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Selected Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Co 3:1 |
Strong Concordance |
Do we begin [756] again [3825] to commend [4921] ourselves [1438]? or [1508] need we [5535], as [5613] some [5100] others, epistles [1992] of commendation [4956] to [4314] you [5209], or [2228] letters of commendation [4956] from [1537] you [5216]? |
| |
King James |
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
THE SOLE COMMENDATION HE NEEDS TO PROVE GOD'S SANCTION OF HIS MINISTRY HE HAS IN HIS CORINTHIAN CONVERTS: HIS MINISTRY EXCELS THE MOSAIC, AS THE GOSPEL OF LIFE AND LIBERTY EXCELS THE LAW OF CONDEMNATION. (2Co. 3:1-18)
Are we beginning again to recommend ourselves (Co2 5:12) (as some of them might say he had done in his first Epistle; or, a reproof to "some" who had begun doing so)!
commendation--recommendation. (Compare Co2 10:18). The "some" refers to particular persons of the "many" (Co2 2:17) teachers who opposed him, and who came to Corinth with letters of recommendation from other churches; and when leaving that city obtained similar letters from the Corinthians to other churches. The thirteenth canon of the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) ordained that "clergymen coming to a city where they were unknown, should not be allowed to officiate without letters commendatory from their own bishop." The history (Act 18:27) confirms the existence of the custom here alluded to in the Epistle: "When Apollos was disposed to pass into Achaia [Corinth], the brethren [of Ephesus] wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him." This was about two years before the Epistle,and is probably one of the instances to which Paul refers, as many at Corinth boasted of their being followers of Apollos (Co1 1:12). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Do we begin again - This is designed evidently to meet an objection. He had been speaking of his triumph in the ministry Co2 2:14, and of his sincerity and honesty, as contrasted with the conduct of many who corrupted the Word of God, Co2 2:17. It might be objected that he was magnifying himself in these statements, and designed to commend himself in this manner to the Corinthians. To this he replies in the following verses.
To commend ourselves? - To recommend ourselves; do we speak this in our own praise, in order to obtain your favor.
Or need we, as some others - Probably some who had brought letters of recommendation to them from Judea. The false teachers at Corinth had been originally introduced there by commendatory letters from abroad. These were letters of introduction, and were common among the Greeks, the Romans, and the Jews, as they are now. They were usually given to persons who were about to travel, as there were no inns. and as travelers were dependent on the hospitality of those among whom they traveled.
Of commendation from you - To other congregations. It is implied here by Paul, that he sought no such letter; that he traveled without them; and that he depended on his zeal, and self-denial, and success to make him known, and to give him the affections of those to whom he ministered - a much better recommendation than mere introductory letters. Such letters were, however, sometimes given by Christians, and are by no means improper, Act 18:27. Yet, they do not appear to have been sought or used by the apostles generally. They depended on their miraculous endowments, and on the attending grace of God to make them known. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Do we begin again
Rev., are we beginning. As if anticipating, the taunt so often repeated, that he had no commendatory letters, and therefore was forced to commend himself by self-laudation and by dishonest means. See Co2 4:2; Co2 10:12. You will say, "You are beginning again the old strain of self-commendation as in the first epistle." See 1 Corinthians in Co1 9:15-21.
To commend (συνιστάναι)
See on Rom 3:5. Some others. Others is superfluous. The reference is to certain false teachers accredited by churches or by other well-known teachers. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Do we begin again to recommend ourselves - Is it needful? Have I nothing but my own word to recommend me? St. Paul chiefly here intends himself; though not excluding Timotheus, Titus, and Silvanus. Unless we need - As if he had said, Do I indeed want such recommendation? |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Do we begin again to commend ourselves - By speaking thus of our sincerity, Divine mission, etc., is it with a design to conciliate your esteem, or ingratiate ourselves in your affections? By no means.
Or need we - epistles of commendation - Are we so destitute of ministerial abilities and Divine influence that we need, in order to be received in different Churches, to have letters of recommendation? Certainly not. God causes us to triumph through Christ in every place; and your conversion is such an evident seal to our ministry as leaves no doubt that God is with us.
Letters of commendation - Were frequent in the primitive Church; and were also in use in the apostolic Church, as we learn from this place. But these were, in all probability, not used by the apostles; their helpers, successors, and those who had not the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, needed such letters and they were necessary to prevent the Churches from being imposed on by false teachers. But when apostles came, they brought their own testimonials, the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. |
12 Now [1161] this [5124] I say [3004], that [3754] every one [1538] of you [5216] saith [3004], I [1473] [3303] am [1510] of Paul [3972]; and [1161] I [1473] of Apollos [625]; and [1161] I [1473] of Cephas [2786]; and [1161] I [1473] of Christ [5547].
