2 Corinthians 9:1-7
Superfluous ( περισσον ). All the same he does write. "The writing" ( το γραφειν ) ought to be superfluous.I glory ( καυχωμα ). Present middle indicative. I still am glorying, in spite of the poor performance of the Corinthians.
Hath been prepared ( παρεσκευαστα ). Perfect passive indicative of παρασκευαζω, to make ready, "stands prepared."
Stirred up ( ηρεθισε ). First aorist active indicative of ερεθιζω (from ερεθω, to excite), to excite in a good sense here, in a bad sense in Col 3:21, the only N.T. examples.
Very many of them ( τους πλειονας ). The more, the majority.
I sent ( επεμψα ). Not literary plural with this epistolary aorist as in 18, 22.
That ye may be prepared ( ινα παρεσκευασμενο ητε ). Perfect passive subjunctive in the final clause, "that ye may really be prepared," "as I said" ( καθως ελεγον ) and not just say that ye are prepared. Paul's very syntax tells against them.
If there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared ( εαν ελθωσιν συν εμο Μακεδονες κα ευρωσιν υμας απαρασκευαστους ). Condition of third class (undetermined, but stated as a lively possibility) with εαν and the second aorist active subjunctive ( ελθωσιν, ευρωσιν ), a bold and daring challenge. Απαρασκευαστος is a late and rare verbal adjective from παρασκευαζω with α privative, only here in the N.T.
Lest by any means we should be put to shame ( μη πως καταισχυνθωμεν ημεις ). Negative purpose with first aorist passive subjunctive of καταισχυνω (see on 7:14) in the literary plural.
That we say not, ye ( ινα μη λεγωμεν υμεις ). A delicate syntactical turn for what he really has in mind. He does wish that they become ashamed of not paying their pledges.
Confidence ( υποστασε ). This word, common from Aristotle on, comes from υφιστημ, to place under. It always has the notion of substratum or foundation as here; 11:17; Heb 1:3. The papyri give numerous examples (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary) of the word for "property" in various aspects. So in Heb 11:1 "faith is the title-deed of things hoped for." In the LXX it represents fifteen different Hebrew words.
I thought ( εγησαμην ). Epistolary aorist again. See Php 2:25 for the expression here.
Go before ( προελθωσιν ). Second aorist active of προερχομα. Go to you before I come.
Make up beforehand ( προκαταρτισωσ ). Late and rare double compound verb προκαταρτιζω (in Hippocrates). Only here in N.T. See καταρτιζω in 1Co 1:10.
Your afore-promised bounty ( την προεπηγγελμενην ευλογιαν υμων ). "Blessing" ( ευλογια ) literally, but applied to good deeds also as well as good words (Ge 33:11). Note third use of "pro" before. He literally rubs it in that the pledge was overdue.
That the same might be ready ( ταυτην ετοιμην εινα ). Here the infinitive alone ( εινα ) is used to express purpose without ωστε or εις το or προς το with the accusative of general reference ( ταυτην ). The feminine form ετοιμην is regular (1Pe 1:5) though ετοιμος also occurs with the feminine like the masculine (Mt 25:10).
And not of extortion ( κα μη ως πλεονεξιαν ). "And not as covetousness." Some offerings exhibit covetousness on the part of the giver by their very niggardliness.
Sparingly ( φειδομενως ). Late and rare adverb made from the present middle participle φειδομενος from φειδομα, to spare. It occurs in Plutarch (Alex. 25).
He hath purposed ( προηιρητα ). Perfect middle indicative of προαιρεομα, to choose beforehand, old verb, here only in N.T. Permanent purpose also.
Not grudgingly ( μη εκ λυπης ). The use of μη rather than ου shows that the imperative ποιειτω (do) or διδοτω (give) is to be supplied. Not give as out of sorrow.
Or of necessity ( η εξ αναγκης ). As if it were like pulling eye-teeth.
For God loveth a cheerful giver ( ιλαρον γαρ δοτην αγαπα ο θεος ). Our word "hilarious" comes from ιλαρον which is from ιλαος (propitious), an old and common adjective, only here in N.T.
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