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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:5 - 4:5
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2Co_4:5. What his gospel ( τὸ εὐαγγ . ἡμῶν ) proclaimed, he has just described as that which is most glorious and sublime, namely, the δόξα τοῦ Χριστοῦ , ὅς ἐστιν κ . τ . λ . And that nothing else than this is the lofty contents of his preaching, he now establishes, and that under an antithetic point of view, which (comp. 2Co_3:1) takes into account hostile calumny. This antithetic aim so fully justifies the reference of the γάρ to what immediately precedes, and the emphasis laid on Χριστ . Ἰησ . as κύριον , as well as the contents of 2Co_4:6, so obviously confirms it, that we have no warrant for going back with γάρ to 2Co_3:1, even if we include 2Co_4:3-5 (Hofmann).
ἑαυτοὺς κηρύσσ .] In virtue of the contrast that follows (Kühner, ad Xen. Anab. iv. 8. 25), κυρίονς might be supplied (de Wette and others, also my own view hitherto), and with this 2Co_1:24 might be compared. But since it was self-evident that he did not preach himself as Lord, and this could not be attributed to him even by his opponents, however much they may have accused him of selfish conduct, it is better (comp. Hofmann) to let the expression retain its quite general character: not ourselves, not our own persons, their insight, standing, repute, and other interests, do we make the contents and aim of our preaching.
κύριον ] as Lord. In this lies the whole great confessional contents of his preaching, which absolutely excludes all desire for self-assertion; comp. Php_2:11; 1Co_12:3. This κύριον also is to be left quite in its generality,[193] so that the following ὑμῶν has no joint reference to it (Hofmann).
διὰ Ἰησοῦν ] This it is by which the relation of service to the readers ( δούλους ὑμῶν ) is conditioned. For on His account, not irrespectively of Him, we are your servants. Comp. 1Co_4:1. To do the will of Jesus, and to carry on His work—this it is which determines us to be your servants, i.e. to do our labour for your service; only in this respect, in this relation of service to you, do we preach ourselves, which, therefore, is something quite different from the ἑαυτ . κηρυσσ . before denied.
[193] The whole majesty of Christ (ver. 4) lies in this one predicate.