2 Corinthians 2:14

Apostolic Ministry

2:14 But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession ¹  in Christ ²  and who makes known ³  through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place.

2 Corinthians 4:7

An Eternal Weight of Glory

4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power ⁴  belongs to God and does not come from us.

2 Corinthians 4:13

4:13 But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in ⁵  what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” ⁶  we also believe, therefore we also speak.

2 Corinthians 5:18

5:18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 9:12

9:12 because the service of this ministry is not only providing for ⁷  the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God.

2 Corinthians 10:5

10:5 and every arrogant obstacle ⁸  that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey ⁹  Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:8

10:8 For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us ¹⁰  for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. ¹¹ 

2 Corinthians 11:10

11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine ¹²  will not be stopped ¹³  in the regions of Achaia.

2 Corinthians 12:19

12:19 Have you been thinking all this time ¹⁴  that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up. ¹⁵ 

2 Corinthians 13:11

Final Exhortations and Greetings

13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶  rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

[2:14]  ¹ tn Or “who always causes us to triumph.”

[2:14]  ² tn Or “in the Messiah.”

[2:14]  ³ tn Or “who reveals.”

[4:7]  ⁴ tn Grk “the surpassingness of the power”; δυνάμεως (dunamew") has been translated as an attributed genitive (“extraordinary power”).

[4:13]  ⁷ tn Grk “spirit of faith according to.”

[4:13]  ⁸ sn A quotation from Ps 116:10.

[9:12]  ¹⁰ tn Or “not only supplying.”

[10:5]  ¹³ tn The phrase “every arrogant obstacle” could be translated simply “all arrogance” (so L&N 88.207).

[10:5]  ¹⁴ tn Grk “to the obedience of Christ”; but since Χριστοῦ (Cristou) is clearly an objective genitive here, it is better to translate “to make it obey Christ.”

[10:8]  ¹⁶ tn The word “us” is not in the Greek text but is supplied. Indirect objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern English reader.

[10:8]  ¹⁷ tn Grk “I will not be put to shame,” “I will not be ashamed.” The words “of doing so” are supplied to clarify for the reader that Paul will not be ashamed of boasting somewhat more about the authority the Lord gave him (beginning of v. 8).

[11:10]  ¹⁹ tn That is, that Paul offers the gospel free of charge to the Corinthians (see 2 Cor 11:7).

[11:10]  ²⁰ tn Or “silenced.”

[12:19]  ²² tc The reading “all this time” (πάλαι, palai) is found in several early and important Alexandrian and Western witnesses including א* A B F G 0243 6 33 81 365 1175 1739 1881 lat; the reading πάλιν (palin, “again”) is read by א² D Ψ 0278 Ï sy bo; the reading οὐ πάλαι (ou palai) is read by Ì⁴⁶, making the question even more emphatic. The reading of Ì⁴⁶ could only have arisen from πάλαι. The reading πάλιν is significantly easier (“are you once again thinking that we are defending ourselves?”), for it softens Paul’s tone considerably. It thus seems to be a motivated reading and cannot easily explain the rise of πάλαι. Further, πάλαι has considerable support in the Alexandrian and Western witnesses, rendering it virtually certain as the original wording here.

[12:19]  ²³ tn Or “for your strengthening”; Grk “for your edification.”

[13:11]  ²⁵ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:8.