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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - 2 Corinthians 4:11 - 4:11
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11. ἀεὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς οἱ ζῶντες εἰς θάνατον παραδιδόμεθα. For alway we the living are being delivered unto death. No sooner is one rescue effected than the Apostle is handed over to death once more. He always goes about with his life in his hand; but then it is also in God’s hand, who does not allow it to be lost. Note ἀεί, which gives the idea of continuousness and is not frequent in S. Paul, taking the place of πάντοτε (2Co 4:9). For παραδιδόμεθα comp. the many passages in which this verb is used of Jesus being handed over to His enemies (Mat 10:4; Mat 17:22; Mat 20:18-19; Mat 26:20, &c.). The addition of οἱ ζῶντες heightens the paradox that life is a series of exposures to death: ‘we who live are constantly dying; we are ever a living prey to death.’ And as this is for Jesus’ sake, it is a bearing of the νέκρωσις τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. See Briggs, The Messiah of the Apostles, p. 122.
ἐν τῇ θνητῇ σαρκὶ ἡμῶν. Stronger than ἐν τῷ σώματι ἡμῶν. Even in the very seat of pain and decay and death the life of Jesus is made manifest. Just that part of man which most easily yields to persecution and suffering is able to manifest the life-giving power of Christ. Comp. Rom 8:17; Php 3:10; 2Ti 2:11; also Ign. Magn. v.