2 Corinthians

13:1-10

9. Paul proposes a visit to Corinth with some misgivings, 12:19-13:10

ii] Warning and admonition

Paul "now concludes with a stern warning and an earnest admonition. Paul's warning is that when he comes to Corinth this time he will show no leniency toward those members of the congregation whose practical conduct continues to belie their professed commitment to Christ, v2-4. His admonition is that, in advance of his arrival, the Corinthian Christians critically examine their own life as a community of faith, and then effect the needed changes, v5-9. The matter is summed up in v10, where Paul indicates why he is writing the present letter; to warn them of his determination to exercise authority when he comes and to ensure that it need not be used to punish wrongdoers, but only to build up the congregation", Furnish.

As Furnish notes, Paul's appeal was initiated at the beginning of chapter 10, but has moved sideways on a number of occasions. Now Paul finalizes his appeal to the Corinthian believers.

As is often the case in Paul's letters, he addresses a particular problem which is fully understood by the recipients of the letter and which therefore he does not spell out in detail. As a result it is often difficult for us to identify the actual nature of the problem addressed. It is obvious that, although the Corinthians as a whole have accepted Paul's apostolic authority (this is Titus' assessment of the situation), some members are resisting that authority. As already noted in this section of the letter, chapters 10-13, Paul seems to be having a problem with both outsiders and insiders. The outsiders are most likely the judaizers, members of the circumcision party, along with their sympathizers in the church at Corinth. Paul's letters to the Romans and the Galatians address the nomism promoted by the judaizers. See Barrett p28ff, Barnett p453ff. The insiders who question Paul's apostolic authority are probably those who have maintained their pagan ways (lax sexual practice, eating food offered to idols .....) and who are not impressed by Paul's stature as their apostle.

triton touto "this [will be my] third [visit to you]" - this third. "This third (adjective) time (substantive understood)." The first visit is referenced in Acts 18:1-8, and the second visit, the painful visit, in this letter, cf. 2:1.

ercomai pres. "will be my [third] visit" - I am coming. Probably a futuristic present, "I will be coming to you."

epi "-" - on, upon [mouth of two witnesses and three will every word be established].

stomatoV (a atoV) "[by] the testimony" - on mouth. ref. Deut.19:15, expressing the principle that every word must be substantiated on the evidence of multiple witnesses, in this case, multiple visits by Paul to Corinth. "On the evidence", Zerwick.

staqhsetai (iJsthmi) fut. pas. "must be established" - shall stand, be established, substantiated. Future indicative used as a categorical imperative, BDF#362. "Any charges must be proved true by at least two or three witnesses", CEV.

Given the positive report from Titus, as regards the "repentance" of the Corinthian believers, cf. chapter 7, it seems rather strange that Paul now writes so sternly concerning his intended dealings with ongoing sin in the fellowship. This is explained by some commentators by arguing that chapters 10-13 represent a separate letter sent by Paul to Corinth, see Barrett. Of course, we may simply be witnessing the mixed results of Titus' visit to Corinth - for the most part, the Corinthians had reaffirmed their submission to Paul as their apostle, but some individuals were still holding out. Paul states that when he arrives in Corinth, on this his planned third visit, he will deal with those who have lapsed (presumably returned to their lax sexual ways, see above), as well as those who have turned a blind eye to their behavior. On his second visit Paul had obviously warned the Corinthian believers that he would return to settle these issues and now he intends doing just that. Note, verses 2-4 are a single sentence in the Gk.

proeirhka kai prolegw (prolegw) perf. "I already gave you a warning" - I have said ahead of time and I am saying ahead of time. This verb "tell in advance" may mean here "to warn"; "I have warned (when I was with you the second time) and do now warn (now that I am absent)", Barrett.

parwn (pareimi) pres. part. "when I was with you" - being present. The participle is adverbial / temporal, as NIV. So also apwn "being absent [now]".

wJV ...... kai "-" - as [being present the second time] so [now being absent]. Correlatives, BAGD 897c.

to deuteron "the second time" - the second. Referring to Paul's second visit.

oJti "-" - Introducing a dependent statement expressing the content of the warning, "I warn that ...." Given the sentence structure, the warning is given on two occasions, "when I was with you" and "now", and to two groups, "those who sinned earlier" and "any of the others".

ean + subj. "on my return" - if [I come]. The conditional clause probably expresses an eventual condition, Zerwick#320, expressing a future eventuality, "whenever" (esp. with the aorist subjunctive), ref. BAGD 211b. "When I come this time I will show no leniency", REB.

eiV to palin "on my return" - again. "Another time" = "when I come again".

ou feisomai (feidomai) fut. "I will not spare" - I will not refrain. As of refraining from killing a captured enemy, so "spare".

toiV prohmarthkosin (proamartanw) dat.. perf. part. "those who sinned earlier" - to the ones having sinned previously. Participle as a substantive, present tense indicating ongoing action, "those who have continued in their former sins", Harris, cf. 12:21.

toiV loipoiV dat adj. "[any of] the others" - to [all] the rest, left. Participle as a substantive. It is unclear who these "others" are and what is actually the nature of their sin. Paul is possibly just deterring future sin, possibly even referring to "all the rest of the congregation", Furnish", but better that he is referring to those "who tacitly supported the habitual sinners against Paul's strong demands, but who themselves were not actually involved in the immorality", Barnett.

epei "since" - since, because. Causal, stating the reason (a "supplementary reason", Harris) why Paul is going to come down heavily on the sinners when he visits Corinth again. "Because you wish to have a proof that I am speaking for Christ"

zhteite (zhtew) "you are demanding [proof]" - you are seeking. The "you" must surely refer to the two groups mentioned in v2, although there are other possibilities. See above.

tou ....Cristou gen. "that Christ" - of the Christ. Usually taken as either an objective genitive, Harris, or subjective genitive, Meyer. Probably just adjectival, limiting the type of verification sought by the Corinthians, namely, a Christ who speaks through Paul type. Paul may be weak when it comes to his physical disabilities (the thorn in the flesh), but when it comes to the spiritual power of his ministry he is anything but weak, and this because of the empowering of Christ's word. The way Paul has already dealt with overt sin in the Corinthian congregation, and how he will deal with it when he visits again, "will in fact be a proof that I speak in the power of Christ", Phillips.

lalountoV (lalew) pres. part. "is speaking" - speaking. The participle is adjectival: "you are seeking proof/verification of the Christ who speaks through me."

en "through [me]" - in. Possibly local, "Christ is speaking in me", but better instrumental, "by means of me" = "through me", as NIV.

eiV uJmaV ..... en uJmin "[he is not weak] in dealing with you [but is powerful] among you" - toward you .... among you. "Christ is not weak in dealing with them", Barnett, "but mighty in their midst / within them", Barrett. The Corinthians have much to evidence the power of God in their midst, eg. spiritual gifts. Yet, as far as Paul is concerned, Christ's "power, through his agency, may be exercised to their disadvantage when he arrives in person in Corinth", Thrall, cf. Furnish.

kai gar "for to be sure ........ Likewise ..." - for indeed" - Expressing cause/reason explaining why the Corinthians can expect the exercise of Christ's power. Note, the construction is used twice, "for indeed ......... for we also ......", Harris.

ek + gen. "[he was crucified] in [weakness, yet he lives] by [God's power]" - out of, from. Note how the NIV, so also Bruce, give a different sense to the preposition in its two uses in this clause. Other translations also give different meanings to the preposition, eg. "out of weakness .... with the power of God", NJB. Yet, this is unnecessary. The sense is "through", "he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God", RV, ie. "under the conditions of", Tasker, or more particularly, "because of", Barrett. Christ was crucified because he chose the path of obedience under God for the sake of the lost, emptying himself for our sake, and Christ was raised because, under the power of God, "you can't keep a good man down!"

hJmeiV asqenomen en autw/ "we are weak in him" - As Christ's crucifixion expresses weakness, so Paul's thorn, and possibly his failure to deal with the sinners in Corinth during his last visit, expresses weakness.

alla "yet" - but. Adversative.

ek dunamewV (iV ewV) "by God's power" - out of, from. As above, "through" = "because of God's power". "God will grant him (Paul) such a measure of resurrection life as will suffice to deal with the situation in Corinth. In his weakness, God's power will be perfectly revealed", Barrett.

zhsomen sun autw/ "but we live with him" - Possibly "in him". Paul, identified with Christ's resurrection, exercises divine power on behalf of God, something the Corinthians need to consider.

eiV uJmaV "to serve you" - toward you. "In relation to you", Barrett.

