Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:8 - 6:8
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
2Co_6:8. It is usually supposed that διά here is not again instrumental, but local: (going) through honour and shame, or in the sense of the accompanying circumstances (Hofmann): amid honour and shame, we commend ourselves, namely, as God’s servants, 2Co_6:4. This is arbitrary on the very face of it; besides, in this way of taking it there is no mode of the apostolic self-commendation at all expressed. Hence Billroth was right in trying to keep to the instrumental sense: “as well honour as shame (the latter, in so far as he bears it with courage and patience) must contribute to the apostle’s commendation” But, on the other hand, it may be urged that, according to the words, it must be the shame itself (as also the δόξα itself), and not the manner of bearing it, which commends. Hence it is rather to be taken: through glory, which we earn for ourselves among the friends of God, and through dishonour, which we draw on ourselves among opponents; through both we commend ourselves as God’s servants. On the latter idea ( καὶ ἀτιμίας ), comp. Mat_5:11; Luk_6:22; 1Pe_4:14; also Gal_1:10. In a corresponding way also what follows is to be taken: through evil report and good report.
ὡς πλάνοι κ . ἀληθεῖς ] With this there begins a series of modal definitions, which furnish a triumphant commentary on the two previous statements, διὰ δόξης κ . ἀτιμίας , διὰ δυσφημ . κ . εὐφημ . In this case the order of the clauses (the injurious aspect being always put first) corresponds to the order of δυσφ . κ . εὐφημ . The first clause always gives the tenor of the ἀτιμία and δυσφημία ; the second clause, on the other hand, gives the actual state of the case, and consequently also the tenor of the δόξα and εὐφημία . Hence: as deceivers and true, i.e. as people who are both, the former in the opinion and in the mouth of enemies, the latter in point of fact. Accordingly, καί is not “and yet” (Luther and many others), but the simple and.
On the seven times repeated ὡς , Valla rightly remarks: “Paulina oratio sublimis atque urgens.” Comp. Augustine, de doctr. Christ. iv. 20.
On πλάνοι , which does not mean “erring” (Ewald), comp. Mat_27:63; 1Ti_4:1; Joh_7:12; and Wetstein.