1
Ἔκρινα γὰρ ἐμαυτῷ τοῦτο, τὸ μὴ πάλιν ἐν λύπῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐλθεῖν.
For I decided this for myself, not to come to you again in grief.
Picking up 1:23, Paul explains his change of travel plans: a settled resolve not to repeat a painful visit. The γάρ grounds the prior claim that he stayed away to spare them.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἜκριναI decidedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (a settled resolve)κρίνω: 'judge, decide, determine'; here of a reasoned personal resolution, not a verdict on others.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐμαυτῷfor myselfDativedat. of advantage / referenceἐμαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun, 'myself'; the decision was Paul's own deliberate determination.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (anticipatory)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes the infinitive)
μὴnotnegative (with infinitive)μή: the negative used with the infinitive — 'not to come.'
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; implies a prior painful visit (the 'painful visit' behind 2 Corinthians).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/attendant circumstance)
λύπῃgriefDativedat. of manner (in sorrow)λύπη: 'pain, grief, sorrow'; the keyword of vv.1–7 — emotional distress, here mutual between apostle and church.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιepexegetical infinitive (defines τοῦτο)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; the articular infinitive τὸ … ἐλθεῖν names the content of the decision.
2
εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼ λυπῶ ὑμᾶς, καὶ τίς ὁ εὐφραίνων με εἰ μὴ ὁ λυπούμενος ἐξ ἐμοῦ;
For if I grieve you, then who is there to gladden me but the one being grieved by me?
A reason for the resolve: causing them pain would cut off his own source of joy, since his gladness comes from the very people he would have grieved. A first-class condition framing a rhetorical question.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative, assumes the supposition true for the sake of argument.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
λυπῶgrievePres Act Indic 1 Sg · λυπέωmain verb (protasis)→ present (general supposition)λυπέω: 'cause pain, grieve'; the verb cognate to λύπη, dominating the paragraph.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
καὶthen/alsoconjunction (apodosis marker / ascensive)καί: here introducing the apodosis with a slight ascensive force — 'then who…'
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)τίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question expects the answer 'no one but you.'
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὐφραίνωνgladdeningPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὐφραίνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (characteristic action)εὐφραίνω: 'make glad, cheer'; the antonym of λυπέω — the joy that the Corinthians alone can give Paul.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ptc.
εἰifconjunction (with μή = 'except')
μὴnotnegative (εἰ μή = 'except, but')εἰ μή: idiom, 'except, unless'; 'who but the one grieved.'
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λυπούμενοςbeing grievedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λυπέωsubstantival participle→ present passive (state of being pained)λυπέω (pass.): 'be grieved'; the same one Paul would pain is the only one who could cheer him.
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/agency)
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἐξ (agency)
3
καὶ ἔγραψα τοῦτο αὐτὸ ἵνα μὴ ἐλθὼν λύπην σχῶ ἀφ' ὧν ἔδει με χαίρειν, πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς ὅτι ἡ ἐμὴ χαρὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐστιν.
And I wrote this very thing so that, when I came, I might not have grief from those who ought to make me rejoice, being confident in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
The decision (v.1) issued in writing rather than visiting: the letter's purpose was to forestall mutual grief, grounded in Paul's confidence that his joy and theirs are one.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔγραψαI wroteAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ constative aorist (epistolary, of a prior letter)γράφω: 'write'; the 'severe letter' (vv.3–4, 9; 7:8–12), written in place of a second painful visit.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object
αὐτὸvery (thing)Accusativeintensive pronoun (with τοῦτο)αὐτός: intensive, 'this very thing'; emphasizing the precise reason he wrote.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: introduces the purpose of writing.
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
ἐλθὼνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιtemporal/circumstantial participle→ constative aorist (antecedent action)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the participle anticipates the eventual visit — 'when I come.'
λύπηνgriefAccusativedirect object of σχῶλύπη: 'sorrow'; the pain Paul wished to avoid receiving.
σχῶI might haveAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔχωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aorist ('come to have')ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the aorist subjunctive denotes coming into possession of grief.
ἀφ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
ὧνthose whomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἀπό; attracted to gen.)
ἔδειit was necessaryImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb→ imperfect of obligation (ongoing duty)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the imperfect ἔδει marks an obligation that ought to have held.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
χαίρεινto rejoicePres Act Inf · χαίρωcomplementary infinitive (with ἔδει)→ present (general state)χαίρω: 'rejoice'; the joy Paul should rightly receive from them.
