plato, Tim. p. 59 D: ἀμεταμέλητονἡδονὴνκτᾶται, Legg. ix. p. 866 E; Polyb. xxi. 9. 11; Plutarch, Mor. p. 137 B; Socrates in Stob. 101, p. 552; Clem.

Cor. I. 2.

ἡδὲτοῦκόσμονλύπη] i.e. the sadness, however, which is felt by the world, by the ungodly-minded unbelievers. This is certainly λύπνδιὰχρήματα, διὰδόξαν, διὰτὸνἀπελθόντακ.τ.λ. (Chrysostom), in so far, namely, as the loss of outward advantage in and for itself determines the sadness,[262] but the genitive τοῦκόσμου is the genitivus subjecti, and we must retain as the characteristic of this λύπη that it is not κατὰθεόν (because it cannot be determined by the knowledge of God and of His will); hence, instead of working repentance unto salvation, it works despondency, despair, exasperation, obduracy, etc., unto death. Even ΔΙᾺΧΡΉΜΑΤΑΚ.Τ.Λ. there may be a sadness ΚΑΤᾺΘΕΌΝ.

ΘΆΝΑΤΟΝ] i.e. not generally: “all that is embraced in a state of things not founded on God” (Hofmann), but, as the opposite of that unregretted σωτηρία, eternal death, the Messianic ἀπώλεια; comp. 2 Corinthians 2:16. Calovius says aptly: “quia mundus dolet, cum affligitur, solatii ex verbo Dei expers ac fide destitutus.” The exposition of vexing oneself to death (Theodoret), or the reference made by Grotius, Rosenmüller, and others to fatal diseases and suicide, is quite at variance with the context; and Sir 38:18 has no bearing here. Even the ethical view (moral ruin through despair or new sins, de Wette, comp. Neander) is not in keeping with the contrast to σωτηρία; besides, Paul never uses ΘΆΝΑΤΟς of ethical death. See on Romans 5:12.

Regarding the difference between ἐργάζεται and ΚΑΤΕΡΓΆΖ. (bring to pass), see on Romans 1:27; van Hengel, ad Romans 2:10.

[260] According to the reading ἀμετάβλητον, which Origen has (once), but before εἰςσωτηρ.

[261] And which (in opposition to Osiander) would have expressed the idea of something painful quite as well as ἀμεταμέλ.

[262] As this would have been the case also with the Corinthians, if they had grieved over the reproof only, and not over the sin. Comp. Elwert in the Wûrtemberg. Stud. IX. 1 p. 135 ff.

2 Corinthians 7:11

2 Corinthians 7:11. What has just been said of the godly sorrow is now proved by experience from the instance of the readers themselves. For see, this very thing (nothing else), the having been afflicted with godly sorrow, etc. The emphatic use of the preparatory τοῦτο before infinitives is very common in classic writers. See Kühner, II. p. 330; Breitenb. ad Xen. Oec. 14. 10.

ὑμῖν] not: among you, but: vobis.

σπουδήν] activity, namely, to efface and make amends for the offence, as opposed to their previous negligence in regard to the incestuous perso.

ἀλλά] yea rather, imo, corrective, and thereby advancing beyond the last idea (comp. 1 Corinthians 3:2; John 16:2). Paul feels that he has said too little by using σπουδήν. The co-ordinate repetition of ἀλλά before each point lays on each a special emphasis. Comp. on 1 Corinthians 6:11.

ἀπολογίαν] πρὸςἐμέ, Chrysostom and Theophylact rightly say; but we must at the same time observe that they have answered for themselves in the first instance to Titus, and through him to Paul (that they were not partakers in the guilt of the incestuous person). Billroth understands the de facto exculpation by the adjudging of punishment to the transgressor. An arbitrary view, and opposed to the context (ἐκδίκησιν). Ewald, in accordance with his assumption of a letter in reply now lost, refers it to the latte.

ἀγανάκτησιν] displeasure, vexation, that such a disgraceful thing had been carried on in the churc.

φόβον] “ne cum virga venirem” (Bengel), namely, in the event of the state of things not being amended (1 Corinthians 4:21), or even of new transgressions. Comp. Chrysostom and Theophylact. The explanation: fear of God’s punishments (Pelagius, Calvin, Flatt, Olshausen), is at variance with the context (ἐπιπόθησ.).

