1
Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς διὰ τῆς πραΰτητος καὶ ἐπιεικείας τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς κατὰ πρόσωπον μὲν ταπεινὸς ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀπὼν δὲ θαρρῶ εἰς ὑμᾶς·
Now I, Paul, myself appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am lowly in presence among you but bold toward you when absent —
An emphatic, self-naming opening (Αὐτὸς … ἐγὼ Παῦλος) marks the turn into the letter's final defense (chs. 10–13); the appeal is grounded paradoxically in Christ's own meekness, even as Paul concedes the charge that he is meek face-to-face but bold from afar.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ΑὐτὸςmyselfNominativeintensive pronoun (with subject)αὐτός: 'self'; the intensive 'I myself' throws full personal weight behind the appeal — Paul in his own person.
δὲnowtransitional conjunctionδέ: mild adversative/transitional; signals the shift to the new and sharper section of the letter.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativeapposition to ἐγώΠαῦλος: the apostle names himself by name — solemn and personal, as in confrontational passages (cf. Gal 5:2).
παρακαλῶI appeal/urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ customary/performative presentπαρακαλέω: 'call alongside, exhort, entreat'; not a command but a pastoral plea — the gentler register Paul prefers.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
διὰbypreposition + genitive (means/basis)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πραΰτητοςmeeknessGenitiveobject of διά (basis of appeal)πραΰτης: 'gentleness, meekness'; strength held under control — the disposition of Christ himself (Matt 11:29), the very ground of Paul's plea.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιεικείαςgentleness/forbearanceGenitiveobject of διά (coordinate)ἐπιείκεια: 'considerateness, clemency, sweet reasonableness'; the yielding fairness that does not insist on the letter of one's rights.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveΧριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; the meekness and gentleness belong to and characterize Christ — Paul's model and warrant.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (refers to ἐγώ)
κατὰin/according topreposition + accusative (reference)
πρόσωπονpresence/faceAccusativeobject of κατά (κατὰ πρόσωπον = 'face-to-face')πρόσωπον: 'face, presence'; κατὰ πρόσωπον = 'in person, face to face' — Paul's bearing when actually present.
μὲνon the one handparticle (correlative with δέ)μέν: sets up the contrast answered by δέ — 'lowly when present … but bold when absent.'
ταπεινὸςlowly/humbleNominativepredicate adjective (copula implied)ταπεινός: 'low, humble'; here voiced as the critics' jibe — Paul is 'unimpressive, cringing' in person (cf. v.10).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)
ἀπὼνbeing absentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἄπειμιadverbial (temporal/concessive) participle→ present (concurrent)ἄπειμι: 'be away, be absent' (ἀπό + εἰμί); the antithesis to παρών — Paul's stance when at a distance.
δὲbutadversative (answers μέν)
θαρρῶI am boldPres Act Indic 1 Sg · θαρρέωmain verb→ customary presentθαρρέω: 'be courageous, confident, bold'; the boldness the opponents mock as mere bluster-by-letter (v.10).
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (direction)
2
δέομαι δὲ τὸ μὴ παρὼν θαρρῆσαι τῇ πεποιθήσει ᾗ λογίζομαι τολμῆσαι ἐπί τινας τοὺς λογιζομένους ἡμᾶς ὡς κατὰ σάρκα περιπατοῦντας.
I beg that when present I may not have to be bold with the confidence with which I reckon to dare against some who reckon of us as walking according to the flesh.
Paul makes the appeal concrete: he would rather not have to deploy, in person, the very boldness he is fully prepared to wield against those who slander him as operating 'according to the flesh.' The wordplay on λογίζομαι ('reckon') sets up vv.3–7.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
δέομαιI begPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · δέομαιmain verb→ customary presentδέομαι: 'beg, entreat'; petition arising from need — a step more urgent than παρακαλῶ in v.1.
δὲnow/andconnective conjunction
τὸ—Accusativearticle nominalizing the infinitive (content of δέομαι)
μὴnotnegative (with infinitive)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here negating the articular infinitive.
παρὼνbeing presentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάρειμιadverbial (temporal) participle→ present (concurrent)πάρειμι: 'be present, be at hand' (παρά + εἰμί); the counterpart to ἀπών (v.1) — 'when actually with you.'
θαρρῆσαιto be boldAor Act Inf · θαρρέωarticular infinitive (object of δέομαι)→ ingressive aoristθαρρέω: 'be bold'; Paul prays not to have to act on the boldness he could rightly exercise.
τῇwith theDativearticle
πεποιθήσειconfidenceDativedative of manner/instrumentπεποίθησις: 'confidence, assurance' (from πείθω/πέποιθα); the settled boldness Paul is sure he possesses.
ᾗwith whichDativerelative pronoun (dat. by attraction)
λογίζομαιI reckon/intendPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentλογίζομαι: 'reckon, consider, count on'; the deliberate counting-up that frames vv.2–11 — the same verb the opponents use against Paul.
τολμῆσαιto dare/act boldlyAor Act Inf · τολμάωcomplementary infinitive (of λογίζομαι)→ ingressive aoristτολμάω: 'dare, have the courage to'; the daring resolve Paul holds in reserve against detractors (cf. v.12; 11:21).
ἐπίagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)
τιναςsomeAccusativeobject of ἐπί (indefinite)τις: 'someone, certain ones'; a pointed but unnamed reference to the rival intruders at Corinth.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λογιζομένουςwho reckonPres Mid Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · λογίζομαιsubstantival participle (in apposition to τινας)→ present (ongoing)λογίζομαι: here of the opponents' false 'reckoning' about Paul — the verb echoes Paul's own (above), turning their charge back on them.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of the participle
ὡςascomparative particle (introduces alleged manner)ὡς: 'as, as if'; marks the opponents' characterization as their claim, not Paul's reality.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of conduct)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here the merely human, worldly plane of operation — the charge that Paul acts from selfish, this-worldly motives.
περιπατοῦνταςwalking/conducting ourselvesPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · περιπατέωsupplementary participle (after λογιζομένους … ὡς)→ present (ongoing manner)περιπατέω: 'walk about'; metaphor for the conduct of one's life (Hebraic הָלַךְ) — here 'living by fleshly standards.'
3
Ἐν σαρκὶ γὰρ περιπατοῦντες οὐ κατὰ σάρκα στρατευόμεθα·
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh —
The opening salvo of the warfare metaphor: Paul concedes he lives 'in the flesh' (as a mortal human) but denies that he campaigns 'according to the flesh' — by worldly weapons or motives. The distinction overturns the slander of v.2.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σαρκὶfleshDativedative of sphere (ἐν σαρκί = in mortal existence)σάρξ: here neutral — 'in the body, as a human being'; the unavoidable medium of life, not yet the ethical 'flesh.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
περιπατοῦντεςwalkingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · περιπατέωconcessive participle ('though we walk')→ present (ongoing)περιπατέω: 'walk, live'; the concession — yes, we live in the human sphere; the denial follows.
οὐnotnegative (with indicative)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of warfare)σάρξ: here ethical/negative — the worldly principle by which Paul refuses to fight; the contrast 'in flesh' vs. 'according to flesh' is the verse's hinge.
στρατευόμεθαwe wage war/campaignPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · στρατεύομαιmain verb→ customary presentστρατεύομαι: 'serve as a soldier, wage war' (from στρατός, 'army'); launches the sustained military image of vv.3–6.
4
τὰ γὰρ ὅπλα τῆς στρατείας ἡμῶν οὐ σαρκικὰ ἀλλὰ δυνατὰ τῷ θεῷ πρὸς καθαίρεσιν ὀχυρωμάτων, λογισμοὺς καθαιροῦντες
for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful before God for the demolition of strongholds. We tear down arguments
The grounds for v.3: the apostolic arsenal is not 'fleshly' but divinely potent for siege-work — pulling down the fortresses of human pride. The vivid καθαίρεσις/ὀχύρωμα imagery may evoke the famed fortifications and reasoning-towers of the philosophers.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
τὰtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅπλαweaponsNominativesubjectὅπλον: 'tool, weapon'; plural = a soldier's arms/armor — the instruments of Paul's spiritual campaign (cf. Rom 6:13; Eph 6:11–17).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
στρατείαςwarfare/campaignGenitiveattributive (possessive) genitiveστρατεία: 'campaign, military service'; the ongoing warfare of the apostolic mission (cf. 1 Tim 1:18).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐnotnegative (predicate)
σαρκικὰfleshlyNominativepredicate adjective (copula implied)σαρκικός: 'fleshly, belonging to the flesh'; merely human, worldly weapons — rhetoric, manipulation, status — which Paul disowns.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversativeἀλλά: 'but rather'; the sharp contrast — not fleshly but divinely empowered.
δυνατὰpowerfulNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate)δυνατός: 'able, powerful, mighty'; the weapons' might is from God, not from human resource.
τῷ—Dativearticle
θεῷbefore God / for GodDativedative of reference/agency ('mighty before God')θεός: God; either 'powerful in God's sight/estimation' or a Hebraic intensive ('divinely powerful') — the source and standard of the weapons' efficacy.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
καθαίρεσινdemolition/tearing downAccusativeobject of πρός (purpose)καθαίρεσις: 'pulling down, destruction'; a siege term — razing what is fortified (contrast οἰκοδομή 'building up,' v.8).
ὀχυρωμάτωνof strongholdsGenitiveobjective genitive (what is demolished)ὀχύρωμα: 'fortress, stronghold' (from ὀχυρόω, 'fortify'); the entrenched bastions of human pride and false reasoning.
λογισμοὺςarguments/reasoningsAccusativedirect object (of καθαιροῦντες)λογισμός: 'reasoning, calculation, argument' (cognate with λογίζομαι); the proud speculations the gospel overthrows — perhaps a swipe at sophistic rhetoric.
καθαιροῦντεςtearing downPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καθαιρέωparticiple (continuing the thought; quasi-finite/imperatival force)→ present (ongoing action)καθαιρέω: 'take down, demolish' (cognate with καθαίρεσις); the participle carries the sentence into v.5 — the actual work of the campaign.
5
καὶ πᾶν ὕψωμα ἐπαιρόμενον κατὰ τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντες πᾶν νόημα εἰς τὴν ὑπακοὴν τοῦ Χριστοῦ,
and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to obey Christ,
The demolition extends to 'every high thing' that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; then the metaphor shifts from siege to conquest — every thought is led away prisoner into the obedience of Christ. Pride is not merely refuted but captured and made to serve its true Lord.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; the totalizing scope — no proud bastion is exempt.
ὕψωμαlofty thing/heightAccusativedirect object (of καθαιροῦντες, v.4)ὕψωμα: 'height, elevated structure, rampart'; a proud rampart reared up — arrogance towering against God (cf. ὑψηλά, Rom 11:20).
ἐπαιρόμενονraising itself upPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ἐπαίρωattributive participle (modifies ὕψωμα)→ present (ongoing self-exaltation)ἐπαίρω: 'lift up'; middle 'exalt oneself, rise up haughtily' — the self-elevation of human pride against revelation.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile opposition)κατά + gen.: 'against'; the hostile orientation of pride toward God's self-revelation.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γνώσεωςknowledgeGenitiveobject of κατά (what pride opposes)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; the true knowledge of God revealed in the gospel — the target of every proud counter-claim.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobjective genitive (knowledge of God)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αἰχμαλωτίζοντεςtaking captivePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · αἰχμαλωτίζωparticiple (coordinate with καθαιροῦντες)→ present (ongoing action)αἰχμαλωτίζω: 'lead away captive, take prisoner of war' (from αἰχμή, 'spear-point'); the metaphor turns from razing to deportation — thoughts led off as POWs.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
νόημαthought/schemeAccusativedirect object (of αἰχμαλωτίζοντες)νόημα: 'thought, design, mental scheme' (cf. 2:11; 3:14; 4:4); the mind's every plan, now brought into submission.
εἰςto/intopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑπακοὴνobedienceAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the conquest)ὑπακοή: 'obedience' (lit. 'listening under'); the destination of every captured thought — submission, not annihilation.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective genitive (obedience rendered to Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the rightful sovereign to whom every captive thought is now made to bow.
6
καὶ ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχοντες ἐκδικῆσαι πᾶσαν παρακοήν, ὅταν πληρωθῇ ὑμῶν ἡ ὑπακοή.
and being ready to punish every disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
The campaign's final note: Paul stands ready to avenge every act of disobedience — but he holds his fire until the congregation's own obedience is brought to full measure. Discipline of the recalcitrant minority waits on the loyalty of the majority.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom: ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχειν = 'be ready')
ἑτοίμῳreadinessDativesubstantival adj. (ἐν ἑτοίμῳ = 'in readiness')ἕτοιμος: 'ready, prepared'; the idiom ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχω = 'I hold in readiness, I stand prepared.'
ἔχοντεςhaving/holdingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωparticiple (coordinate with vv.4–5)→ present (ongoing state of readiness)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; with ἐν ἑτοίμῳ, 'to be in a state of readiness.'
ἐκδικῆσαιto punish/avengeAor Act Inf · ἐκδικέωcomplementary infinitive (of ἔχοντες … ἐν ἑτοίμῳ)→ constative aoristἐκδικέω: 'avenge, punish, exact justice' (from δίκη); the disciplinary action held in reserve against the defiant.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
παρακοήνdisobedienceAccusativedirect object (of ἐκδικῆσαι)παρακοή: 'disobedience' (lit. 'hearing amiss, refusing to listen'); the deliberate antonym of ὑπακοή — its echo sharpens the contrast.
ὅτανwhen/oncetemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, once'; introduces the condition that must precede Paul's disciplinary move.
πληρωθῇis completed/fulfilledAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · πληρόωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive/effective aoristπληρόω: 'fill, complete, bring to full measure'; the church's obedience must first reach fullness — Paul disciplines from within a loyal community.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (fronted for emphasis)
ἡtheNominativearticle
ὑπακοήobedienceNominativesubject (of πληρωθῇ)ὑπακοή: 'obedience'; the same key word as v.5 — the church's full submission is the precondition for judging the rebels.
7
Τὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον βλέπετε. εἴ τις πέποιθεν ἑαυτῷ Χριστοῦ εἶναι, τοῦτο λογιζέσθω πάλιν ἐφ' ἑαυτοῦ ὅτι καθὼς αὐτὸς Χριστοῦ οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς.
You are looking at things according to outward appearance. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ's, let him reckon this again with himself: that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.
Asyndeton sharpens the rebuke. Whether read as indicative ('you look at surface things') or imperative ('look at what is before your eyes'), Paul confronts judgment-by-appearance. He then meets the rival's boast of belonging to Christ with an equal counter-claim — λογιζέσθω again playing on the chapter's reckoning motif.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
Τὰthe thingsAccusativesubstantival article (object of βλέπετε)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (κατὰ πρόσωπον = 'by appearance')
πρόσωπονappearance/faceAccusativeobject of κατά (τὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον = 'the outward things')πρόσωπον: 'face, surface, outward show'; the Corinthians judge by externals — eloquence and presence — not by reality.
βλέπετεyou look at / look!Pres Act Indic/Impv 2 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (indicative of fact or imperative of summons)→ durative presentβλέπω: 'see, look at, consider'; the form is ambiguous — either a charge ('you judge superficially') or a call to look rightly.
εἴifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative πέποιθεν, a condition assumed true for argument's sake.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite)τις: 'someone'; pointed but unnamed — a rival who prides himself on belonging to Christ.
πέποιθενis confidentPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · πείθωverb of protasis→ intensive perfect (settled conviction)πείθω: perfect πέποιθα = 'I have come to be persuaded, I am confident'; a fixed self-assurance.
ἑαυτῷin himselfDativedative of reference (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'himself'; the confidence is self-referential — resting on his own estimate.
ΧριστοῦChrist'sGenitivepredicate genitive of possession (εἶναι Χριστοῦ = 'to belong to Christ')Χριστός: the rival's slogan — 'I am of Christ' (cf. 1 Cor 1:12); a claim Paul does not deny but matches.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (content of πέποιθεν)→ stative present
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (of λογιζέσθω; anticipates ὅτι-clause)
λογιζέσθωlet him reckonPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (apodosis; 3rd-person imperative)→ durative presentλογίζομαι: 'reckon, consider'; the chapter's signature verb, here turning the rival's self-reckoning toward Paul's parity.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition/reconsideration)πάλιν: 'again'; let him think it through afresh — a second, fairer reckoning.
ἐφ'with regard topreposition (ἐπί) + genitive (reference: 'as to himself')
ἑαυτοῦhimselfGenitiveobject of ἐπί (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; 'in his own case' — let him apply to himself the obvious inference.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of λογιζέσθω)
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction (correlative with οὕτως)καθώς: 'just as'; sets up the proportion 'as he … so also we.'
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (intensive)
ΧριστοῦChrist'sGenitivepredicate genitive (possession; copula implied)
οὕτωςsoadverb (answers καθώς)οὕτως: 'thus, so'; completes the comparison — equal claim, equal title.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic; copula and predicate gen. understood)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; emphatic — Paul claims belonging to Christ no less than the rival, and on better grounds.
8
ἐάν τε γὰρ περισσότερόν τι καυχήσωμαι περὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας ἡμῶν, ἧς ἔδωκεν ὁ κύριος εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν ὑμῶν, οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσομαι,
For even if I boast somewhat more abundantly about our authority — which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down — I will not be put to shame,
Paul justifies his confident self-assertion: his authority is real, Lord-given, and constructive. The pointed οἰκοδομή / καθαίρεσις pair recalls v.4 — the same power that demolishes enemy strongholds is meant to build up the church, never to ruin it.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition, + subjunctive)ἐάν: 'if (ever)'; with τε, 'for even if/although' — concedes a hypothetical of greater boasting.
τεeven/andparticle (connective with γάρ)τε: connective particle; here softening the concession ('for even if').
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
περισσότερόνmore abundantlyAccusativeadverbial accusative (comparative)περισσός (compar. περισσότερος): 'more abundant, beyond measure'; the boasting Paul allows himself, but only within bounds (cf. vv.13–16).
τιsomewhatAccusativeaccusative of respect (indefinite)τις: 'somewhat, a little'; tempers the boast — 'to some degree.'
καυχήσωμαιI boastAor Mid Subj 1 Sg · καυχάομαιverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ ingressive aoristκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory'; the dominant verb of chs. 10–12 — legitimate when grounded in the Lord (v.17).
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐξουσίαςauthorityGenitiveobject of περί (the topic of boasting)ἐξουσία: 'authority, right, power'; the apostolic commission's delegated authority — its source is the Lord, its purpose upbuilding.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (gen. by attraction; object of ἔδωκεν)
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the authority is granted, not seized — its legitimacy rests on the Lord's gift.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject (of ἔδωκεν)κύριος: 'Lord'; Christ as the giver — the ultimate authority behind Paul's apostolate.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
οἰκοδομὴνbuilding upAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)οἰκοδομή: 'building, edification' (from οἶκος + δέμω); the constructive aim of authority — its opposite is καθαίρεσις.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
καθαίρεσινtearing downAccusativeobject of εἰς (the disavowed purpose)καθαίρεσις: 'demolition'; the same siege-word as v.4 — fit for enemy strongholds, never for God's church.
ὑμῶνyourGenitiveobjective genitive (with both οἰκοδομήν and καθαίρεσιν)
οὐκnotnegative (with apodosis verb)
αἰσχυνθήσομαιI will be put to shameFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · αἰσχύνωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive futureαἰσχύνω: 'shame, disgrace'; passive 'be ashamed/disgraced' — the boast will prove true, so Paul will not be exposed as empty (cf. 7:14).
9
ἵνα μὴ δόξω ὡς ἂν ἐκφοβεῖν ὑμᾶς διὰ τῶν ἐπιστολῶν·
— that I may not seem to be trying to frighten you by my letters.
A parenthetical purpose clause guarding against misreading the strong words of v.8: Paul does not write to terrorize. It sets up the opponents' specific jibe quoted in v.10 — that he is brave only on paper.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἵναthatconjunction (negative purpose, + subjunctive)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces Paul's purpose in qualifying his boldness.
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
δόξωI may seemAor Act Subj 1 Sg · δοκέωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ constative aoristδοκέω: 'seem, appear, give the impression'; Paul is concerned with how his letters are perceived.
ὡςas ifparticle (with ἄν: 'as it were')ὡς ἂν: an idiom approximating 'as if, so to speak' — softening or qualifying the supposed intent.
ἂν—modal particle (with ὡς)ἄν: contingency particle; here forming the idiom ὡς ἄν with the infinitive.
ἐκφοβεῖνto frighten/terrifyPres Act Inf · ἐκφοβέωinfinitive (complement of δόξω)→ conative/durative presentἐκφοβέω: 'frighten thoroughly, terrify' (ἐκ-intensive of φοβέω); Paul disclaims any intent to cow them by intimidation.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (of ἐκφοβεῖν)
διὰbypreposition + genitive (means)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἐπιστολῶνlettersGenitiveobject of διά (means)ἐπιστολή: 'letter'; the very medium the critics scorn as Paul's only weapon (v.10) — weighty in writing, weak in person.
10
ὅτι Αἱ ἐπιστολαὶ μέν, φησίν, βαρεῖαι καὶ ἰσχυραί, ἡ δὲ παρουσία τοῦ σώματος ἀσθενὴς καὶ ὁ λόγος ἐξουθενημένος.
For, "His letters," someone says, "are weighty and forceful, but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible."
Paul quotes the slander verbatim (φησίν, 'he says'): his letters thunder, but the man himself is unimpressive and his preaching beneath contempt. This is the heart of the attack on his apostolic credibility — the very critique vv.1–11 answer.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὅτιfor/becausecausal conjunction (introduces the reported charge)ὅτι: here causal ('for') giving the reason behind v.9 — or recitative, introducing the quotation.
ΑἱtheNominativearticle
ἐπιστολαὶlettersNominativesubjectἐπιστολή: 'letter'; the critics admit the force of Paul's correspondence even as they belittle his person.
μένon the one handparticle (correlative with δέ)μέν: sets letters against presence — 'the letters indeed … but the presence.'
φησίνhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίparenthetical verb of saying→ customary presentφημί: 'say, affirm'; the impersonal/representative 'someone says' — Paul cites the prevailing complaint, perhaps of one ringleader.
βαρεῖαιweightyNominativepredicate adjectiveβαρύς: 'heavy, weighty, severe'; the letters carry crushing weight — a backhanded compliment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἰσχυραίforceful/strongNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate)ἰσχυρός: 'strong, mighty'; the letters are forceful — set in ironic contrast to the 'weak' presence.
ἡtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative (answers μέν)
παρουσίαpresenceNominativesubject (second clause)παρουσία: 'presence, arrival'; here Paul's physical presence — judged unimpressive (cf. παρών, v.2; v.11).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σώματοςbodyGenitiveattributive genitive ('bodily presence')σῶμα: 'body'; ἡ παρουσία τοῦ σώματος = 'his physical/bodily presence' — his unprepossessing in-person bearing.
ἀσθενὴςweakNominativepredicate adjectiveἀσθενής: 'weak, feeble, without force'; the jibe at Paul's lack of commanding presence — a theme he will transvalue (cf. 11:30; 12:9–10).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςspeech/wordNominativesubject (third clause)λόγος: 'word, speech, oratory'; his preaching judged by polished sophistic standards (cf. 11:6, 'untrained in speech').
ἐξουθενημένοςcontemptible/of no accountPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐξουθενέωpredicate participle (periphrastic/predicate adj. force)→ intensive perfect (settled state of being despised)ἐξουθενέω: 'despise, treat as nothing, count for naught'; his speech is reckoned worthless — the harshest term in the charge.
11
τοῦτο λογιζέσθω ὁ τοιοῦτος, ὅτι οἷοί ἐσμεν τῷ λόγῳ δι' ἐπιστολῶν ἀπόντες, τοιοῦτοι καὶ παρόντες τῷ ἔργῳ.
Let such a person reckon this: that what we are in word by letters when absent, such we will also be in deed when present.
Asyndeton lands the riposte. Picking up λογιζέσθω from v.7, Paul warns the critic that there is no gap between his written word and his bodily action: the boldness of the letters will be matched by deeds on arrival. The λόγος/ἔργον antithesis directly answers v.10.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (anticipates the ὅτι-clause)
λογιζέσθωlet him reckonPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ durative presentλογίζομαι: 'reckon, consider'; the same imperative as v.7 — Paul demands the critic do the math honestly.
ὁtheNominativearticle
τοιοῦτοςsuch a oneNominativesubject (substantival; the critic of v.10)τοιοῦτος: 'such a person'; pointedly designates the slanderer without naming him.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of λογιζέσθω)
οἷοίwhat kind/such asNominativepredicate (correlative with τοιοῦτοι)οἷος: 'such as, of what sort'; correlates with τοιοῦτοι — 'the sort we are … that same sort we will be.'
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίverb (rel. clause)→ stative present
τῷinDativearticle
λόγῳwordDativedative of respect/sphere ('in word')λόγος: 'word'; what Paul is 'in word' (the letters' boldness) answers the slur on his λόγος in v.10.
δι'bypreposition (διά) + genitive (means)
ἐπιστολῶνlettersGenitiveobject of διά (means)ἐπιστολή: 'letter'; the medium of Paul's 'word' while away.
ἀπόντεςbeing absentPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἄπειμιadverbial (temporal) participle→ present (concurrent)ἄπειμι: 'be absent'; the condition under which the letters are written — answering ἀπών of v.1.
τοιοῦτοιsuchNominativepredicate (answers οἷοι; copula 'we will be' understood)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of that very sort'; closes the correlation — consistency between word and deed.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
παρόντεςbeing presentPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πάρειμιadverbial (temporal) participle→ present (concurrent)πάρειμι: 'be present'; on arrival the same boldness will appear — answering παρών of v.2.
τῷinDativearticle
ἔργῳdeedDativedative of respect/sphere ('in deed')ἔργον: 'work, deed, action'; the λόγος/ἔργον pair seals the rebuttal — no daylight between Paul's words and his acts.
12
Οὐ γὰρ τολμῶμεν ἐγκρῖναι ἢ συγκρῖναι ἑαυτούς τισιν τῶν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστανόντων· ἀλλὰ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἑαυτοῖς ἑαυτοὺς μετροῦντες καὶ συγκρίνοντες ἑαυτοὺς ἑαυτοῖς οὐ συνιᾶσιν.
For we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
With heavy, deliberate wordplay (ἐγκρῖναι/συγκρῖναι; the fourfold ἑαυτ-), Paul refuses to enter the self-commendation contest of his rivals. Their fatal error: they take themselves as their own measuring-rod — a closed circle that 'has no understanding.' This sets up the true measure (God's apportionment) in vv.13–18.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Οὐnotnegative (with indicative)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τολμῶμενwe darePres Act Indic 1 Pl · τολμάωmain verb→ customary presentτολμάω: 'dare'; ironic — Paul 'dares not' do what the boasters do brazenly (contrast τολμῆσαι, v.2).
ἐγκρῖναιto class/rank amongAor Act Inf · ἐγκρίνωcomplementary infinitive (of τολμῶμεν)→ constative aoristἐγκρίνω: 'reckon among, enroll in a class' (ἐν + κρίνω); to count oneself in the same league — a near-pun with συγκρῖναι.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
συγκρῖναιto compareAor Act Inf · συγκρίνωcomplementary infinitive (coordinate)→ constative aoristσυγκρίνω: 'compare, combine, match' (σύν + κρίνω); the assonant pair ἐγκρῖναι/συγκρῖναι mocks the boasters' jockeying.
ἑαυτούςourselvesAccusativedirect object (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; the first of seven reflexive forms in the verse — the verbal hammering of self-reference.
τισινwith someDativedative of association (with συγκρῖναι)τις: 'certain ones'; the unnamed rival apostles who peddle self-commendation.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.; partitive gen.)
ἑαυτοὺςthemselvesAccusativedirect object (of συνιστανόντων)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; the self-commenders' self-reference.
συνιστανόντωνwho commendPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · συνιστάνωsubstantival participle (partitive gen.)→ present (characteristic)συνιστάνω/συνίστημι: 'commend, present, recommend'; self-commendation is the opponents' stock-in-trade (cf. 3:1; 5:12) — the antithesis of the Lord's commendation (v.18).
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (intensive: 'they themselves')αὐτός: here 'they themselves' — the boasters, turned upon by their own measuring.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (standard/means)
ἑαυτοῖςthemselvesDativedative of standard (ἐν ἑαυτοῖς = 'by themselves')ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; their measuring-standard is merely themselves — a self-enclosed, circular criterion.
ἑαυτοὺςthemselvesAccusativedirect object (of μετροῦντες)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive.
μετροῦντεςmeasuringPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · μετρέωadverbial (causal/circumstantial) participle→ present (ongoing)μετρέω: 'measure'; introduces the μέτρον motif developed in vv.13–16 — but their measure is false, taken from themselves.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συγκρίνοντεςcomparingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συγκρίνωadverbial participle (coordinate)→ present (ongoing)συγκρίνω: 'compare'; echoing συγκρῖναι above — their endless self-comparison yields no true standard.
ἑαυτοὺςthemselvesAccusativedirect object (of συγκρίνοντες)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive.
ἑαυτοῖςwith themselvesDativedative of associationἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; the closed loop — they compare themselves only with themselves.
οὐnotnegative
συνιᾶσινthey understandPres Act Indic 3 Pl · συνίημιmain verb (of the ἀλλά clause)→ customary presentσυνίημι: 'comprehend, understand'; their self-referential method betrays a lack of true insight — they 'do not understand' (cf. the LXX idiom of folly).
13
ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχησόμεθα, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ μέτρον τοῦ κανόνος οὗ ἐμέρισεν ἡμῖν ὁ θεὸς μέτρου, ἐφικέσθαι ἄχρι καὶ ὑμῶν.
But we will not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the assigned field that God apportioned to us as a measure — to reach even as far as you.
Over against the boasters' self-measure (v.12), Paul's emphatic ἡμεῖς δέ sets the right standard: he boasts only within the κανών — the assigned field of mission God allotted him — which by God's design reached all the way to Corinth. His boast is thus not self-invented but God-given.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic; contrast with αὐτοί v.12)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; the emphatic antithesis to the self-commenders.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
εἰςto/beyondpreposition + accusative (extent)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἄμετραthings beyond measureAccusativeobject of εἰς (εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα = 'immeasurably')ἄμετρος: 'without measure, immoderate' (ἀ- + μέτρον); the boundless self-boasting Paul refuses — opposite of κατὰ τὸ μέτρον.
καυχησόμεθαwe will boastFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · καυχάομαιmain verb→ predictive futureκαυχάομαι: 'boast'; Paul's boasting is bounded — only within his God-given sphere.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μέτρονmeasureAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)μέτρον: 'measure, limit, allotted portion'; the prescribed limit of Paul's legitimate boast and sphere.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κανόνοςassigned field/ruleGenitiveattributive genitive (defines μέτρον)κανών: 'measuring-rod, standard, assigned province' (orig. a straight reed); here the allotted sphere of mission territory God measured out to Paul.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (gen. by attraction to μέτρου)
ἐμέρισενapportioned/allottedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μερίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristμερίζω: 'divide, apportion, assign a share' (from μέρος); God measured out Paul's portion of the field — his boast stays within it.
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (recipient of the portion)
ὁ—Nominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of ἐμέρισεν)θεός: God; the apportioner of mission spheres — the true ground of Paul's measured boast.
μέτρουas a measureGenitivegenitive in apposition to κανόνος (resumptive)μέτρον: repeated — 'a measure consisting of (this) assigned field'; the awkward repetition underscores the bounded, God-set limit.
ἐφικέσθαιto reachAor Mid Inf · ἐφικνέομαιepexegetical/result infinitive (extent of the field)→ constative aoristἐφικνέομαι: 'arrive at, reach, attain' (rare; only here and v.14 in NT); Paul's field 'reaches as far as' Corinth — within bounds, not overreach.
ἄχριas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)ἄχρι: 'up to, as far as'; marks the limit/reach of the apportioned field.
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἄχρι (the field's extent)Corinth lay within the territory God measured to Paul — his boast there is wholly legitimate.
14
οὐ γὰρ ὡς μὴ ἐφικνούμενοι εἰς ὑμᾶς ὑπερεκτείνομεν ἑαυτούς, ἄχρι γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν ἐφθάσαμεν ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ·
For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ.
Paul forestalls the objection that claiming Corinth is overreach: he is not stretching beyond his bounds, for he in fact arrived there first with the gospel. He founded the church (1 Cor 3:6, 10); Corinth is his proper field, not another's.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὐnotnegative
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὡςas thoughcomparative particle (alleged case)ὡς: 'as if'; marks the false supposition Paul denies — 'as though we had not reached you.'
μὴnotnegative (with participle, subjective/alleged)μή: subjective negative with the participle — the supposed (but false) non-arrival.
ἐφικνούμενοιreachingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐφικνέομαιadverbial (comparative) participle→ present (durative)ἐφικνέομαι: 'reach, arrive at'; same rare verb as v.13 — Paul does reach Corinth, contrary to the imagined case.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς
ὑπερεκτείνομενwe overextendPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ὑπερεκτείνωmain verb→ durative presentὑπερεκτείνω: 'stretch out beyond, overextend' (ὑπέρ + ἐκ + τείνω; only here in NT); the very overreach Paul disclaims — he is not 'stretching himself too far.'
ἑαυτούςourselvesAccusativedirect object (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive.
ἄχριas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)ἄχρι: 'up to, as far as'; repeats v.13 — the reach of Paul's actual mission.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἄχρι (extent)
ἐφθάσαμενwe arrived/cameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · φθάνωmain verb→ constative aoristφθάνω: 'arrive, come (first), attain' (in Koine the older sense 'anticipate' fades); Paul was first to reach Corinth with the gospel.
ἐνwith/inpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
εὐαγγελίῳgospelDativedative of means/sphere (the manner of arrival)εὐαγγέλιον: 'gospel'; Paul came to Corinth bearing the gospel — the credential of his rightful presence there.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective/possessive genitive (gospel of/about Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the gospel's content and Lord — the authentic message Paul brought, unlike the intruders' message.
15
οὐκ εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα καυχώμενοι ἐν ἀλλοτρίοις κόποις, ἐλπίδα δὲ ἔχοντες αὐξανομένης τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν μεγαλυνθῆναι κατὰ τὸν κανόνα ἡμῶν εἰς περισσείαν,
not boasting beyond measure in other men's labors, but having hope that as your faith grows we will be enlarged among you, according to our field, abundantly,
Paul disowns the boasters' practice of claiming credit for work done in another's sphere (ἀλλότριοι κόποι). His hope is the reverse: that as the Corinthians' faith matures, his own scope of ministry will be enlarged — still within his God-given field — so as to overflow into the unevangelized regions beyond (v.16).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
οὐκnotnegative (with participle)
εἰςto/beyondpreposition + accusative (extent)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἄμετραthings beyond measureAccusativeobject of εἰς (εἰς τὰ ἄμετρα = 'immeasurably')ἄμετρος: 'without measure'; repeats v.13 — the limitless boasting that claims another's work.
καυχώμενοιboastingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καυχάομαιadverbial participle (continues vv.13–14)→ present (characteristic)καυχάομαι: 'boast'; the participle picks up καυχησόμεθα (v.13) — the manner Paul avoids.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/basis)
ἀλλοτρίοιςothers'/another'sDativeattributive adjectiveἀλλότριος: 'belonging to another, foreign'; the intruders boast in fields (and converts) not their own — poaching another's labor (cf. Rom 15:20).
κόποιςlaborsDativeobject of ἐν (basis of boasting)κόπος: 'toil, hard labor (to weariness)'; the wearying missionary work whose fruit the boasters wrongly claim.
ἐλπίδαhopeAccusativedirect object (of ἔχοντες)ἐλπίς: 'hope, expectation'; Paul's positive aim against the boasters' overreach.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωadverbial participle (contrastive, with δέ)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; Paul holds a contrary hope — growth, not encroachment.
αὐξανομένηςgrowingPres Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · αὐξάνωgenitive absolute (temporal/conditional)→ present (progressive)αὐξάνω: 'grow, increase'; the genitive absolute — 'as your faith keeps growing' — the condition for Paul's enlargement.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (subject of gen. absolute)
πίστεωςfaithGenitivesubject of the genitive absoluteπίστις: 'faith'; the Corinthians' maturing faith is the basis for an expanded mission, not a trophy to boast over.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of enlargement)
μεγαλυνθῆναιto be enlarged/magnifiedAor Pass Inf · μεγαλύνωepexegetical infinitive (content of ἐλπίδα)→ constative aoristμεγαλύνω: 'make great, enlarge, magnify'; Paul's sphere/influence will be 'enlarged' as their faith grows — the content of his hope.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κανόναfield/assigned sphereAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)κανών: 'assigned sphere' (as v.13); even the enlargement stays within God's allotment — expansion, not trespass.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (extent/result)
περισσείανabundance/overflowAccusativeobject of εἰς (result: 'abundantly')περισσεία: 'abundance, surplus, overflow'; the hoped-for enlargement to an overflowing extent — feeding the advance of v.16.
16
εἰς τὰ ὑπερέκεινα ὑμῶν εὐαγγελίσασθαι, οὐκ ἐν ἀλλοτρίῳ κανόνι εἰς τὰ ἕτοιμα καυχήσασθαι.
so as to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another's field about work already done.
The goal of the hoped-for enlargement: virgin gospel territory 'beyond' Corinth — Paul's pioneer principle (Rom 15:20). The closing antithesis again repudiates the rivals' way: claiming credit for ready-made results in someone else's field.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
εἰςto/intopreposition + accusative (direction/goal)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ὑπερέκειναregions beyondAccusativeobject of εἰς (substantival adverb)ὑπερέκεινα: 'beyond, the parts beyond' (ὑπέρ + ἐκεῖνα; only here in NT); the unevangelized lands west of Corinth — perhaps toward Rome and Spain (Rom 15:24).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive (with the adverb of place)
εὐαγγελίσασθαιto preach the gospelAor Mid Inf · εὐαγγελίζωinfinitive of purpose (of μεγαλυνθῆναι, v.15)→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζω: 'announce good news, evangelize'; the aim of Paul's enlargement — fresh proclamation, not recycled boasting.
οὐκnotnegative
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἀλλοτρίῳanother'sDativeattributive adjectiveἀλλότριος: 'another's, foreign'; the rivals' sphere — not Paul's to boast in (cf. v.15).
κανόνιfieldDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)κανών: 'assigned sphere' (third use); boasting in a field not allotted to oneself is the trespass Paul forswears.
εἰςabout/overpreposition + accusative (reference)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἕτοιμαthings already ready/doneAccusativeobject of εἰς (τὰ ἕτοιμα = 'ready-made results')ἕτοιμος: 'ready, prepared'; τὰ ἕτοιμα = work already accomplished by another — the easy spoils the boasters claim.
καυχήσασθαιto boastAor Mid Inf · καυχάομαιinfinitive (epexegetical/result, negated)→ constative aoristκαυχάομαι: 'boast'; the disavowed boast — in another's finished labor; sets up the true ground of boasting in v.17.
17
Ὁ δὲ καυχώμενος ἐν κυρίῳ καυχάσθω·
But "let the one who boasts boast in the Lord";
The argument's theological climax: an echo of Jeremiah 9:23–24 (LXX), the same text Paul cited at 1 Corinthians 1:31. All legitimate boasting terminates not in self but in the Lord — the antidote to the self-commendation of vv.12–16.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
Ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative/transitional conjunctionδέ: turns from the false boasting to the only valid kind.
καυχώμενοςthe one who boastsPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καυχάομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general/gnomic)καυχάομαι: 'boast'; the substantival 'the boaster' — whoever would glory at all.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (basis/object of boasting)
κυρίῳthe LordDativeobject of ἐν (the proper ground of boasting)κύριος: 'Lord'; in the Jeremiah source 'the LORD' (YHWH) — the only worthy object of boasting; for Paul, fulfilled in Christ.
καυχάσθωlet him boastPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · καυχάομαιmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ gnomic/customary presentκαυχάομαι: 'boast'; the imperative from Jer 9:24 LXX (cf. 1 Cor 1:31) — all glorying must be directed to the Lord.
18
οὐ γὰρ ὁ ἑαυτὸν συνιστάνων, ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν δόκιμος, ἀλλὰ ὃν ὁ κύριος συνίστησιν.
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
The closing rationale for v.17, rounding off the whole movement (vv.12–18): the verdict that counts is not self-commendation (the rivals' way, v.12) but the Lord's commendation. Divine approval (δόκιμος), not self-recommendation, is the true measure of an apostle.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
οὐnotnegative
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativedirect object (of συνιστάνων; reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive; the self-commender — the boaster of v.12, here finally judged.
συνιστάνωνcommendingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · συνιστάνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic)συνιστάνω: 'commend, recommend'; self-commendation (cf. v.12) — disqualified as the basis of approval.
ἐκεῖνόςthat oneNominativedemonstrative (resumptive subject)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one'; resumes ὁ … συνιστάνων emphatically — 'he is not the one approved.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
δόκιμοςapprovedNominativepredicate nominativeδόκιμος: 'tested and approved, genuine' (from δοκιμάζω); the metal that passes assay — true approval comes only from the Lord's testing (cf. 13:7).
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of συνίστησιν)
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject (of συνίστησιν)κύριος: 'Lord'; the Lord's commendation — the sole valid approval, picking up ἐν κυρίῳ of v.17.
συνίστησινcommendsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συνίστημιmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic presentσυνίστημι: 'commend, recommend, present as approved'; the Lord's commendation — not one's own — is what makes an apostle δόκιμος.