πεποιθὼςbeing confidentPerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πείθωcausal/circumstantial participle→ intensive perfect (a settled confidence)πείθω (2nd perf. πέποιθα): 'be persuaded, confident, trust'; the perfect denotes a present state of assured confidence.
ἐπὶinpreposition + accusative (object of confidence)
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of confidence)
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐμὴmyNominativepossessive adjectiveἐμός: 'my, mine'; the possessive emphasizes the bond — Paul's joy belongs to them all.
χαρὰjoyNominativesubjectχαρά: 'joy'; cognate with χαίρω — the shared gladness of apostle and church.
πάντωνof allGenitiveattributive adjective (with ὑμῶν)
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepredicate genitive (possession)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
4
ἐκ γὰρ πολλῆς θλίψεως καὶ συνοχῆς καρδίας ἔγραψα ὑμῖν διὰ πολλῶν δακρύων, οὐχ ἵνα λυπηθῆτε ἀλλὰ τὴν ἀγάπην ἵνα γνῶτε ἣν ἔχω περισσοτέρως εἰς ὑμᾶς.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not so that you would be grieved but so that you would know the love that I have so abundantly for you.
The emotional source of the severe letter: not a desire to wound but love. The fronting of τὴν ἀγάπην before its ἵνα clause throws the stress onto love as the true aim.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πολλῆςmuchGenitiveattributive adjective
θλίψεωςafflictionGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θλῖψις: 'pressure, affliction, distress'; an outward/inward crushing — a keyword of 2 Corinthians (1:4–8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνοχῆςanguishGenitiveobject of ἐκ (coordinate source)συνοχή: 'a holding together, constriction, anguish' (from συνέχω); the inward squeeze of distress.
καρδίαςof heartGenitivegenitive of source/location (heart's anguish)καρδία: 'heart'; the seat of will, emotion, and thought — the inner person.
ἔγραψαI wroteAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ constative aorist (epistolary)γράφω: 'write'; again of the painful letter that preceded this one.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object (recipient)
διὰwithpreposition + genitive (attendant circumstance)
πολλῶνmanyGenitiveattributive adjective
δακρύωνtearsGenitiveobject of διά (attendant circumstance)δάκρυον: 'tear'; the tears reveal that even the severe letter was an act of grieving love.
οὐχnotnegative (with ἵνα clause)
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
λυπηθῆτεyou would be grievedAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · λυπέωsubjunctive (negated purpose)→ ingressive aorist (be made sorrowful)λυπέω (pass.): 'be grieved'; the purpose Paul disclaims — wounding was not his aim.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong contrast)ἀλλά: strong adversative, correcting the disclaimed purpose with the true one.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of γνῶτε (fronted for emphasis)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the dominant motive — fronted ahead of its clause to put love first.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, resumed)
γνῶτεyou would knowAor Act Subj 2 Pl · γινώσκωsubjunctive (positive purpose)→ ingressive aorist (come to know)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the true aim — that they perceive his love.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔχω)
ἔχωI havePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (ongoing state)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the love Paul continually holds toward them.
περισσοτέρωςmore abundantlyadverb (comparative degree)περισσοτέρως: 'more abundantly, especially'; comparative adverb stressing the overflowing measure of his love.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (direction/goal)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς
5
Εἰ δέ τις λελύπηκεν, οὐκ ἐμὲ λελύπηκεν, ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ μέρους, ἵνα μὴ ἐπιβαρῶ, πάντας ὑμᾶς.
But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in some measure — not to be too severe — all of you.
A shift from the letter to the offender himself. Paul softens the personal grievance: the offense touched the whole community more than him, and he restrains his words ('not to overburden').
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
Εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; assumes the case as real — there was indeed such a one.
δέbuttransitional/contrastive conjunction
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone'; deliberately vague — Paul does not name the offender.
λελύπηκενhas caused griefPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · λυπέωmain verb (protasis)→ intensive perfect (an act with lasting effect)λυπέω: 'grieve, cause pain'; the perfect marks the grief as a settled, abiding reality.
οὐκnotnegative
ἐμὲmeAccusativedirect object (emphatic, fronted)ἐμέ: emphatic 'me'; Paul deflects the offense from himself onto the community.
λελύπηκενhas he grievedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · λυπέωmain verb (repeated for emphasis)→ intensive perfect
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἀπὸinpreposition + genitive (idiom: ἀπὸ μέρους = 'in part')
μέρουςpart/measureGenitiveobject of ἀπό (ἀπὸ μέρους, 'in some measure')μέρος: 'part, portion'; the idiom ἀπὸ μέρους tempers the claim — 'to some extent,' qualifying 'all of you.'