ἐπιπόθ.] as in 2 Corinthians 7:7, longing after the apostle’s comin.

ζῆλον] not as in 2 Corinthians 7:7, where ὑπὲρἐμοῦ is associated with it, but, as is suggested by the following ἐκδίκησιν (punishment of the transgressor): disciplinary zeal against the incestuous person, not zeal in general for the honour of Christ, of the church, and of the apostle (Osiander). The six objects introduced by ἀλλά go logically in pairs, so that ἀπολογ. and ἀγανάκτ. relate to the disgrace of the church, φόβον and ἐπιπόθ. to the apostle, and ζῆλον and ἐκδίκησιν to the incestuous person, the latter, however, without the arbitrary distinction drawn by Bengel, that ζῆλον refers to the good of his soul, and ἐκδικ. only to his punishment for his transgression. ζῆλος is the zeal for bot.

ἐνπαντὶσυνεστήσατεκ.τ.λ.] a judgment on the whole matter added asyndetically, and so with the more weight (Dissen, ad Pind. Exc. II. p. 278): in every respect you have proved that you yourselves are innocent as regards the matter in question. By this the Corinthians are acquitted from positive participation in the offence; they could not be acquitted (comp. 1 Corinthians 5:6) of a negative participation (through toleration and connivance), but this is not further touched on in accordance with his purpose, which is here throughout conciliator.

ἑαυτούς] you for your own person, as opposed to the evil-doer.

On συνίστημι, with the accusative and infinitive, comp. Diod. Sic. i. 96, xiv. 45. Without εἶναι (comp. Galatians 2:18) the attribute would appear as purely objective, as the proved fact; with εἶναι the expression is subjective, denoting the relation from the standpoint of the readers. Comp. in general, Krüger, § 65, 1. 4.

The dative τῷπράγματι is that of ethical reference, expressing the matter with respect to which what is affirmed takes place. See Matthiae, p. 876; Bernhardy, p. 84. Comp. ἐλεύθεροι … τῇδικαιοσύνῃ, Romans 6:20; Matthew 5:8. This, at the same time, in opposition to Rückert’s assertion that ἐν (see the critical remarks) cannot be dispensed with. On the term itself, Bengel rightly remarks: “indefinite loquitur de re odiosa.” Comp. 2 Corinthians 2:5 ff.

2 Corinthians 7:12

2 Corinthians 7:12. Ἄρα] therefore, for how natural was it for the readers to think that Paul had written on account of the ἀδικήσαντος and on account of the ἀδικηθέντος! And yet the effect which that part of the Epistle had produced on themselves had showed them by experience that the apostle’s true purpose was quite different. So at least Paul represents the matter in a delicate and conciliatory wa.

εἰκαὶἔγραψαὑμῖν] if I have also written to you, i.e. have not kept silence, but have expressed myself by letter regarding the affair in question. Commonly a so, so sternly, or the like, is imported quite arbitrarily. Grotius indicates the right meaning: “si quid scripsi, nempe ea de re.” Comp. Osiander. Those who assume an Epistle now lost between our first and second (Bleek, Neander, Ewald, Beyschlag, Hilgenfeld) find it here alluded to. Comp. 2 Corinthians 2:3; 2 Corinthians 2:9. The apodosis already begins at οὐχεἵνεκενκ.τ.λ., and does not follow only at διὰτοῦτο (as Hofmann complicates it, without sufficient ground), the more especially as in this construction, according to Hofmann, διὰτοῦτο does not apply to 2 Corinthians 7:12—to which it must apply (comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:7)—but to 2 Corinthians 7:11.

οὐχ … ἀλλʼ] is not non tam … quam (Erasmus, Estius, Flatt, and many others), but non … sed. Paul denies absolutely that he has written that part of the Epistle on account of the two persons mentioned. In the nature of the case, no doubt, he had to write against the ἀδικήσας, and so indirectly in favour of the ἀδικηθείς; but the destined purpose of this letter, as Paul from the true light of his apostolic standpoint is aware, lay not in this aim affecting the two persons primarily concerned, but in its higher significance as bearing on the church’s relation to the apostle: ἀλλʼ εἵνεκεντοῦφανερωθῆναικ.τ.λ.

