2 Korintus 8:1--10:18
Konteks8:1 Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, 1 the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, 8:2 that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth 2 of their generosity. 8:3 For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, 3 8:4 begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping 4 the saints. 8:5 And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 8:6 Thus 5 we urged 6 Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, 7 so also he should complete this act of kindness 8 for you. 8:7 But as you excel 9 in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you 10 – make sure that you excel 11 in this act of kindness 12 too. 8:8 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. 13 8:9 For you know the grace 14 of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. 8:10 So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you 15 made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, 8:11 to finish what you started, 16 so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, 17 you can also complete it 18 according to your means. 19 8:12 For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself 20 is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. 8:13 For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. 8:14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, 21 so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, 8:15 as it is written: “The one who gathered 22 much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” 23
8:16 But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion 24 I have for you, 8:17 because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, 25 he is coming 26 to you of his own accord. 27 8:18 And we are sending 28 along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. 29 8:19 In addition, 30 this brother 31 has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift 32 to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help. 33 8:20 We did this 34 as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. 8:21 For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. 35 8:22 And we are sending 36 with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you. 8:23 If there is any question 37 about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers 38 of the churches, a glory to Christ. 8:24 Therefore show 39 them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you. 40
9:1 For it is not necessary 41 for me to write you about this service 42 to the saints, 9:2 because I know your eagerness to help. 43 I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours, 44 that Achaia has been ready to give 45 since last year, and your zeal to participate 46 has stirred up most of them. 47 9:3 But I am sending 48 these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready 49 just as I kept telling them. 9:4 For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated 50 (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you. 51 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution 52 you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift 53 and not as something you feel forced to do. 54 9:6 My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously 55 will also reap generously. 9:7 Each one of you should give 56 just as he has decided in his heart, 57 not reluctantly 58 or under compulsion, 59 because God loves a cheerful giver. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace overflow 60 to you so that because you have enough 61 of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow 62 in every good work. 9:9 Just as it is written, “He 63 has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.” 64 9:10 Now God 65 who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 9:11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, 66 which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, 9:12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing for 67 the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God. 9:13 Through the evidence 68 of this service 69 they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing 70 with them and with everyone. 9:14 And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you. 71 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 72
10:1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you 73 personally 74 by the meekness and gentleness 75 of Christ (I who am meek 76 when present among 77 you, but am full of courage 78 toward you when away!) – 10:2 now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving 79 according to human standards. 80 10:3 For though we live 81 as human beings, 82 we do not wage war according to human standards, 83 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, 84 but are made powerful by God 85 for tearing down strongholds. 86 We tear down arguments 87 10:5 and every arrogant obstacle 88 that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey 89 Christ. 10:6 We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, 90 whenever your obedience is complete. 10:7 You are looking at outward appearances. 91 If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we. 10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us 92 for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. 93 10:9 I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, 10:10 because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak 94 and his speech is of no account.” 95 10:11 Let such a person consider this: What we say 96 by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.
10:12 For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 97 10:13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits, 98 but will confine our boasting 99 according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, 100 that reaches even as far as you. 10:14 For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ. 101 10:15 Nor do we boast beyond certain limits 102 in the work 103 done by others, but we hope 104 that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded 105 among you according to our limits, 106 10:16 so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area. 10:17 But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. 107 10:18 For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.
[8:1] 1 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8.
[8:3] 3 tn Or “spontaneously.”
[8:4] 4 tn Or “of ministering to.”
[8:6] 5 tn A new sentence was started here in the translation and the word “thus” was supplied to indicate that it expresses the result of the previous clause.
[8:6] 7 tn The words “this work” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted and must be supplied from the context.
[8:7] 9 tn Grk “as you abound.”
[8:7] 10 tc The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] Ï lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex Jumwn en Jhmin agaph]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex Jhmwn en Jumin agaph) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (Ì46 B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.
[8:8] 13 tn Grk “by means of the eagerness of others.”
[8:11] 16 tn Grk “and now also complete the doing.”
[8:11] 17 tn Grk “just as the eagerness to want [it].”
