2Cor 1:4-10 | RWP | e4.org | In all our affliction ( επ παση τη θλιψε ημων ). Θλιψις is from θλιβω , to press, old and common word, as tribulation is from Latin tribulum (roller). See on and . The English affliction is Latin afflictio from ad-fligere , to strike on. That we may be able to comfort ( εις το δυνασθα ημας παρακαλειν ). Purpose clause with εις and the articular infinitive with the accusative of general reference, a common idiom. Paul here gives the purpose of affliction in the preacher's life, in any Christian's life, to qualify him for ministry to others. Otherwise it will be professional and perfunctory. Wherewith ( ης ). Genitive case of the relative attracted to that of the antecedent παρακλησεως . The case of the relative here could have been either the accusative ην with the passive verb retained as in or the instrumental η . Either is perfectly good Greek (cf. ; ). Personal experience of God's comfort is necessary before we can pass it on to others.

‏ 2 Corinthians 1:4-10

In all our affliction ( επ παση τη θλιψε ημων ). Θλιψις is from θλιβω, to press, old and common word, as tribulation is from Latin tribulum (roller). See on Mt 13:21 and 1Th 1:6. The English affliction is Latin afflictio from ad-fligere, to strike on.

That we may be able to comfort ( εις το δυνασθα ημας παρακαλειν ). Purpose clause with εις and the articular infinitive with the accusative of general reference, a common idiom. Paul here gives the purpose of affliction in the preacher's life, in any Christian's life, to qualify him for ministry to others. Otherwise it will be professional and perfunctory.

Wherewith ( ης ). Genitive case of the relative attracted to that of the antecedent παρακλησεως. The case of the relative here could have been either the accusative ην with the passive verb retained as in Mr 10:38 or the instrumental η. Either is perfectly good Greek (cf. Eph 1:6; 4:1). Personal experience of God's comfort is necessary before we can pass it on to others.

The sufferings of Christ ( τα παθηματα του Χριστου ). Subjective genitive, Christ's own sufferings.

Abound unto us ( περισσευε εις ημας ). Overflow unto us so that we suffer like sufferings and become fellow sufferers with Christ (4:10f.; Ro 8:17; Php 3:10; Col 1:24).

Through Christ ( δια του Χριστου ). The overflow ( περισσευε ) of comfort comes also through Christ. Is Paul thinking of how some of the Jewish Christians in Corinth have become reconciled with him through Christ? Partnership with Christ in suffering brings partnership in glory also (Ro 8:17; 1Pe 4:13).

Whether ( ειτε )

--or ( ειτε ). The alternatives in Paul's experience (afflicted θλιβομεθα, comforted παρακαλουμεθα ) work out for their good when they are called on to endure like sufferings "which we also suffer" ( ων κα ημεις πασχομεν ). The relative ων is attracted from neuter accusative plural α to genitive case of the antecedent παθηματων (sufferings).

Our hope for you ( η ελπις ημων υπερ υμων ). The old word ελπις, from ελπιζω, to hope, has the idea of waiting with expectation and patience. So here it is "steadfast" ( βεβαια, stable, fast, from βαινω, to plant the feet down).

Partakers ( κοινωνο ). Partners as in Lu 5:10.

Concerning our affliction ( υπερ της θλιψεως ημων ). Manuscripts read also περ for in the Koine υπερ (over) often has the idea of περ (around). Paul has laid down his philosophy of afflictions and now he cites a specific illustration in his own recent experience.

In Asia ( εν Ασια ). Probably in Ephesus, but what it was we do not know whether sickness or peril. We do know that the disciples and the Asiarchs would not allow Paul to face the mob in the amphitheatre gathered by Demetrius (Ac 20:30f.). In Ro 16:4 Paul says that Prisca and Aquila laid down their necks for him, risked their very lives for him. It may have been a later plot to kill Paul that hastened his departure from Ephesus (Ac 20:1). He had a trial so great that "we were weighed down exceedingly beyond our power" ( καθ' υπερβολην υπερ δυναμιν εβαρηθημεν ). Old verb from βαρος, weight, βαρυς, weighty. First aorist passive indicative. See on 1Co 12:31 for καθ' υπερβολην (cf. our hyperbole). It was beyond Paul's power to endure if left to himself.

Insomuch that we despaired even of life ( ωστε εξαπορηθηνα ημας κα του ζηιν ). Usual clause of result with ωστε and the infinitive. First aorist passive infinitive εξαπορηθηνα, late compound for utter despair (perfective use of εξ and at a complete loss, α privative and πορος, way). There seemed no way out.

Of life ( του ζηιν ). Ablative case of the articular infinitive, of living.

Yea ( αλλα ). Confirmatory use as in 7:11, rather than adversative.

The answer of death ( το αποκριμα του θανατου ) This late word from αποκρινομα, to reply, occurs nowhere else in N.T., but is in Josephus, Polybius, inscriptions and papyri (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 257; Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary), and always in the sense of decision or judgment rendered. But Vulgate renders it by responsum and that idea suits best here, unless Paul conceives God as rendering the decision of death.

We ourselves have had within ourselves ( αυτο εν εαυτοις εσχηκαμεν ). Regular perfect of εχω, to have. And still have the vivid recollection of that experience. For this lively dramatic use of the present perfect indicative for a past experience see also εσχηκα in 2:13 (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 143f.; Robertson, Grammar, p. 896f.).

That we should not trust in ourselves ( ινα μη πεποιθοτες ωμεν εφ' εαυτοις ). A further purpose of God in affliction beyond that in verse 4. "This dreadful trial was sent to him in order to give him a precious spiritual lesson (12:7-10)" (Robertson and Plummer). Note periphrastic perfect active subjunctive of πειθω, to persuade.

In ( επ ), upon, both ourselves and God.

Out of so great a death ( εκ τηλικουτου θανατου ). He had considered himself as good as dead.

Delivered ( ερυσατο )

--will deliver ( ρυσετα ). Old verb ρυω, middle, ρυομα, draw oneself, as out of a pit, rescue. So Paul faces death without fear.

On whom we have set our hope ( εις ον ηλπικαμεν ). Perfect active indicative of ελπιζω. We still have that hope, emphasized by ετ ρυσετα (he will still deliver).