27 And [1161] when he [846] was disposed [1014] to pass [1330] into [1519] Achaia [882], the brethren [80] wrote [1125], exhorting [4389] the disciples [3101] to receive [588] him [846]: who [3739], when he was come [3854], helped them [4820] much [4183] which had believed [4100] through [1223] grace [5485]:
17 For [1063] we are [2070] not [3756] as [5613] many [4183], which corrupt [2585] the word [3056] of God [2316]: but [235] as [5613] of [1537] sincerity [1505], but [235] as [5613] of [1537] God [2316], in the sight [2714] of God [2316] speak we [2980] in [1722] Christ [5547].
18 For [1063] not [3756] he [1565] that commendeth [4921] himself [1438] is [2076] approved [1384], but [235] whom [3739] the Lord [2962] commendeth [4921].
12 For [1063] we commend [4921] not [3756] ourselves [1438] again [3825] unto you [5213], but [235] give [1325] you [5213] occasion [874] to glory [2745] on [5228] our [2257] behalf [5228], that [2443] ye may have [2192] somewhat to [4314] answer them which glory [2744] in [1722] appearance [4383], and [2532] not [3756] in heart [2588].
27 And [1161] when he [846] was disposed [1014] to pass [1330] into [1519] Achaia [882], the brethren [80] wrote [1125], exhorting [4389] the disciples [3101] to receive [588] him [846]: who [3739], when he was come [3854], helped them [4820] much [4183] which had believed [4100] through [1223] grace [5485]:
17 For [1063] we are [2070] not [3756] as [5613] many [4183], which corrupt [2585] the word [3056] of God [2316]: but [235] as [5613] of [1537] sincerity [1505], but [235] as [5613] of [1537] God [2316], in the sight [2714] of God [2316] speak we [2980] in [1722] Christ [5547].
14 Now [1161] thanks [5485] be unto God [2316], which always [3842] causeth [2358] us [2248] to triumph [2358] in [1722] Christ [5547], and [2532] maketh manifest [5319] the savour [3744] of his [846] knowledge [1108] by [1223] us [2257] in [1722] every [3956] place [5117].
5 But [1161] if [1487] our [2257] unrighteousness [93] commend [4921] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316], what [5101] shall we say [2046]? [3361] Is God [2316] unrighteous [94] who taketh [2018] vengeance [3709]? (I speak [3004] as [2596] a man [444])
15 But [1161] I [1473] have used [5530] none [3762] of these things [5130]: [1161] neither [3756] have I written [1125] these things [5023], that [2443] it should be [1096] so [3779] done [1096] unto [1722] me [1698]: for [1063] it were better [3123] for me [3427] to die [599] [2570], than [2228] that [2443] any man [5100] should make [2758] my [3450] glorying [2745] void [2758].
16 For [1063] though [1437] I preach the gospel [2097], I [3427] have [2076] nothing [3756] to glory of [2745]: for [1063] necessity [318] is laid upon [1945] me [3427]; yea [1161], woe [3759] is [2076] unto me [3427], if [3362] I preach [2097] not [3362] the gospel [2097] !
17 For [1063] if [1487] I do [4238] this thing [5124] willingly [1635], I have [2192] a reward [3408]: but [1161] if [1487] against my will [210], a dispensation [3622] of the gospel is committed unto me [4100].
18 What [5101] is [2076] my [3427] reward [3408] then [3767]? Verily that [2443], when I preach the gospel [2097], I may make [5087] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547] without charge [77], that [1519] I abuse [2710] not [3361] my [3450] power [1849] in [1722] the gospel [2098].
19 For [1063] though I be [5607] free [1658] from [1537] all [3956] men, yet have I made [1402] myself [1683] servant [1402] unto all [3956], that [2443] I might gain [2770] the more [4119].
20 And [2532] unto the Jews [2453] I became [1096] as [5613] a Jew [2453], that [2443] I might gain [2770] the Jews [2453]; to them that are under [5259] the law [3551], as [5613] under [5259] the law [3551], that [2443] I might gain [2770] them that are under [5259] the law [3551];
21 To them that are without law [459], as [5613] without law [459], (being [5607] not [3361] without law [459] to God [2316], but [235] under the law [1772] to Christ [5547],) that [2443] I might gain [2770] them that are without law [459].
12 For [1063] we dare [5111] not [3756] make [1469] ourselves of the number [1469], or [2228] compare [4793] ourselves [1438] with [4793] some [5100] that commend [4921] themselves [1438]: but [235] they [846] measuring [3354] themselves [1438] by [1722] themselves [1438], and [2532] comparing [4793] themselves [1438] among [4793] themselves [1438], are [4920] not [3756] wise [4920].
2 But [235] have renounced [550] the hidden things [2927] of dishonesty [152], not [3361] walking [4043] in [1722] craftiness [3834], nor [3366] handling [1389] the word [3056] of God [2316] deceitfully [1389]; but [235] by manifestation [5321] of the truth [225] commending [4921] ourselves [1438] to [4314] every [3956] man's [444] conscience [4893] in the sight [1799] of God [2316].