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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:10 - 12:10
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2Co_12:10. Διό ] because, namely, in such circumstances with such a mood the power of Christ joins itself with m.
εὐδοκῶ ἐν ἀσθεν .] I take pleasure in weaknesses, bear them with inward assent and willingly, when they befall me. Comp. 2Co_7:4. “Contumax enim adversus tormenta fides,” Tacitus, Hist. i. 3; Seneca, de prov. iv. 4. ἀσθ . are here, as in the whole context, situations of human powerlessness, brought about by allotted experiences of suffering. Afterwards four, partly more, partly less special, kinds of such situations are adduced. Rückert, quite at variance with the context, understands diseases to be mean.
ἐν ὕβρεσιν ] passive: in cases of arrogant treatment, which I experience. On the plural, comp. Plato, Legg. i. p. 627 A; Dem. 522. 13; Sir_10:8. They bring into necessities ( ἀναγκ .); and persecutions drive into straitened positions ( στενοχ .), out of which no issue is apparent (comp. on 2Co_4:8).
ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ ] belongs neither to all five elements (so usually), nor simply to the last four points (Hofmann), but to εὐδοκῶ : for Christ’s sake, because by such sufferings His honour and His work are promoted. That Paul meant sufferings for Christ, was, indeed, self-evident. But he wishes to assign the specific motive for his εὐδοκῶ .
τότε δύνατός εἰμι ] inwardly through Christ’s power. See 2Co_12:8-9. τότε , then, is emphatic, here with the feeling of victoriousness. Comp. 1Co_15:54; Col_3:4; Hom. Il. xi. 191 f., 206 f.; Plato, Phil. p. 17 D, Conv. p. 192 B. On the idea, comp. the expression on of Moses in Philo, Vit. M. 1, p. 613 B: τὸ ἀσθενὲς ὑμῶν δύναμίς ἐστιν .