John Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:6 - 1:6

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

John Bengel Commentary - 2 Corinthians 1:6 - 1:6


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

2Co 1:6. Εἴτε δὲ θλιβόμεθα, κ.τ.λ., and, whether we be afflicted, etc.) The meaning is this, εἴτε δὲ θλιβόμεθα (θλιβόμεθα) ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας· εἰτε παρακαλούμεθα (παρακαλούμεθα) ὑπὲρ κτλ, and whether we be afflicted (we are afflicted) for your consolation and salvation; or whether we be comforted (we are comforted) for your consolation, which operates in enabling you to endure the same adversities which we also endure, and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings (adversities), so also of the consolation. As in Php 1:16; Php 1:19, θλίψις and σωτηρία are opposed to each other; so here θλίψις, the affliction of the ministers of the Gospel, and the consolation and salvation of the Corinthians, are opposed to each other, in the same way as the death of the former [the ministers] and the life of the latter [the Corinthians], 2Co 4:12. Furthermore, as though consolation and salvation of the Corinthians depend on the affliction of the ministers of the Gospel; so the consolation of the Corinthians, and the hope of the ministers in their behalf, depend on the consolation of the ministers. The participle knowing depends on the verbs, we are afflicted, and we are comforted, understood. Thus the members of this period are consistent with one another, of which the various transpositions are noticed in the Apparatus.[1] We shall now explain some of these words in particular.-ΕἼΤΕ, whether) sometimes we are more sensible of adversities, sometimes of consolation.-ὑμῶν, your) The communion of saints, cultivated in the heart of Paul, Titus, the Corinthians, and other Churches, is admirably represented in this epistle, 2Co 2:3, 2Co 4:15, 2Co 6:12, 2Co 7:7; 2Co 7:13, 2Co 9:12. These hearts were, so to speak, mirrors reflecting the likenesses of each other; comp. Php 2:26-27.-παρακλήσεως, consolation) in the soul.-σωτηρίας, salvation) in fact [in reality].-τῆς ἐνεργουμένης) in the Middle voice, 2Co 4:12; Rom 7:5.-ΤῶΝ ΑὐΤῶΝ) the same, in point of number. The adversities [sufferings] of Paul were the same as those of the Corinthians, who were in the heart of Paul: 2Co 6:12; and the fruit of those sufferings redounded to their advantage, although they [the sufferings] had prevented him from coming to Corinth. A mutual participation [in sufferings and consolation] is declared.-πάσχομεν, ΚΑῚ Ἡ ἘΛΠῚς, we suffer, and the hope) Hope is usually joined with the mention of afflictions and patience, 2Co 1:10; Rom 5:3-4; Rom 15:4.-βεβαία, is stedfast) It obtained stedfastness through adversity.

[1] BD (Λ) Gfg Syr. later, place εἲτε παρακαλούμεθα ὑπὲρ τῆς ὑμῶν παρακλήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας after ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, and before εἰδότες. AC Vulg. Syr. Memph. omit καὶ σωτηριας. (Many MSS. of Vulg. have the et Salute), and place the rest of the words before τῆς ἐνεργουμένης. Rec. Text without good authority, places the words before καὶ ἡ ἐλπὶς.-ED.