spirit . App-101 . faith . App-160 . It is the Genitive of Apposition ( App-17 ) faith being the Spirit's gift. 1 Corinthians 12:9 . according as , &c. = according to (Greek. kata . App-104 ) that which has been written. believed . App-150 . and. Omit, have I spoken = I spoke. Greek. laleo. App-121 . and therefore speak = therefore we also speak. read more
But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak.According to that which is written ... This was Paul's formal designation of what he was about to quote as a passage from the word of God; and again the carelessness of the RSV in murdering this clause should be noted but not excused. Of all the places to find a correction of their error ... it is in the Interpreter's Bible! "Paul cites the... read more
2 Corinthians 4:13. We having the same Spirit, &c.— Dr. Heylin reads this, We having the same spirit of faith [which David had] when he said I believed, and therefore have I spoken;—we also believe, &c. And he observes, that by the spirit of faith is meant the disposition which faith produces. So spirit of meekness, &c. Preachers who speak in this spirit of faith, that is to say, having in themselves a full conviction of the truths which they deliver, will through grace transfer... read more
13. Translate as Greek, "BUT having," c., that is, not withstanding the trials just mentioned, we having, &c. the same spirit of faith, according as it, &c.—Compare :-, on the usage of "spirit of faith." The Holy Spirit acting on our spirit. Though "death worketh in us, and life in you" (2 Corinthians 4:12), yet as we have the same spirit of faith as you, we therefore [believingly] look for the same immortal life as you [ESTIUS], and speak as we believe. ALFORD not so well translates,... read more
The contrast between the message and the messenger 4:7-15Paul presented many paradoxical contrasts involved in the sufferings and supports of the Christian to clarify for his readers the real issues involved in serving Jesus Christ."This passage, which is about suffering and death (2 Corinthians 4:7-12), stands in stark contrast with the theme of ’glory’ so brilliantly developed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:7 to 2 Corinthians 4:6, to which he also will return in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18." [Note:... read more
Why did Paul continue to serve God faithfully even though it meant suffering for him? First, Paul believed, as the psalmist did, that inner conviction about the truth must result in outward confession of that truth (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:16). Paul quoted the Septuagint translation of the Psalms, which represents the spirit of the original Hebrew here. The psalmist also spoke from a context of deliverance from suffering. He had trusted in God, and God had vindicated him (Psalms 115:1-11).... read more
4:13 written, (a-12) See Psalms 116:10 . read more
1-6. The messengers of this gospel are not afraid to proclaim it, for they preach Christ, who has revealed the glory of God.1, 2. Paraphrase. ’Having this glorious gospel to preach, we proclaim it boldly. (2) We have nothing to do with methods and practices which cannot bear the light (like those of your false teachers), for we neither seek to undo another’s work by unscrupulous hints and disgraceful insinuations, nor try to gain the favour of the Jewish Christians by false teaching about the... read more
(13) We having the same spirit of faith . . .—The “spirit of faith” is not definitely the Holy Spirit, but the human spirit in fellowship with the Divine, and therefore characterised by faith. And then, as if pleading that this faith must find utterance, he falls back on the words that are in his mind, almost as an axiom, from Psalms 116:10 : “I believed, and therefore I spoke.” It will be noted that the context of the words quoted is eminently in harmony with the feelings to which the Apostle... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
The life and work of a servant (4:1-18)God’s true servants do not avoid their responsibilities or use dishonest methods. They do not change the plain meaning of God’s Word to suit themselves, but teach that Word faithfully and directly (4:1-2). Not all will believe, because Satan blinds their minds, but true preachers remember always that the message they preach is Christ’s, not theirs. Then, when the hearers allow the light of that message to shine into their hearts, they see Christ as their... read more