A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Corinthians 11
A.T. Robertson Commentary
2 Corinthians 11
A.T. Robertson Commentary
2 Corinthians 11
"Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me." — 2 Corinthians 11:1 (ASV)
Would that ye could bear with me (οφελον ανειχεσθε μου). Koine way of expressing a wish about the present, οφελον (as a conjunction, really second aorist active indicative of οφειλω without augment) and the imperfect indicative instead of ειθε or ε γαρ (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1003). Cf. Revelation 3:15. See Ga 5:12 for future indicative with οφελον and 1 Corinthians 4:8 for aorist. Μου is ablative case after ανειχεσθε (direct middle, hold yourselves back from me). There is a touch of irony here.
Bear with me (ανεχεσθε μου). Either imperative middle or present middle indicative (ye do bear with me). Same form.
In a little foolishness (μικρον τ αφροσυνης). Accusative of general reference (μικρον τ). "Some little foolishness" (from αφρων, foolish). Old word only in this chapter in N.T.
"For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you [as] a pure virgin to Christ." — 2 Corinthians 11:2 (ASV)
With a godly jealousy (θεου ζηλω). Instrumental case of ζηλος. With a jealousy of God.
I espoused (ηρμοσαμην). First aorist middle indicative of αρμοζω, old verb to join, to fit together (from αρμος, joint). Common for betrothed, though only here in N.T. The middle voice indicates Paul's interest in the matter. Paul treats the Corinthians as his bride.
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ." — 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ASV)
The serpent beguiled Eve (ο οφις εξηπατησεν Hευαν). Paul's only mention of the serpent in Eden. The compound εξαπαταω means to deceive completely.
Lest by any means (μη πως). Common conjunction after verbs of fearing.
Corrupted (φθαρη). Second aorist passive subjunctive with μη πως of φθειρω, to corrupt.
"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or [if] ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with [him]." — 2 Corinthians 11:4 (ASV)
Another Jesus (αλλον Ιησουν). Not necessarily a different Jesus, but any other "Jesus" is a rival and so wrong. That would deny the identity.
A different spirit (πνευμα ετερον). This is the obvious meaning of ετερον in distinction from αλλον as seen in Ac 4:12; Galatians 1:6f. But this distinction in nature or kind is not always to be insisted on.
A different gospel (ευαγγελιον ετερον). Similar use of ετερον.
Ye do well to bear with him (καλως ανεχεσθε). Ironical turn again. "Well do you hold yourselves back from him" (the coming one, whoever he is). Some MSS. have the imperfect ανειχεσθε (did bear with).
"For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles." — 2 Corinthians 11:5 (ASV)
That I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles (μηδεν υστερηκενα των υπερλιαν αποστολων). Perfect active infinitive of υστερεω, old verb to fall short with the ablative case. The rare compound adverb υπερλιαν (possibly in use in the vernacular) is probably ironical also, "the super apostles" as these Judaizers set themselves up to be. "The extra-super apostles" (Farrar). Also in 12:11. He is not referring to the pillar-of Ga 2:9.
Jump to: