2 Corinthians 1:8

1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, ¹  regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, ²  that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.

2 Corinthians 3:14

3:14 But their minds were closed. ³  For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read. ⁴  It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away. ⁵ 

2 Corinthians 7:7

7:7 We were encouraged ⁶  not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement ⁷  you gave ⁸  him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, ⁹  your deep concern ¹⁰  for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever.

2 Corinthians 11:21

11:21 (To my disgrace ¹¹  I must say that we were too weak for that!) ¹²  But whatever anyone else dares to boast about ¹³  (I am speaking foolishly), I also dare to boast about the same thing. ¹⁴ 

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¹ tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1., where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).

² tn Grk “Asia”; in the NT this always refers to the Roman province of Asia, made up of about one-third of the west and southwest end of modern Asia Minor. Asia lay to the west of the region of Phrygia and Galatia. The words “the province of” are supplied to indicate to the modern reader that this does not refer to the continent of Asia.

³ tn Grk “their minds were hardened.”

⁴ tn Grk “the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant”; the phrase “they hear” has been introduced (“when they hear the old covenant read”) to make the link with the “Israelites” (v. 13) whose minds were closed (v. 14a) more obvious to the reader.

⁵ tn Or “only in Christ is it eliminated.”

⁶ 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.”

⁷ tn Or “comfort,” “consolation.”

⁸ 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.

⁹ tn Or “your grieving,” “your deep sorrow.”

¹⁰ tn Or “your zeal.”

¹¹ tn Or “my shame.”

¹² 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).

¹³ 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.

¹⁴ 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.