Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 1:8

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 1:8


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

8. Οὐ γὰρ θἐλομεν ὑμᾶς ἀγονεῖν. A frequent expression with S. Paul; 1Co 10:1; 1Co 12:1; Rom 1:13; 1Th 4:13. Comp. γνωρίζομεν ὑμῖν (2Co 8:1; 1Co 12:3; 1Co 15:1; Gal 1:11), and θέλω ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι (1Co 11:3; Col 2:1). These phrases introduce what is regarded as of special importance.

ὑπὲρ τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν τῆς γενομένης ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ. Concerning our affliction which came to pass in Asia. The Roman province of Asia, which had been bequeathed to the Romans by Attalus III. in B.C. 133, is meant. In popular language ‘Asia’ meant the coastlands of Asia Minor on the Aegean (see Hort on 1Pe 1:1). It included the Seven Churches (Rev 1:4). Comp. 1Co 16:19; Rom 16:5; 2Ti 1:15.

ὅτι καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ὑπὲρ δύναμιν ἐβαρήθημεν. That beyond measure (Gal 1:13), above strength, we were weighed down. The load in itself was an excessive one, and it was more than there was strength to sustain. Or καθʼ ὑπερβολήν may qualify ὑπὲρ δύναμιν, exceedingly above our strength, so that we utterly despaired even of life. In the N.T. ὑπερβολή is peculiar to this group of Epistles, where it occurs eight times; in the LXX. only once, in the phrase καθʼ ὑπερβολήν (4Ma 3:18), which S. Paul uses 2Co 4:17; 1Co 12:31; Gal 1:13; Rom 7:13. Note the strong compound ἑξαπορηθῆναι (here and 2Co 4:8 only).

What is the terrible affliction which befell S. Paul (and Timothy?) in Asia? Not the outcry against the Apostle raised by Demetrius at Ephesus (Act 19:23-41), for S. Paul’s life was scarcely in danger then; and, as soon as the uproar was over, he peacefully followed Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia (Act 20:1). And perhaps neither a shipwreck nor a severe illness would have been classed as ‘sufferings of the Christ.’ More probably he refers to the crushing news, which had been brought to him in Asia, of the state of things in Corinth, especially as regards repudiation of the Apostle’s teaching and rebellion against his authority. As he does not specify what it is, it must be something well known to the Corinthians. All that he tells them here is how severe it was. To the highly sensitive and tender-hearted missionary, this revolt of the Church which he had founded in one of the most important centres in the world, and which he loved so well, was overwhelming. He did not expect, and perhaps he hardly wished, to survive it. The news of it may well have produced an amount of suffering such as is here described. Nor is there any improbability in his letting the Corinthians know how their conduct had affected him, especially after Titus, who would tell them the nature of S. Paul’s affliction, had left him. It is part of the strong appeal which in this letter he makes to them; for it proves his intense interest and affection, and may convince them of the gravity of their conduct. It might well be counted among ‘sufferings of the Christ.’ Like those, it was the outcome of the conflict with evil, and (to a large extent) of conflict with Jewish hostility. When all the circumstances are considered, the language of 2Co 1:8-10 does not seem extravagant for such a trial. But a combination of personal and official troubles may be meant.