Prior to his arrival at Corinth, Paul now encourages the Corinthian believers to critically examine their own life as a community of faith, and then restore discipline as necessary, v5-9.

peirazete (peirazw) pres. imp. "examine" - test. "Prove by examination", rather than the sense "put to the test / tempt."

eJautouV "yourselves" - Emphatic position. Instead of examining Paul and his credentials, the Corinthians need to examine themselves, prove their own standing before God.

ei + ind. "whether" - if. The conditional particle introduces a conditional phrase, "test if you are in the faith", although it can form a direct question "examine yourselves; are you living the life of faith?", REB, cf. BDF#440(3).

en + dat. "in [the faith]". Not "examine whether you are believers", although possibly as the verb to-be is present, "continue to adhere to Christ", but better "to make sure you are true to the faith", Cassirer.

ouk "[do you] not [realize]" - In a question this negation expects the answer "yes".

oJti "[do you not realize] that" - that. Introducing a dependent statement / direct question, as NIV.

en uJmin "[Christ Jesus is] in you" - in you. Not "with you / among you", but "in" as in "union with" = an integral relationship with. In the Gk. this fact is reinforced by the use of the reflexive pronoun, "do you not realize yourselves", and by the use of the intensified verb "thoroughly realize". The sense of Paul's words is somewhat difficult. He may be referring to the community, "do you not recognize yourselves as a people in whom Jesus Christ is present", NJB, following Chrysostom who took the view that through self-examination the Corinthian believers are able to verify the truth and therefore the truth of Paul's words. Yet, Paul may be speaking more on the level of the individual in union with Christ. Again, the issue of truth is probably in Paul's mind - the indwelling Christ confirms truth and thus confirms Paul's words.

ei mhti "unless, of course" - unless indeed, if perhaps, except if. "Unless you are counterfeits", Berkeley.

elpizw "I trust" - I hope.

oJti - "that" - that. Introducing a dependent statement, [i] the first of hoping and [ii] the second of perceiving/knowing. "I hope [i] that you will realize [ii] that we have been tested and not failed the test", Barclay.

gnwsesqe (ginwskw) fut. "you will discover" - you will know, discover, realize, recognize.

adokimoi adj. "failed the test" - [that we are not] unapproved, disqualified. "That Paul has proved himself to be an apostle", TH.

Having asked the Corinthians to examine their lives and, if necessary, restore discipline, Paul now expresses the hope in prayer that they "do not do any evil .... but that you may do the good." The "evil" is undefined, but has been referred to in various ways throughout chapters 10-13; see introduction above for the problems facing the Corinthian church. Paul's hope is that, prompted by this letter, the Corinthian believers will sort out their problems, and this irrespective of his own standing in the matter. Paul is not interested in confirming his own approval as God's apostle to the Gentiles by exercising apostolic discipline over wayward members. What matters is their own standing before God. Paul's hope/prayer and the stated qualifications make for a complex sentence.

mh poihsai (poiew) aor. inf. "[we pray to God] you will not do [anything wrong]" - not to do. The infinitive forms a dependent statement expressing the content of Paul's hope/prayer, as NIV. The subject of the infinitive is possibly "God", "that God may do you no harm", Lietzmann, but more likely "you" is the subject, "that you will not do anything evil", Junkins. The construction is a typical accusative infinitive, ie. "you", the subject of the infinitive, takes the accusative case.

iJna + subj. "[not] that [people will see]" - that [we may appear]. This hina clause is followed by a second hina clause "that you may do the good". It is possible that both form dependent statements expressing two more elements of Paul's hope/prayer, so Thrall, but it is more likely that they both form final clauses expressing purpose, namely, the purpose of the prayer, first a negated purpose, then a positive purpose, so Harris. "Our purpose is not that we should be seen to be passing the test, but that you should do what is right", Cassirer.

dokimoi adj. "that we have stood the test" - approved. The sense is somewhat obscure, but Harris is probably right when he says "the test is the proof of apostolic authority shown in his discipline of unrepentant sinners, a test he will gladly fail." Paul's authenticity as an apostle, his genuineness / approval, can be "validated by his displaying remarkable powers of inflicting punishment on moral delinquents", Thrall, and it is this approval / test of genuineness that he is happy to fail, in the sense of not having to inflict the punishment.

de "even though" - but, and. Here setting up a mild concessive clause; "even if somehow we might seem to have failed", Cassirer.