Regarding the form εἵνεκεν, see on Luke 4:18, and Kühner, I. p. 229, ed. 2. The ἀδικήσας is the incestuous person, and the ἀδικηθείς his father, as the party grievously injured by the son’s incestuous marriage with the step-mother. Theodoret, however, is quite arbitrary in supposing from this that he was already dead (καὶτεθνεὼςγὰρἠδίκητο, τῆςεὐνῆςὑβρισθείσης). See on 1 Corinthians 5:1. This explanation of the ἀδικηθείς seems from the relation of the two participles active and passive to be the only natural, and, in fact, necessary one. It is no objection that, in the first Epistle, nothing was said at length regarding the father and the wrong done to him (see only 2 Corinthians 5:1), since the censure and ordaining of chastisement to the transgressor of themselves practically contained the satisfaction to the injured father.

Comp. on the passive ἀδικ. in the sense of infringing marriage-rights, Plut. Anton. 9; Eurip. Med. 267, 314; and see in general on ἀδικεῖν in reference to adultery, Dorvill. ad Charit. p. 468; Abresch, ad Xen. Eph., ed. Locella, p. 222. Others (Wolf, Storr, Emmerling, Osiander, Neander, Maier) think that Paul means himself, in so far as he had been deeply injured in his office by that transgression.

But this mode of designating himself, set down thus without any more precise indication, would be strangely enigmatical, as well as marked by want of delicate tact (as if the readers were not ἀδικηθέντες, like Paul!), and no longer suiting what was already said in 2 Corinthians 2:5. The reference of τοῦἀδικηθέντος to the apostle himself would only be right on the assumption that allusion is here made to the state of things discussed by Paul in an intermediate letter now lost.[263] Others (Bengel, comp. Wolf also) think that the Corinthians are meant, but the singular is decisive against this view, even apart from the unsuitable meaning. Others have even referred τοῦἀδικησ. and ΤΟῦἈΔΙΚΗΘ. to the adulterer and the adulteress (Theophylact: ἀμφότεροιγὰρἀλλήλουςἠδίκησαν); others, again, have taken ΤΟῦἈΔΙΚΗΘ. as neuter (Heinsius, Billroth), equivalent to τοῦἀδικήματος. The last is at variance with linguistic usage; and what sort of delicate apostolic tact would it have been, to say that he had not written on account of the deed!

ἀλλʼ εἵνεκενκ.τ.λ.] According to Lachmann’s correct reading, as translated also by Luther (see the critical remarks): but because your zeal for us was to become manifest among you before God, i.e. but because I unshed to bring it about that the zealous interest which you cherish for us should be brought to light among you before God (a religious expression of uprightness and sincerity, 2 Corinthians 4:2). Comp. on the thought, 2 Corinthians 2:9; πρὸςὑμᾶς is the simple with you, among you, in the midst of you, in your church-life, not exactly in public meeting of the church (Ewald), which would have been indicated more precisely. Comp. 1 Corinthians 16:7. Rückert, without due ground, finds the meaning of πρὸςὑμᾶς so ambiguous that he prefers the Recepta, according to which the meaning is: because our zealous interest for you was to become manifest upon you before God. Comp. 2 Corinthians 2:4. Hofmann, who rejects both the Recepta and the reading of Lachmann, and prefers that of à: Τ. ΣΠΟΥΔῊΝὙΜῶΝΤῊΝὙΠῈΡὙΜῶΝΠΡῸςὙΜᾶς, takes this ΠΡῸςὙΜᾶς even in a hostile sense: “You are to show yourselves diligent for yourselves and against yourselves;” the strict procedure of the church against its adherents is on the one hand an acting for themselves (ὙΠῈΡὙΜῶΝ), and on the other hand an acting against themselves (πρὸςὑμᾶς).

This artificial interpretation is wrong, because, if πρὸς could mean contra here, Paul must have written at least ΤῊΝὙΠῈΡὙΜῶΝΤΕΚΑῚΠΡῸςὙΜᾶς, and because ΠΡΌς with ΣΠΟΥΔΉ (Hebrews 6:11; Herod. iv. 11. 1; Diod. xvii. 114) and with ΣΠΟΥΔΆΖΕΙΝ (Dem. 515. 23, 617. 10) has not that arbitrarily assumed sense, but the sense of an interest for some one, though this is more commonly expressed by περί. If the reading of à were right, it would have to be explained simply: in order that your zeal, in which you aim at your own good, should become manifest among you before God. Had Paul wished to express the singular meaning which Hofmann imports, he would have known how to write: ΤῊΝΣΠΟΥΔῊΝὙΜῶΝΤῊΝὙΠῈΡὙΜῶΝΤΕΚΑῚΚΑΘʼ ὙΜῶΝ.

