7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves 12 from everything that could defile the body 13 and the spirit, and thus accomplish 14 holiness out of reverence for God. 15
10:12 For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 31 10:13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits, 32 but will confine our boasting 33 according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, 34 that reaches even as far as you.
1 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative clause “who delivered us…” was made a separate sentence in the translation.
2 tn Grk “deliver us, on whom we have set our hope.”
3 tc Several important witnesses, especially Alexandrian (Ì46 B D* 0121 0243 1739 1881 pc Did), lack ὅτι ({oti, “that”) here, while others, most notably Western (D1 F G 104 630 1505 pc ar b syh Or Ambst), lack ἔτι (eti, “yet”). Most
4 tn Or “we all with unveiled faces beholding the glory of the Lord as in a mirror.”
5 tn Grk “from glory to glory.”
6 tn Grk “just as from.”
7 tn Grk “from the Lord, the Spirit”; the genitive πνεύματος (pneumato") has been translated as a genitive of apposition.
8 tn Or “may also be revealed.”
9 tn Grk “mortal flesh.”
10 sn The judgment seat (βῆμα, bhma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a common item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city. Use of the term in reference to Christ’s judgment would be familiar to Paul’s 1st century readers.
11 tn Or “whether good or bad.”
12 tn Or “purify ourselves.”
13 tn Grk “from every defilement of the flesh.”
14 tn Grk “accomplishing.” The participle has been translated as a finite verb due to considerations of contemporary English style, and “thus” has been supplied to indicate that it represents a result of the previous cleansing.
15 tn Grk “in the fear of God.”
16 sn See 2 Cor 1:4-7.
17 tn The words “with you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
18 tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “We were encouraged.”
19 tn Or “comfort,” “consolation.”
20 tn Grk “by the encouragement with which he was encouraged by you.” The passive construction was translated as an active one in keeping with contemporary English style, and the repeated word “encouraged” was replaced in the translation by “gave” to avoid redundancy in the translation.
21 tn Or “your grieving,” “your deep sorrow.”
22 tn Or “your zeal.”
23 tn Grk “I have not been put to shame”; the words “by you” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
24 tn Grk “just as we spoke everything to you in truth.”
25 tn The words “about you” are not in the Greek text but are implied.
26 tn Grk “gospel, and not only this, but.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
27 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the brother mentioned in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
28 tn That is, the offering or collection being taken to assist impoverished Christians.
29 tn The words “to help” are not in the Greek text but are implied (see L&N 25.68).
30 tn The phrase is close to a recognized idiom for judging based on outward appearances (L&N 30.120). Some translators see a distinction, however, and translate 2 Cor 10:7a as “Look at what is in front of your eyes,” that is, the obvious facts of the case (so NRSV).
31 tn Or “they are unintelligent.”
32 tn Or “boast excessively.” The phrase εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα (ei" ta ametra) is an idiom; literally it means “into that which is not measured,” that is, a point on a scale that goes beyond what might be expected (L&N 78.27).
33 tn The words “will confine our boasting” are not in the Greek text, but the reference to boasting must be repeated from the previous clause to clarify for the modern reader what is being limited.
34 tn Grk “according to the measure of the rule which God has apportioned to us as a measure”; for the translation used in the text see L&N 37.100.
35 sn Unskilled in speaking means not professionally trained as a rhetorician.
36 tn Or “my shame.”
37 sn It seems best, in context, to see the statement we were too weak for that as a parenthetical and ironic comment by Paul on his physical condition (weakness or sickness) while he was with the Corinthians (cf. 2 Cor 12:7-10; Gal 4:15).
38 tn The words “to boast about” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, and this phrase serves as the direct object of the preceding verb.
39 tn Grk “I also dare”; the words “to boast about the same thing” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, and this phrase serves as the direct object of the preceding verb.