Vincent's Word Studies Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: With this grace (ἐν τῇ χάριτι ταύτῃ)
An obscure rendering, not much bettered by Rev. Grace is ambiguous. The reference is, of course, to the contribution as a work of love; χάρις being used in the sense of benefaction or bounty. Paul says that the brother was appointed as his fellow-traveller in the matter of this bounty; in the prosecution of this kindly act. For appointed, see on Acts 14:23; see on Acts 10:41. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. Avoiding this (στελλόμενοι τοῦτο)
The verb, which occurs only here and 2 Thessalonians 3:6, means to arrange or provide for. As preparation involves a getting together of things, it passes into the meaning of collect, gather: then contract, as the furling of sails; so, to draw back, draw one's self away, as 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Connect with we have sent, 2 Corinthians 8:18. Compare 2 Corinthians 12:17, 2 Corinthians 12:18, where it appears that he had been charged with collecting money for his own purposes. Abundance (ἁδρότητι) Only here in the New Testament. Lit., thickness, and so, of the vigor or strength of the human body or of plants. Thus Hesiod speaks of the ears of corn nodding in their thickness. Herodotus: "When the harvest was ripe or full grown, (ἅδρος), he (Alyattes) marched his army into Milesia" (i. 17). Homer of Patroclus: "His soul departed, leaving behind his strength (ἁδροτῆτα," "Iliad," 16. 857). Herodotus uses it of thickly-falling snow (iv. 31). In the Septuagint it is used of the rich or great, 1 Kings 1:9, princes (A.V., men of Judah); 2 Kings 10:6, great men. The A.V. abundance is better than Rev. bounty, which, though properly implying abundance, is currently taken as synonymous with gift. The reference is to the large contribution. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: We take thought (προνοούμενοι)
Beforehand (πρό). See on Romans 12:17. The words are from Proverbs 3:4, where the Septuagint reads, take thought for honorable things in the sight of the Lord and of men. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Confident boasting (ὑποστάσει)
Primarily something put under, foundation, ground; so substance (sub, stans, standing under), substantial quality: thence steadiness, confidence. Compare Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 11:1. In the Septuagint the word represents fifteen different Hebrew words. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: Go before
Notice the thrice repeated before, emphasizing the injunction to have everything ready before Paul's arrival. Make up beforehand (προκαταρτίσωσιν) Adjust. See on Matthew 4:21; see on Matthew 21:16; see on Luke 6:40; see on 1 Peter 5:10. Bounty (εὐλογίαν) Lit., blessing. In this sense only here in the New Testament. In the Septuagint indifferently of gift or blessing. See Genesis 33:11; Judges 1:15; Ezekiel 34:26. In Proverbs 11:25, liberal soul is rendered by Sept., εὐλογούμενη blessed. Whereof ye had notice before (προεπηγγελημένην) Rev., better, your afore-promised bounty. The bounty promised by you, or by me on your behalf. And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: Bountifully (ἐπ' εὐλογίαις)
Lit., with blessings. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:10, "plow in hope (ἐπ' ἐλπίδι)." But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. Purposeth (προαιρείται)
Read προῄρηται, perfect tense, hath purposed. Grudgingly (ἐκ λύπης) Lit., out of sorrow. Cheerful (ἱλαρὸν) Only here in the New Testament. See on the kindred ἱλαρότης cheerfulness, note on Romans 12:8. God loveth, etc. From Proverbs 22:9, where the Hebrew is, a kind man shall be blessed. Sept., God blesseth a man who is cheerful and a giver. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Always - all - in everything
Nearly reproducing the play on the word all in the Greek. Sufficiency (αὐτάρκειαν) Only here and 1 Timothy 6:6. The kindred adjective αὐταρκης A.V., content, occurs Philippians 4:11 (see note). The word properly means self-sufficiency, and is one of those which show Paul's acquaintance with Stoicism, and the influence of its vocabulary upon his own. It expressed the Stoic conception of the wise man as being sufficient in himself, wanting nothing and possessing everything. Here, not in the sense of sufficiency of worldly goods, but of that moral quality, bound up with self-consecration and faith, which renders the new self in Christ independent of external circumstances. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. He hath dispersed abroad (ἐσκόρπισεν)
As in sowing, 2 Corinthians 9:6. Psalm 112:9. Almost literally after the Hebrew and Septuagint. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Ministereth (ἐπιχορηγῶν)
Rev., supplieth. See on add, 2 Peter 1:5. Both minister bread, etc. Construe bread with supplieth, as Rev., supplieth seed to the sow and bread for food. Minister and multiply (χορηγήσαι καὶ πληθύναι) The correct reading is the future, χορηγήσει καὶ πληθυνεῖ shall supply and multiply. The fruits (τὰ γενήματα) Lit., what has been begotten or born. Used of men, Matthew 3:7, A.V., generation, Rev., offspring. Elsewhere of fruits, as fruit of the vine, Mark 14:25. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Liberality (ἁπλοτήτα) Better singleness or simplicity of heart. See on Romans 12:8. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