[8:11] 18 tn Grk “so also it might be completed.” The passive construction was converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.
[8:11] 19 tn Grk “completed from what you have.”
[8:12] 20 tn The words “the gift itself” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Translators often supply an English phrase like “it is” (NASB) but in the context, Paul is clearly referring to the collection Titus was to oversee (2 Cor 8:4-7). Therefore there is no reason not to specify the referent (the gift) more narrowly for clarity.
[8:15] 22 tn The word “gathered” is not in the Greek text, but is implied (so also for the second occurrence of the word later in the verse).
[8:15] 23 sn A quotation from Exod 16:18.
[8:17] 25 tn The comparative form of this adjective is used here with elative meaning.
[8:17] 26 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
[8:17] 27 tn Or “of his own free will.”
[8:18] 28 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
[8:18] 29 tn Grk “the brother of whom the praise in the gospel [is] throughout all the churches.”
[8:19] 30 tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
[8:19] 31 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[8:19] 32 tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.
[8:19] 33 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).
[8:20] 34 tn “This” refers to sending the brother mentioned in 2 Cor 8:18 to Corinth along with Titus. The words “We did this” have no equivalent in the Greek text, but are necessary to maintain the thought flow in English. The Greek participle that begins v. 20 continues the sentence begun in v. 18 which concerns the sending of the other brother mentioned there.
[8:21] 35 sn An allusion to Prov 3:4.
[8:22] 36 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
[8:23] 37 tn Grk “If concerning Titus” (εἴτε ὑπὲρ Τίτου, eite Juper Titou); the Greek sentence opens with an ellipsis which must be supplied: If [there is any question] about Titus.”
[8:24] 39 tc The sense of this translation is attested by the fact that most of the later
[8:24] tn In the Greek text ἐνδεικνύμενοι (endeiknumenoi) is a present participle which is translated as an imperative verb (see BDF §468; ExSyn 650-52).
[8:24] 40 tn Or “our boasting about you.”
[9:1] 41 tn Or “it is superfluous.”
[9:1] 42 tn Or “this ministry,” “this contribution.”
[9:2] 43 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
[9:2] 44 tn Grk “concerning which I keep boasting to the Macedonians about you.” A new sentence was started here and the translation was simplified by removing the relative clause and repeating the antecedent “this eagerness of yours.”
[9:2] 45 tn The words “to give” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
[9:2] 46 tn The words “to participate” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
[9:2] 47 sn Most of them is a reference to the Macedonians (cf. v. 4).
[9:3] 48 tn This verb has been translated as an epistolary aorist.
[9:3] 49 tn That is, ready with the collection for the saints.
[9:4] 50 tn Or “be disgraced”; Grk “be put to shame.”
[9:4] 51 tn Grk “by this confidence”; the words “we had in you” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied as a necessary clarification for the English reader.
[9:5] 52 tn Grk “the blessing.”
[9:5] 54 tn Grk “as a covetousness”; that is, a gift given grudgingly or under compulsion.
[9:6] 55 tn Or “bountifully”; so also in the next occurrence in the verse.
[9:7] 56 tn Or “must do.” The words “of you” and “should give” are not in the Greek text, which literally reads, “Each one just as he has decided in his heart.” The missing words are an ellipsis; these or similar phrases must be supplied for the English reader.
[9:7] 58 tn Or “not from regret”; Grk “not out of grief.”
[9:7] 59 tn Or “not out of a sense of duty”; Grk “from necessity.”
[9:8] 61 tn Or “so that by having enough.” The Greek participle can be translated as a participle of cause (“because you have enough”) or means (“by having enough”).
[9:9] 63 sn He in the quotation refers to the righteous person.
[9:9] 64 sn A quotation from Ps 112:9.
[9:10] 65 tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[9:11] 66 tn Grk “in every way for every generosity,” or “he will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times” (L&N 57.29).
[9:12] 67 tn Or “not only supplying.”
[9:13] 68 tn Or “proof,” or perhaps “testing” (NRSV).
[9:13] 70 tn Or “your partnership”; Grk “your fellowship.”
[9:14] 71 tn Grk “the extraordinary grace of God to you”; the point is that God has given or shown grace to the Corinthians.
[9:15] 72 tn “Let us thank God for his gift which cannot be described with words” (L&N 33.202).
[10:1] 73 tn The Greek pronoun (“you”) is plural.
[10:1] 74 tn The word “personally” is supplied to reflect the force of the Greek intensive pronoun αὐτός (autos) at the beginning of the verse.
[10:1] 75 tn Or “leniency and clemency.” D. Walker, “Paul’s Offer of Leniency of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:1): Populist Ideology and Rhetoric in a Pauline Letter Fragment (2 Cor 10:1-13:10)” (Ph.D. diss., University of Chicago, 1998), argues for this alternative translation for three main reasons: (1) When the two Greek nouns πραΰτης and ἐπιείκεια (prauth" and ejpieikeia) are used together, 90% of the time the nuance is “leniency and clemency.” (2) “Leniency and clemency” has a military connotation, which is precisely what appears in the following verses. (3) 2 Cor 10-13 speaks of Paul’s sparing use of his authority, which points to the nuance of “leniency and clemency.”
[10:1] 76 tn Or “who lack confidence.”
[10:1] 77 tn Or “when face to face with.”
[10:2] 79 tn Grk “consider us as walking.”
[10:2] 80 tn Grk “according to the flesh.”
[10:3] 82 tn Grk “in the flesh.”
[10:3] 83 tn Grk “according to the flesh.”
[10:4] 84 tn Grk “are not fleshly [weapons].” The repetition of the word “warfare” does not occur in the Greek text, but is supplied for clarity.
[10:4] 85 tn Or “but (are) divinely powerful,” “but they have divine power,” or “but are powerful for God’s [service]”; Grk “but are powerful to God.”
[10:4] 86 sn Ultimately Paul is referring here to the false arguments of his opponents, calling them figuratively “strongholds.” This Greek word (ὀχύρωμα, ocurwma) is used only here in the NT.
[10:4] 87 tn Or “speculations.”
[10:5] 88 tn The phrase “every arrogant obstacle” could be translated simply “all arrogance” (so L&N 88.207).
[10:5] 89 tn Grk “to the obedience of Christ”; but since Χριστοῦ (Cristou) is clearly an objective genitive here, it is better to translate “to make it obey Christ.”
[10:6] 90 tn Or “punish all disobedience.”
[10:7] 91 tn The phrase is close to a recognized idiom for judging based on outward appearances (L&N 30.120). Some translators see a distinction, however, and translate 2 Cor 10:7a as “Look at what is in front of your eyes,” that is, the obvious facts of the case (so NRSV).
[10:8] 92 tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.
[10:8] 93 tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).
[10:10] 94 tn Or “unimpressive.”
[10:10] 95 tn Or “is contemptible”; Grk “is despised.”
[10:11] 96 tn Grk “what we are in word.”
[10:12] 97 tn Or “they are unintelligent.”
[10:13] 98 tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).
[10:13] 99 tn The words “will confine our boasting” are not in the Greek text, but the reference to boasting must be repeated from the previous clause to clarify for the modern reader what is being limited.
[10:13] 100 tn Grk “according to the measure of the rule which God has apportioned to us as a measure”; for the translation used in the text see L&N 37.100.
[10:14] 101 tn Grk “with the gospel of Christ,” but since Χριστοῦ (Cristou) is clearly an objective genitive here, it is better to translate “with the gospel about Christ.”
[10:15] 102 tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).
[10:15] 103 tn Or “in the labors.”
[10:15] 104 tn Grk “but we have the hope.”
[10:15] 105 tn Or “greatly enlarged.”
[10:15] 106 tn That is, Paul’s work might be greatly expanded within the area of activity assigned to him by God.
[10:17] 107 tn The traditional translation (“let the one who boasts boast in the Lord”) can be understood as merely permissive by the English reader, but the Greek verb καυχάσθω (kaucasqw) is a third person imperative.
[10:17] sn A quotation from Jer 9:24 (also quoted in 1 Cor 1:31).
