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2Co_10:6. The reverse side of the αἰχμαλωτίζοντες κ . τ . λ . just expressed. Although, namely, the αἰχμαλ . πᾶν νόημα εἰς τ . ὑπακ . τοῦ Χριστοῦ is the result of the apostolic warfare on the whole and in general, yet there remain exceptions—persons, who do not surrender themselves captive to Christ’s dominion; there remains παρακοή in contradistinction to the ὑπακοή of others. Hence it is a part also of the complete work of victory to punish every παρακοή . And this, says Paul, we are in readiness to execute, so soon as, etc. Bengel well says: “Zelus jam adest; prometur, cum tempus erit.” Paul does not speak of the action of war-captives at variance with the duty of obedience, to which they are taken bound (Hofmann). For this the threat, which would amount, in fact, to the avenging of every sin, would be too strong, and the following ὅταν κ . τ . λ . would not be suitable. The παρακουοντες must still be enemies who, after the victory, do not submit to the victo.
ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχοντες ] in promptu habentes, also in Polyb. ii. 34. 2, and Philo, Leg. ad. Caj. p. 1011, 1029. See, in general, Wetstei.
ὅταν πληρωθῇ ὑμῶν ἡ ὑπακοή ] With this he turns to apply what was previously said of a general tenor ( ἐκδικ . πᾶσαν παρακ .) specially to the circumstances of the Corinthians, so that the conduct of the Judaistic teachers, who had intruded into Corinth and directed their doings against Paul, appears especially to be included in πᾶσα παρακοή ; and the Corinthian church, a part of which had been led astray by those persons, is represented as not yet completely obedient, but as in the course of developing this complete obedience. When this development shall be completed (which till then makes a claim on my patience, “ne laedantur imbecilliores,” Bengel), that ἐκδίκησις of every disobedience shall—even as respects the situation of things at Corinth—ensue.[301] Thus the apostle separates the interest of the church from that of the intruding seducers, and presents his relation to the church as one of forbearance and confidence, while his relation to his opponents is one of vengeance delaying its execution only for the sake of the church, which has not yet attained to full obedience—a wise manipulation of the Divide et impera!
How he means to execute the ἐκδικεῖν (Rom_12:19), he does not say; he might do so by ordaining excommunication, by giving them over to Satan (1Co_5:5), or by other exercise of his miraculous apostolic powe.
ὑμῶν ] is placed first with emphasis, to distinguish the church from those whose παρακοή was to be punished. Hofmann, without ground, denies this emphasis, because ὙΜῶΝ does not stand before ΠΛΗΡΩΘῆ . The emphasis certainly falls, in the first instance, on πληρ ., and next not on ἡ ὑπακ ., but on ὙΜῶΝ .
[301] Lachmann, by a full stop, separates ὅταν πληρ . ὑμ . ἡ ὑπακ . wholly from what goes before, and connects it with what follows, so that the meaning results: “When your obedience shall have become complete, see to what lies before your eyes.” A precept strangely conditioned! And why should we give up the common punctuation, which yields a delicate touch quite characteristic of Paul?