"For whatever powers we are endowed with, they are all in support of the truth, not in opposition to it", Cassirer. Paul is supporting his contention that he is not interested in confirming his own approval as God's apostle to the Gentiles by exercising apostolic discipline over wayward members.

gar "for" - Expressing cause/reason, explaining why it would be inappropriate to exercise apostolic discipline on the Corinthians in a situation where they have addressed and corrected the "wrong" in the church, even though by not exercising discipline the genuineness of Paul's apostolic credentials are not then verified.

thV alhqeiaV (a) "the truth" - The sense of "truth" is open to some debate: i] possibly the specific issues, "the facts", facing the Corinthian church referenced by Paul, so Chrysostom; ii] more generally "Christian purity of behavior", Harris, ie. "the very essence of what God wills and requires", Bultmann; iii] in the more particular sense of "the truth of the gospel", Barrett, Thrall, Furnish, Martin, Denny, Filson, Tasker; iv] even possibly "truth" as opposed to "lying / falsehood", "Paul speaks the truth and does not lie ... he is an apostle of Christ for whom gospel truth and moral truth are critical", Barnett.

Paul further supports his contention that he is not interested in confirming his own approval as God's apostle to the Gentiles by exercising apostolic discipline over wayward members. What Paul wants for the Corinthians is their "perfection", that they be "strong", strong in Christ, living the Christian life. If as a consequence Paul is shown to be "weak", that he does not gain the opportunity to authenticate his apostolic qualifications through godly disciple, all the better.

gar "-" - Expressing cause/reason, as for v8.

oJtan + subj. "whenever [we are weak you are strong]" - Forming a indefinite temporal clause.

de "but" - Adversative. "We are quite happy to be weak, provided you are strong", Barclay.

eucomeqa (ercomai) pres. "our prayer" - we pray, hope, wish.

katartisin (iV ewV) "perfection" - adequacy, qualification, perfection. Hapax legomenon, once only use in the NT. The verb expresses "to restore, fix, fit, make right, complete ..." and so therefore of the restoration of something to its former condition. The noun takes a number of meanings, but the sense "perfecting / restoring" fits here. Therefore, Paul prays, not so much for the "restoration of perfection", Zerwick, but simply for their "restoration" (rectifying their shortcomings), Harris, "repairing what is broken and restoring what is lost", Tasker.

Paul now concludes the larger section commenced at the beginning of chapter 10 and the final warning and appeal which he commenced in v5 of this chapter. He reminds them again why he writes these things / "this letter", Barclay; he writes "in order to build them up in keeping with the authority the Lord has given him", Barnett.

dia touto "this is why" - because of this, on this account.

grafw pres. "I write" - The present tense used to refer to the present letter, although sometimes he does use an aorist.

tauta "these things" - "As for my reason for writing to you like this", Cassirer.

apwn (apeimi) pres. part. "when I am absent" - being absent, being far away. Probably forming an adverbial clause / temporal, as NIV. "While I am away from you", NRSV; "before I come to visit you", Barclay.

iJna + subj. "that" - that [I may not treat with severity]. Forming a purpose/result clause, "in order that / so that".

parwn (pareimi) pres. part. "when I come" - being present. The participle again forming a temporal clause. "when I do arrive", Barclay.

mh apotomwV crhswmai (craomai) aor. subj. "I may not have to be [harsh]" - I may not treat [with severity]. "I may not, when present, exercise unsparing severity", Barrett.

kata + acc. "in my use of [authority]" - according to [the power, authority]. Obviously qualifying "I may not treat with severity", although Thrall is not so sure. The point is that the harsh exercise of authority lies within Paul's remit as an apostle; "I write this in my absence so that ..... I need not be severe in the exercise of the authority which the Lord has granted me", Berkeley.

moi dat. pro. "[the authority the Lord gave] me" - to me. Dative of indirect object.

eiV "for [building up]" - to. The preposition here takes a final sense expressing purpose, "in order to build up / for the purpose of edification, not in order to tear down / not for the purpose of destruction." "He writes these things sharply that he may not have to act sharply", Plummer. Possibly a little wider in that the preposition may express "the content and (as well as the) goal of apostolic authority", Kitzberger / Harris.

2 Corinthians Introduction

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