2 Corinthians 4:13

4:13 But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in¹ what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,”² we also believe, therefore we also speak.

2 Corinthians 8:7

8:7 But as you excel³ in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you⁴ – make sure that you excel⁵ in this act of kindness⁶ too.

2 Corinthians 10:15

10:15 Nor do we boast beyond certain limits⁷ in the work⁸ done by others, but we hope⁹ that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded¹⁰ among you according to our limits,¹¹

2 Corinthians 13:5

13:5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!¹²

¹tn Grk “spirit of faith according to.”

²sn A quotation from Ps 116:10.

³tn Grk “as you abound.”

⁴tc The reading “the love from us that is in you” is very difficult in this context, for Paul is here enumerating the Corinthians’ attributes: How is it possible for them to excel “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, because of this difficulty, several early scribes, as well as most later ones (א C D F G Ψ [33] Ï lat), altered the text to read “your love for us” (so NIV; Grk ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐν ἡμῖν ἀγάπῃ [ex Jumwn en Jhmin agaph]). The reading ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ (ex Jhmwn en Jumin agaph) is found, however, in excellent and early witnesses (Ì⁴⁶ B 0243 6 104 630 1175 1739 1881 co). As the harder reading it explains the rise of the other reading. What, then, is the force of “in the love from us that is in you”? Most likely, Paul is commending the Corinthians for excelling in deriving some inspiration from the apostles’ love for them.

⁵tn Grk “you abound.”

⁶tn Grk “this grace.”

⁷tn 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).

⁸tn Or “in the labors.”

⁹tn Grk “but we have the hope.”

¹⁰tn Or “greatly enlarged.”

¹¹tn That is, Paul’s work might be greatly expanded within the area of activity assigned to him by God.

¹²tn Or “unless indeed you are disqualified.”