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2Co_4:11. An elucidation, and therewith a confirmation of 2Co_4:10.
ἀεί (comp. 2Co_6:10) is distinguished from πάντοτε as respects the form of the conception, just as always or continually from at all times. Comp. the classical ἀεὶ διὰ βίου , Heindorf, ad Plat. Phaed. p. 75 D; also the Homeric οἱ ἀεὶ θεοί .
ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες ] brings out, by way of contrast, the ἀεὶ εἰς θάνατον παραδιδόμεθα : we who live, so that in this way the constant devotion to death looks all the more tragic, since the living appear as liable to constant dying. We are continuously the living prey of death! The reference of Grotius, “qui nondum ex hac vita excessimus, ut multi jam Christianorum,” is alien to the context. Further, it can neither mean: as long as we live (Calvin, Beza by way of suggestion, Mosheim, Zachariae, Flatt, de Wette), nor: who still, in spite of perils of death, remain ever in life (Estius, Bengel, Rückert), which latter would anticipate the clause of aim, ἵνα κ . τ . λ . In accordance with his view of 2Co_4:10, Osiander (comp. Bisping) takes it of the spiritual life in the power of fait.
παραδιδομ .] by the persecutors, 2Co_4:8 f.
ἐν τῇ θνητῇ σαρκὶ ἡμ .] designation of the σῶμα (2Co_4:10) as respects its material weakness and transitoriness, whereby the φανερωθῆναι of the ζωὴ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ is meant to be rendered palpable by means of the contrast. In ἐν τῷ σώματι , 2Co_4:10, and ἐν τῇ θνητῇ σαρκί , 2Co_4:11, there is a climax of the terms used. Rückert thinks, wrongly, that the expression would be highly unsuitable, if in what precedes he were speaking of nothing but persecutions. It was in fact the mortal σάρξ , which might so easily have succumbed to such afflictions as are described, e.g., in 2Co_11:23 ff.
ἵνα καὶ κ . τ . λ .] an emphatic repetition of the clause of aim contained in 2Co_4:10, with a still stronger prominence given to the element there denoted by ἐν τῷ σώματι ἡμῶν , on account of which ἐν τ . θν . σαρκὶ ἡμῶν is here placed at the end. There is implied in it a triumph. Comp. on the thought of 2Co_4:10-11, Ignatius, Magnes. 6 : ἐὰν μὴ αὐθαιρέτως ἔχωμεν τὸ ἀποθανεῖν εἰς τὸ αὐτοῦ (Christ’s) πάθος , τὸ ζῆν αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν .