Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 10:18 - 10:18

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Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 10:18 - 10:18


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

18. συνιστάνων (אBDFGMP 17, Orig.) rather than συνιστῶν (D3KL), from συνιστάω, a form which D3KL support in 2Co 4:2, 2Co 6:4, and which BD 17, 39 support in 2Co 3:1, where συνιστᾶν may be right, Excepting 2Co 3:1, the forms in -αω (ἱστάω, ἐξιστάω, κ.τ.λ.) may everywhere be rejected. WH. App. p. 168.

2Co 10:1 to 2Co 13:10. ANOTHER ASSERTION OF THE APOSTLE’S POSITION, AND A FINAL REBUKE AND WARNING TO HIS JUDAIZING OPPONENTS

This is the third main portion of the Epistle in the form in which it has come down to us. Reasons have been given elsewhere (Introduction § 7 and notes on 2Co 3:1, 2Co 4:2, 2Co 5:13, 2Co 7:8, 2Co 8:22, 2Co 12:20, 2Co 13:5) for adopting, as the best solution of various difficulties, the theory that these four chapters are part of another letter, and probably of the letter alluded to in 2Co 2:4 and 2Co 7:8. The change of subject and tone is so great and so sudden that it cannot easily be explained by a long pause in writing and a consequent complete change of mood. Nor can we adopt the hypothesis that in 1–9 the Apostle writes to the loyal many, and in 10–13 to the recalcitrant few. In both sections he is writing to the whole Corinthian Church (see notes on 2Co 10:2 and on 2Co 11:2; 2Co 11:8-9, and 2Co 12:13; 2Co 12:19). Moreover the change is in the wrong direction. Strong invective might calm down into what is conciliatory, and a man who had begun in a tone of great severity might a little later continue his letter with studied gentleness. But here, what is most conciliatory suddenly changes into strong invective. Having with great delicacy and tenderness restored happy relations between himself and the Corinthians, he abruptly launches out into reproaches and sarcasms, which must have gone far towards undoing the good results of the first nine chapters. And how unlike the usual tact of the Apostle to make, with diffidence and hesitation, an earnest appeal to his Corinthian flock for contributions to the Palestine fund, and then immediately to begin and lash them severely! If the reproaches and sarcasms were sent first, and then, when they had brought about submission, the conciliatory words were penned in a subsequent letter, all runs much more intelligibly. In thought and in tactics these four chapters come more naturally before than after the first nine chapters. Moreover, it is not easy to get the opening of 10 into reasonable relation to the end of 9. If we suppose that what preceded 10 has been lost, this difficulty disappears.

But, whether the form in which we have the Epistle is the original form or not, it is clear that these chapters have been dictated under the influence of strong feeling; and perhaps their contents are not carefully arranged. Yet there are changes of topics, and these changes should be noted. The greater part (2Co 10:1 to 2Co 12:10) is taken up with the contrast between S. Paul and his opponents, showing that he is a divinely appointed Apostle, while they are self-constituted and self-commended teachers. This again has two divisions: (i) the Apostle’s authority and extent of province (2Co 10:1-18); and (ii) the Apostle’s ‘foolish’ glorying (2Co 11:1 to 2Co 12:10), to which they have driven him (2Co 11:1-6), about working gratuitously (2Co 11:7-15), about his services and sufferings (2Co 11:16-33), about the revelation granted to him and its consequences (2Co 12:1-10). The remainder of the invective (2Co 12:11 to 2Co 13:10) is chiefly taken up with repetitions of particular points and warnings in connexion with his approaching visit. Bengel thus sums up the four chapters; In via sum ad vos, armatus virtute Christi. Ergo obedite.

2Co 10:1-18. THE APOSTLE’S AUTHORITY AND EXTENT OF PROVINCE