Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - 2 Corinthians 9:3 - 9:3
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
2Co_9:3. Connection: Although in regard to the collection I do not need to write to you, and that for the reason stated in 2Co_9:2, I have yet not been able to omit the sending of the brethren for this purpose, in order that, etc. Paul by this would direct attention not to the general object of this mission, but to the special one of having all things ready before his arrival. See what follows. On μὲν … δέ , which may often be translated etsi … tamen, comp. Xen. Anab. ii. 3. 10, and Kühner in loc. The same is more strongly expressed by μὲν … ὅμως δέ , Ellendt, Lex. Soph. II. p. 76, or μὲν … μέντοι , Viger. p. 536.
τοὺς ἀδελφούς ] Titus and the two others, 2Co_8:17 ff.
τὸ καύχημα ἡμῶν τὸ ὑπὲρ ὑμ .] on account of the following ἐν τῷ μέρει τούτῳ , which first adds the special reference to the general, is not to be understood of the special καυχᾶσθαι described in 2Co_9:2, but is to be taken generally: in order that that, of which we boast on your behalf ( καύχημα is here materies gloriandi, and not equivalent to καύχησις ), might not become empty (1Co_9:15), i.e. might not be found without reality in this point, in the matter of the collection,—if, namely, on our arrival it should be found that your benevolent activity had come to a standstill or become retrograde. See 2Co_9:4. In the addition ἐν τῷ μέρει τούτῳ (comp. 2Co_3:10) there lies an “acris cum tacita laude exhortatio” (Estius); for Paul has not a similar anxiety in respect to other sides of the καύχημα (comp. 2Co_7:4). Billroth considers ἐν τ . μέρει τ . as pointing to 2Co_9:4, and takes τὸ καύχημα κ . τ . λ . of the special boast in 2Co_9:2 : “in this respect, namely, inasmuch as, if Macedonians come with me … we … are put to shame.” Involved, because ἵνα καθὼς … ἦτε lies between; and at variance with the parallel ἐν τῇ ὑποστάσει ταύτῃ of 2Co_9:4.
ἵνα καθὼς κ . τ . λ .] forms, with the following μήπως κ . τ . λ ., a positive parallel to the previous negative ἵνα μὴ τὸ καύχημα … τούτῳ . Comp. on ἵνα repeated in parallel clauses, Rom_7:13; Gal_3:14; Gal_4:5.