2 Corinthians Chapter 4: Commentary

 

       1: Therefore seeing we have this ministry as we have received mercy we faint not 2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every one's conscience in the sight of God 3: But if our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 4: In whom the god of this eon [1] has blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 5: For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord [2] and ourselves your slaves for Jesus' sake 6: That the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 7: But we ^{[the Body of Christ]} have this treasure in earthen vessels that the transcendence of the power may be of God and not of us 8: We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair 9: Persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 10: Always bearing about in The Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in The Body ^{[Body of Christ] [3]} 11: For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh 12: So then death works in us but life in you 13: We having the same spirit of faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak 14: Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you 15: For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God 16: For which cause we faint not but if the outward of us perish yet the inward is renewed day by day 17: For our light affliction which is but for a moment works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 18: While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen [4] for the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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[1] 2 Corinthians 4:4 is a perfect example of English-translation-theology. The text does not say “god of this world.” The text says “god of this eon.” The word eon speaks to the times and seasons of God’s plan for humanity.

Scripture4All Interlinear: 2Corinthians 4

[2] One Lord One faith One baptism….Jesus is God, the LORD [YHWH].

[3] …for this reason many are weak and sickly among you, not discerning the Body of Christ.

[4] We trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding (that which we can see).

Commentaries on this blog are always ongoing. We welcome your insights into 1 Corinthians chapter 4. Please leave them in the comment section. 

2 Corinthians Chapter 1: Commentary

 

       1: Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timotheos our brother to the out-called of God which is at Corinth with all the saints which are in all Achaia 2: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ 3: Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort 4: The one consoling us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the consolation wherewith we ourselves are consoled by [1] the God 5: For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ 6: And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted it is for your consolation and salvation 7: And our hope over ^hyper you is steadfast knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings so shall ye be also of the consolation 8: For we would not brethren have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life 9: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead 10: Who delivered us from so great a death and does deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 11: You also helping together by prayer for us that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf 12: For our rejoicing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we behaved in the system and more abundantly to you-ward 13: For we write no other things to you than what you read or acknowledge and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end 14: As also you have acknowledged us in part that we are your rejoicing even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus [2]15: And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before that you might have a second benefit 16: And to pass by you into Macedonia and to come again out of Macedonia unto you and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea 17: When I therefore was thus minded did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose do I purpose according to the flesh that with me there should be yea yea and nay nay? 18: But as God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay 19: For the Son of God Jesus the Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea 20: For all the promises of God in him are yes and in him Amen ^{let it be so} unto the glory of God by us 21: Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God 22: Who hath also sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts 23: Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth 24: Not that we are being lords over your faith but are fellow-workers of your joy [3] for by faith you stand

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[1] 2 Corinthians 1:4 The Greek word , hypo, translated as “of.” The same word is translated as "over" in 2 Corinthians 2:11.

[2] 2 Corinthians 1:14 is a reference to standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ, which will take place in Heaven after the resurrection and catching up but before the 2^nd Coming and the Judgment of the Nations, which will take place on earth after the Battle of Armageddon. These events are covered in detail in the book, Bible Prophecy Simplified.

[3] 2 Corinthians 1:24 is one verse of many establishing that there are no hierarchies in the Christian faith. It is entirely relational, and not hierarchical, as is the Godhead.

Do you have insights, comments, or questions about 1 Corinthians Chapter 2? Leave them in the comment section.

1 Corinthians Chapter 16: Commentary

  

  1: Now concerning the collection for the saints as I have prescribed to the out-calleds of of Galatia,[1] even so do ye 2: Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay aside themselves in store as God has prospered that there be no collections when I come 3: And when I come whomsoever you shall approve by your letters them will I send to bring your generosity to Jerusalem 4: And if it be worthwhile that I go also they shall go with me 5: Now I will come to you when I shall pass through Macedonia for I do pass through Macedonia ^{Acts 16:9} 6: And it may be that I will abide yes and winter with you that you may send me forth on my journey where-so-ever I may go 7: For I will not see you now by the way but I trust to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit 8: But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost 9: For a great door and fruitful is opened to me and many ones opposing 10: Now if Timotheus come see that he may be with you without fear for he works the work of the Lord as I also do 11: Let not any therefore despise him ^{1 Timothy 4:12} but conduct him forth in peace that he may come to me for I look for him with the brethren 12: As touching [our] brother Apollos I greatly desired him to come to you with the brethren but his will was not at all to come at this time but he will come when he shall have convenient time [2] 13: Watch Stand fast in the faith Be strong [3], staunch 14: Do everything, your all, in love 15: I beseech you brethren you know the house of Stephana[4] that it is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints [5] 16: That you yield to [cooperate with] such[6] and to every one that works together and toils [7] 17: I am glad of the coming of Stephana and Fortunatus and Achaicus for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied 18: For they have refreshed my spirit and yours therefore be recognizing them that are such 19: The out-calleds of Asia salute you Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord with the out-called that is in their house 20: All the brethren greet you Greet ye one another with a holy kiss 21: The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand 22: If any love not the Lord Jesus Christ they are bound under a great curse ^anathema when our Lord has come when our Lord has come  ^{maranatha maranatha} [8] 23: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 24: My love be with you all in Christ Jesus Amen

