2 Corinthians 1:3

Thanksgiving for God’s Comfort

1:3 Blessed is ¹  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

2 Corinthians 4:15

4:15 For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including ²  more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase ³  to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 9:12

9:12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing for ⁴  the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

2 Corinthians 11:12

11:12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals ⁵  in the things they boast about.

2 Corinthians 12:7

12:7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, ⁶  so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble ⁷  me – so that I would not become arrogant. ⁸ 

2 Corinthians 12:11

The Signs of an Apostle

12:11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison ⁹  to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

¹ tn There is no verb in the Greek text; either the optative (“be”) or the indicative (“is”) can be supplied. The meaning of the term εὐλογητός (euloghtos) and the author’s intention at this point in the epistle must both come into play to determine which is the preferred nuance. εὐλογητός as an adjective can mean either that one is praised or that one is blessed, that is, in a place of favor and benefit. The meaning “blessed” would be more naturally paired with an indicative verb and would suggest that blessedness is an intrinsic part of God’s character. The meaning “praised” would be more naturally paired with an optative verb and would suggest that God ought to be praised. Pauline style in the epistles generally moves from statements to obligations, expressing the reality first and then the believer’s necessary response. When considered as a whole, although a decision is difficult, the general Pauline style of beginning with statements and moving to obligations argues for the indicative. Cf. also Eph 1:3; 1 Pet 1:3.

² tn Or “that is abounding to.”

³ tn Or “to abound.”

³ tn Or “not only supplying.”

⁴ tn Grk “an opportunity, so that they may be found just like us.”

⁵ tc Most mss (Ì⁴⁶ D Ψ 1881 Ï) lack διό (dio, “Therefore”), but the widespread distribution and quality of mss which include it (א A B F G 0243 33 81 1175 1739 pc) argues for its authenticity. Internally, its case is equally strong in that its inclusion is grammatically rough (διό is hardly necessary to convey purpose, especially since Paul uses ἵνα [{ina, “so that”] next).

⁶ tn Or “to harass.”

⁷ tn The phrase “so that I might not become arrogant” is repeated here because it occurs in the Greek text two times in the verse. Although redundant, it is repeated because of the emphatic nature of its affirmation.

⁶ tn Or “I am in no way inferior.”