13:1 This is the third time I am coming to visit 5 you. By the testimony 6 of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. 7
12:1 It is necessary to go on boasting. 20 Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
1 tn Grk “If boasting is necessary.”
2 tn Or “about the things related to my weakness.”
3 sn The judgment seat (βῆμα, bhma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a common item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city. Use of the term in reference to Christ’s judgment would be familiar to Paul’s 1st century readers.
4 tn Or “whether good or bad.”
5 tn The word “visit” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
6 tn Grk “By the mouth.”
7 sn A quotation from Deut 19:15 (also quoted in Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19).
7 tn Or “must do.” The words “of you” and “should give” are not in the Greek text, which literally reads, “Each one just as he has decided in his heart.” The missing words are an ellipsis; these or similar phrases must be supplied for the English reader.
8 tn Or “in his mind.”
9 tn Or “not from regret”; Grk “not out of grief.”
10 tn Or “not out of a sense of duty”; Grk “from necessity.”
9 tn Or “my shame.”
10 sn It seems best, in context, to see the statement we were too weak for that as a parenthetical and ironic comment by Paul on his physical condition (weakness or sickness) while he was with the Corinthians (cf. 2 Cor 12:7-10; Gal 4:15).
11 tn The words “to boast about” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, and this phrase serves as the direct object of the preceding verb.
12 tn Grk “I also dare”; the words “to boast about the same thing” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, and this phrase serves as the direct object of the preceding verb.
11 tn Grk “the ministry of condemnation”; translated as an objective genitive, “the ministry that produced condemnation.”
12 tn Grk “the ministry of righteousness”; translated as an objective genitive, “the ministry that produces righteousness.”
13 tn Traditionally, “abound.”
13 tn The traditional translation (“let the one who boasts boast in the Lord”) can be understood as merely permissive by the English reader, but the Greek verb καυχάσθω (kaucasqw) is a third person imperative.
15 tn Grk “Boasting is necessary.”
17 tn Or “what was fading away.” See note on “which was made ineffective” in v. 7.
18 tn Or “through” (διά, dia).
19 tn Or “what is permanent.”
19 tn Grk “by means of the eagerness of others.”
21 tn Grk “and now also complete the doing.”
22 tn Grk “just as the eagerness to want [it].”
23 tn Grk “so also it might be completed.” The passive construction was converted to an active one in the translation in keeping with contemporary English style.
24 tn Grk “completed from what you have.”
23 tn Grk “what we are in word.”
25 tn Grk “so that thanks may be given by many.” The words “to God” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. The passive construction has been converted to an active one for clarity, in keeping with contemporary English style.
27 tn The phrase is close to a recognized idiom for judging based on outward appearances (L&N 30.120). Some translators see a distinction, however, and translate 2 Cor 10:7a as “Look at what is in front of your eyes,” that is, the obvious facts of the case (so NRSV).