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[1] A hierarchical translation of this verse would have been typical during times when the Pope was the premiere political power in Europe. Translators of that period, would naturally interpret biblical languages through filters of subjection to Popes, Queens, and Kings who wielded much more actual authority, then, than they do today. But, though times have changed, the bias continues as modern translators continue to follow suit, even when both the text and entire tenor of the the New Testament do not call for it. A predilection for power is the only explanation for hermeneutical discrimination in favor of a military-like power structure. Additionally, history records that, with few exceptions, it is only men who have been included in that power structure ^{Genesis 3:16}. Paul would have been contradicting the example of Jesus himself ^{John 13:14} if he began ruling over the churches. Peter wrote that leaders should do no such thing, but should rather lead by example ^{1 Peter 5:2-3}. Paul asked the churches to follow him only as he followed Christ. He commended the Church at Berea for searching the scriptures daily to judge everything he said by the Word of God ^{Acts 17:10-11} (as the scriptures commanded they do ^{Isaiah 8:19-20}). Tyndale, who died at the stake for bringing the scriptures to the people in English, did not translate this verse in a hierarchical fashion. He wrote, “As I have ordained in the congregations…see also Tyndale’s translation in the last verse of 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, ‘…not that we be lords over your faith but helpers of your joy…’”

[2] 1 Corinthians 16:12: Apollos did not have a problem saying no. Notice he did not say he “couldn’t” come. He said he “wouldn’t” come. It seems the only reason he gave for declining the request was that it was not convenient for him at this time. It is OK to say no.

[3] The old English phrase “quit you like men” simply means “Be Strong.” When men are speaking to one another, they might say something like, “Man up!” or “Be a man!” But Paul is writing to the out-calleds of Corinth, which included both men and women, so we know he was telling every believer in Corinth (not just the men) to be strong and staunch—steadfast.

[4] The Textus Receptus (Greek Text of Stephens 1550, as seen in the Berry Interlinear) uses the feminine name, Stephana. But Berry, when he renders it in English, deceptively adds an “s” to the end of the name, ^{See image below}, in an attempt to mask the feminine proper noun (although, even with the “s,” Stephana[s] is still feminine).

James Strong, also exhibits bias and aversion to the feminine name, Stephanas (Original Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, using the Textus Receptus, Elzevir 1624^[?])**, passing the word off as a proper masculine noun. Strong counters the feminine appearance of the name, by claiming the stand-alone root word is probably a derivative and contraction of the masculine name, Stephanoo (G4737). Among scholars, there is strong consensus on masking the feminine nature of the name, Stephana/Stephanas, by claiming it is, “perhaps,“ merely a nickname for the masculine Stephanoo or Stephanotos. The complementarian editors of the online Blue Letter Bible, go along with the deception. They admit to the etymology of Stephana, as a stand-alone root word, yet include the claim that it is “probably” derived from the name, Stephanoo (G4737). They mis-define the word as a, “proper masculine noun.” Rather than admit that Stephana is a woman, commentators prefer to appear ignorant of the fact that Stephana has always been a known female name. They falsely claim the word is a mystery. Stephana has always been a common name for Greek women, and in modern Greece, the name is still in use. It is the feminine form of Stephanos, just as in English, Stephanie is the feminine of Stephan, Michael is the masculine of Michaela, Roberta is the feminine of Robert, so on and so forth…. http://www.meaning-of-names.com/greek-names/stephana.asp

**Both Stephens’ and Elzevir’s texts are called, Textus Receptus, because, as Berry wrote, “In the main, they are one and the same.”

[5] There is one addiction permitted to believers, and that is serving others. Stephanas and her household were addicted to caring for the needs of believers.

[6] Paul pleads with the Church at Corinth to cooperate with the house of Stephana. Was that request necessary because Stephana was a woman? He reminds the Corinthians that she and her family are worthy of honor and cooperation.

1 Corinthians 16:16 is an example of the Greek word, hypotasso (G5293), being used in the sense of mutual submission and cooperation among believers (with emphasis on cooperating with those who were of the house of Stephana). To say the word, hypotasso, is used here to mean a military-like chain of command, with Paul at the head (similar to a Pope), would be an exaggeration. Also, the emphatic “yourselves,” as in submit “yourselves,” is not found in the Greek. It is a translator supplement which is often used in tandem with the word, hypotasso. The addition of the emphatic, “yourselves,” aids in conveying a false understanding of a martial hierarchy that does not exist in the New Testament.   

[7] The hierarchical flavor of the passage increases with translator addition of the words “with us” (works “with us” ^AV), creating a non-existent military hierarchy consisting of the apostles down. All translations do not add the words “with us,” in verse 16, but some do even worse, such as the NASB mistranslating the Greek word, toioutos, as “men,” making that translation read, “be in subjection to such men…” Some of those from the house of Stephana (a woman) may have been men, but the scriptures do not specify that.

[8] 1 Corinthians 16:22, is a reference to the pre-tribulational resurrection and rapture of those who are “in Christ.”

The Greek word, maranatha, meaning “our Lord has come,” is repeated at the end of this verse: maranatha maranatha. Two things will happen when our Lord shall come…For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and 1.) the dead in Christ shall rise first (resurrection) then  2.)  we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (rapture); and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Maranatha, Maranatha…The dead in Christ—Maranatha. And we who are alive and remain—Maranatha.

The anathema, the curse of The Great Affliction will bind those who will be left behind. The Great Tribulation is referred to in The Revelation 7:14, “These are the ones coming out of THE GREAT AFFLICTION.” The Greek is clear on this. The Great Affliction is the anathema that will follow on the heels of maranatha maranatha. The Great Affliction is synonymous with the time Jesus warned of in Matthew 24 (For then shall be great affliction such as was not since the beginning of the Kosmos to this time No nor ever shall be (again)). It is synonymous with the horrific time known as the Time of Jacob’s trouble. It is the curse contained in the flying scroll that Zechariah saw going forth.