Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 1:8
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Concerning our affliction (huper tēs thlipseōs hēmōn). Manuscripts read also peri for in the Koiné[28928]š huper (over) often has the idea of peri (around). Paul has laid down his philosophy of afflictions and now he cites a specific illustration in his own recent experience.
In Asia (en Asiāi). Probably in Ephesus, but what it was we do not know whether sickness or peril. We do know that the disciples and the Asiarchs would not allow Paul to face the mob in the amphitheatre gathered by Demetrius (Act 20:30.). In Rom 16:4 Paul says that Prisca and Aquila laid down their necks for him, risked their very lives for him. It may have been a later plot to kill Paul that hastened his departure from Ephesus (Act 20:1). He had a trial so great that “we were weighed down exceedingly beyond our power” (kath' huperbolēn huper dunamin ebarēthēmen). Old verb from baros, weight, barus, weighty. First aorist passive indicative. See note on 1Co 12:31 for kath' huperbolēn (cf. our hyperbole). It was beyond Paul’s power to endure if left to himself.
Insomuch that we despaired even of life (hōste exaporēthēnai hēmas kai tou zēin). Usual clause of result with hōste and the infinitive. First aorist passive infinitive exaporēthēnai, late compound for utter despair (perfective use of ex and at a complete loss, a privative and poros, way). There seemed no way out.
Of life (tou zēin). Ablative case of the articular infinitive, of living.