2 Corinthians 1:17

1:17 Therefore when I was planning to do this, I did not do so without thinking about what I was doing, did I? ¹  Or do I make my plans ²  according to mere human standards ³  so that I would be saying ⁴  both “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

2 Corinthians 5:16

5:16 So then from now on we acknowledge ⁵  no one from an outward human point of view. ⁶  Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, ⁷  now we do not know him in that way any longer.

2 Corinthians 8:7

8:7 But as you excel ⁸  in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you ⁹  – make sure that you excel ¹⁰  in this act of kindness ¹¹  too.

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 ¹²  in the things they boast about.

2 Corinthians 12:7

12:7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, ¹³  so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble ¹⁴  me – so that I would not become arrogant. ¹⁵ 

[1:17]  ¹ tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer. This is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ question “did I?” at the end of the sentence.

[1:17]  ² tn Grk “the things that I plan, do I plan (them).”

[1:17]  ³ tn Grk “according to the flesh.”

[1:17]  ⁴ tn Grk “so that with me there should be.”

[5:16]  ⁵ tn Grk “we know.”

[5:16]  ⁶ tn Grk “no one according to the flesh.”

[5:16]  ⁷ tn Grk “we have known Christ according to the flesh.”

[8:7]  ⁹ tn Grk “as you abound.”

[8:7]  ¹⁰ tc The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] Ï lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex Jumwn en Jhmin agaph]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex Jhmwn en Jumin agaph) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (Ì⁴⁶ B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.

[8:7]  ¹¹ tn Grk “you abound.”

[8:7]  ¹² tn Grk “this grace.”

[11:12]  ¹³ tn Grk “an opportunity, so that they may be found just like us.”

[12:7]  ¹⁷ 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).

[12:7]  ¹⁸ tn Or “to harass.”

[12:7]  ¹⁹ 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.