[263] On this assumption Bleek is of opinion that Paul, in that lost Epistle, had rebuked the wanton defiance of the incestuous person towards him (comp. also Neander). According to Ewald, Paul is the ἀδικηθείς over against the man of reputation in the church, who had been endeavouring to deprive him of his repute in it by public accusations. Comp. Hilgenfeld in his Zeitschr. 1864, p. 169, 1865, p. 252, according to whom Paul is the ἀδικηθείς, because things had in the meanwhile come to a pronounced rejection of his apostolic repute. According to Beyschlag in the Stud. u. Krit. 1865, p. 254, Timothy is meant, who was personally insulted by a spokesman in the ranks of the opponents.

2 Corinthians 7:13

2 Corinthians 7:13. Wherefore, because I had no other purpose than this (which is now attained), we are comforted; and, to our consolation there was further added a very great increase in joy over the joy of Titus, et.

ἐπὶδὲτῇπαρακλ. ἡμ.] ἐπί used of supervening on something already in existence.[264] See Matthiae, p. 1371; Winer, p. 368 [E. T. 490].

περισσοτ. μᾶλλονἐχάρημεν] the joy of our consolation became still more increased. Comp. on 2 Corinthians 7:7. Regarding the strengthening of the comparative by μᾶλλον, see Pflugk, ad Eur. Hec. 377; Heind. ad Plat. Gorg. p. 679 E; Boissonade, ad Aristaen. p. 430.

ὅτιἀναπέπαυταικ.τ.λ.] does not specify the reason of Paul’s joy (Rückert, although with hesitation), for that is contained in ἘΠῚΤ. ΧΑΡᾷΤΊΤΟΥ, but is a more precise definition confirmatory of ΤῇΧΑΡᾷΤΊΤΟΥ; since indeed his spirit (2 Corinthians 2:13) is refreshed by you all. ἀναπέπαυται (comp. 1 Corinthians 16:18; Philemon 1:7; Philemon 1:20) is placed first as the pith of the thought; ἈΠΌ denotes the proceeding from, the origin: forth from, from the side of. See Bernhardy, p. 222; Kühner, ad Xen. Anab. vi. 5. 18.

[264] Yet it may also be taken simply of the state: in our consolation. But the explanation above is more in keeping with the climactic character of the discourse.

REMARK.

According to the Recepta διὰτοῦτοπαρακεκλήμεθαἐπὶτῇπαρακλήσειὑμῶνπερισσοτέρωςδὲμᾶλλονκ.τ.λ., the first ἐτί is through, properly on account of, just as in ἐπὶτῇχαρᾷΤίτου, so that the παράκλησιςὑμῶν is that which causes the παρακεκλήμεθα (Winer, p. 368 [E. T. 491]); but ὑμῶν is not, with Flatt, de Wette, and many others, to be explained: by the consolation, which you have afforded to me, but: “consolatione vestri” (Luther, Beza, Cornelius a Lapide, Bengel, and most), i.e. by your being comforted over the pain, which my Epistle caused to you, now by means of the happy change which it has produced among you (2 Corinthians 7:11). The two genitives, namely ὑμῶν and Τίτου, must be taken uniformly. On the state of the case delicately denoted by παρακλ. ὑμῶν Calvin aptly remarks: “Nam correctionis acerbitas facile dulcescit, simulatque gustare incipimus, quam nobis fuerit utilis.” Michaelis, on the other hand, objects that what follows will then be discourteous; but the seeming discourtesy disappears before the reason for Titus’ joy, and is amply outweighed by 2 Corinthians 7:14. According to Reiche, Comm. crit. I. p. 370, the παράκλησιςὑμῶν means the admonitio et castigatio given in the first Epistle, for the sharpness and severity of which Paul is now consoled by the happy result. But after παρακεκλήμεθα, according to the analogy, moreover, of ἐχάρημενἐπὶτῇχαρῇ, as well as in accordance with 2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 7:6, παράκλησις cannot be otherwise taken than as solatium.

2 Corinthians 7:14

2 Corinthians 7:14 f. Polite statement of the reason why the joy of Titus had rejoiced him so greatl.

εἴτιαὐτῷὑπὲρὑμ. κεκαυχ.] Comp. 2 Corinthians 9:2. Who could deny that Paul, both alone, of which he is thinking here, and in company with Timothy (at which ἡκαύχησιςἡμῶν then glances), had justly boasted before Titus (coram Tito) to the advantage of the Corinthians (ὑπὲρὑμῶν, comp. 2 Corinthians 9:2)? See 1 Corinthians 1:4 ff. He had, in fact, founded the church and laboured so long in it, and they were in his heart, 2 Corinthians 7:3.

οὐκατῃσχύνθην] This κατῃσχ. would have taken place, if Titus had experienced among you an opposite state of things, contradicting the truth of my καύχησις. But when he came to you: διὰτῶνἔργωνἐδείξατέμουτὰῥήματα, Chrysosto.

ἀλλʼ ὡςπάντακ.τ.λ.] Opposite of οὐκατῃσχ.: “as we have spoken everything truly to you, our boasting before Titus has also become truth.” No doubt Paul is here making a passing allusion to the attack on his veracity (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:17 ff.), and that in such a way as emphatically to confront it with, first, what was said by him (πάντα … ἡκαύχησιςἡμῶν), and then the persons to whom he spoke (ὑμῖν … ἡἐπὶΤίτου). Thus the first, and next to it the last, place in the arrangement of the sentence has the emphasis (Kühner, II. p. 625).

πάντα] quite general: we have lied to you in nothing. Chrysostom and Billroth think that it applies to all the good, which Paul had said of Titus to the Corinthians,—a purely arbitrary view, not to be guessed by any reade.

ἐνἀληθείᾳ] i.e. truthfully. Comp. Colossians 1:6; John 17:19; Pind. Ol. vii. 127. The adverbial use is genuine Greek (Matthiae, p. 1342; Bernhardy, p. 211), not a Hebraism (Rückert). See on John 17:19.

ἐλαλήσαμεν] locuti sumus, quite general, and not to be limited, at variance with the context, to doctrine (Emmerling, Flatt, Hofmann, and others, following Theodoret).

ἐπὶΤίτου] coram Tito. See Schaefer, Melet. p. 105; Fritzsche, Quaest. Luc. p. 139.

ἐγενήθη] se praestitit; it has shown itself as truth by experience. Comp. 2 Corinthians 1:19; Romans 3:4; Romans 7:13. Often so also in classic writers.

2 Corinthians 7:15

2 Corinthians 7:15. Καὶτὰσπλάγχνακ.τ.λ.] joyful result of ἡκαύχησιςἡμῶν … ἐγενήθη. A comma only is to be put after 2 Corinthians 7:14: and thus, therefore, his inmost heart (comp. 2 Corinthians 6:12) is attached to you in a still higher degree (than before his presence there) since he remembers, et.

εἰςὑμᾶςἐστίν] is for you. Comp. εἰςαὐτόν, 1 Corinthians 8:6; Romans 11:36.

ὑπακοήν] namely, towards him, Titus; for what follows is epexegetica.

μετὰφόβουκ. τρόμου] i.e. with a zeal, which fears lest it should not do enough for its duty. Comp. on 1 Corinthians 2:3.

2 Corinthians 7:16

2 Corinthians 7:16. Concluding result of the whole section, introduced vividly (without οὖν, comp. 2 Corinthians 7:12): I am glad that in every respect I have confidence on you.

ἐνὑμῖν] not as to you, which would have been expressed prepositionally by περί, ὑπέρ, ἐπί, πρός, ἕνεκα (εἰς, 2 Corinthians 10:1, is in an adverse sense), but Paul knows his consolation as closely resting on the readers; that is the causal nexus, in which his joyous frame of mind depends on them. Comp. Winer, p. 218 [E. T. 291 f.]; Soph. Aj. 1294: ἐνἐμοὶθρασύς,1071: ἐνθανοῦσινὑβριστὴςγένῃ, Eurip. Or. 754: ἐνγυναιξὶνἄλκιμος, Sir 38:23; Matthew 3:17.