2 Corinthians 2:1

2:1 So ¹  I made up my own mind ²  not to pay you another painful visit. ³ 

2 Corinthians 11:5

11:5 For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.” ⁴ 

2 Corinthians 11:18

11:18 Since many ⁵  are boasting according to human standards, ⁶  I too will boast.

2 Corinthians 11:24

11:24 Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. ⁷ 

2 Corinthians 12:8

12:8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.

2 Corinthians 13:6

13:6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! ⁸ 

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¹ tc Although usually δέ (de, “now”; found in א A C D¹ F G Ψ 0285 Ï lat) should take precedent over γάρ (gar) in textually disputed places in the corpus Paulinum, the credentials for γάρ here are not easily dismissed (Ì⁴⁶ B 0223 0243 33 1739 1881 al); here it is the preferred reading, albeit slightly.

² tn Or “I decided this for myself.”

³ tn Grk “not to come to you again in sorrow.”

sn Paul was not speaking absolutely about not making another visit, but meant he did not want to come to the Corinthians again until the conflict he mentioned in 2 Cor 2:4-11 was settled.

⁴ tn The implicit irony in Paul’s remark is brought out well by the TEV: “I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called ‘apostles’ of yours!”

sn The ‘super-apostles’ refers either (1) to the original apostles (the older interpretation) or (2) more probably, to Paul’s opponents in Corinth, in which case the designation is ironic.

⁵ sn Many is a reference to Paul’s opponents.

⁶ tn Grk “according to the flesh.”

⁷ tn Grk “forty less one”; this was a standard sentence. “Lashes” is supplied to clarify for the modern reader what is meant.

⁸ tn Or “that we are not disqualified.”