2Cor 9:1-5 | RWP | e4.org | Superfluous ( περισσον ). All the same he does write. "The writing" ( το γραφειν ) ought to be superfluous.

‏ 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

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.