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, parenthetical)
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
ἐπιβαρῶI overburdenPres Act Subj 1 Sg · ἐπιβαρέωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ present (general)ἐπιβαρέω: 'put a burden on, be too severe' (ἐπί + βάρος, 'weight'); Paul checks himself from pressing the charge too hard.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (object of λελύπηκεν)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (resumed after the parenthesis)
6
ἱκανὸν τῷ τοιούτῳ ἡ ἐπιτιμία αὕτη ἡ ὑπὸ τῶν πλειόνων,
This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a one,
Asyndeton marks a decisive pronouncement: the community's censure has done its work and need not be prolonged. The fronted ἱκανόν ('sufficient') is the key word.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἱκανὸνsufficientNominativepredicate adjective (fronted, emphatic)ἱκανός: 'enough, sufficient, adequate'; the discipline has reached its proper limit — enough is enough.
τῷfor theDativearticle (substantizes adj.)
τοιούτῳsuch a oneDativedat. of reference (the offender)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; the impersonal reference avoids naming and shaming the man further.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπιτιμίαpunishmentNominativesubjectἐπιτιμία: 'penalty, censure, rebuke'; the formal community discipline imposed on the offender.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (with ἐπιτιμία)
ἡthe (one)Nominativearticle (attributive, with prep. phrase)
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πλειόνωνmajorityGenitivegenitive of agency (the greater number)πλείων: 'more, the greater part, majority'; the comparative used for 'the majority' of the congregation who acted.
7
ὥστε τοὐναντίον μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς χαρίσασθαι καὶ παρακαλέσαι, μή πως τῇ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος.
so that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest such a one be overwhelmed by excessive grief.
The pastoral consequence: since the censure is enough, the church must now reverse course — forgive and console — to keep the man from being engulfed by sorrow.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὥστεso thatconjunction (result, + infinitive)ὥστε: 'so that, with the result that'; here drawing the practical inference from v.6.
τοὐναντίονon the contraryAccusativeadverbial accusative (τὸ ἐναντίον)τοὐναντίον: crasis of τὸ ἐναντίον, 'the opposite, on the contrary'; the church's stance must flip from censure to comfort.
μᾶλλονratheradverb (preference)μᾶλλον: 'rather, more'; reinforcing the reversal toward grace.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitives
χαρίσασθαιto forgiveAor Mid Inf · χαρίζομαιinfinitive (result)→ constative aoristχαρίζομαι: 'show favor, forgive graciously' (from χάρις); forgiveness as a free act of grace.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρακαλέσαιto comfortAor Act Inf · παρακαλέωinfinitive (result, coordinate)→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω: 'call alongside, comfort, encourage'; the verb behind 'comfort' that pervades chs. 1 and 7.
μήlestnegative (with πως, introducing apprehension)
πωςsomehowparticle (μή πως = 'lest somehow')πως: 'somehow'; μή πως expresses the feared possibility to be averted.
τῇtheDativearticle
περισσοτέρᾳexcessiveDativeattributive adjective (comparative)περισσότερος: 'greater, excessive, overabundant'; sorrow beyond measure threatens to destroy.
λύπῃgriefDativedat. of means/causeλύπη: 'sorrow'; here the danger of grief left unrelieved.
καταποθῇbe swallowed upAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · καταπίνωsubjunctive (clause of apprehension)→ ingressive aorist (be engulfed)καταπίνω: 'swallow down, devour, engulf' (κατά + πίνω); a vivid image of being drowned in despair.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
τοιοῦτοςsuch a oneNominativesubject (the offender)τοιοῦτος: 'such a one'; again the discreet, unnamed reference to the disciplined man.
8
διὸ παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς κυρῶσαι εἰς αὐτὸν ἀγάπην·
Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
The direct exhortation drawn from vv.6–7: a formal, almost legal call to 'ratify' love toward the restored offender — public, decisive reinstatement.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore, therefore'; drawing the appeal as a conclusion from the foregoing.
παρακαλῶI urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb→ present (direct appeal)παρακαλέω: 'exhort, urge, appeal'; here the formal language of apostolic entreaty.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
κυρῶσαιto reaffirm/ratifyAor Act Inf · κυρόωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristκυρόω: 'confirm, ratify, validate' (from κῦρος, 'authority'); a legal/official term — to validate love by a binding decision.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (direction/object of love)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of εἰς
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object of κυρῶσαιἀγάπη: 'love'; the love that must now be officially extended to the repentant offender.
9
εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ ἔγραψα ἵνα γνῶ τὴν δοκιμὴν ὑμῶν, εἰ εἰς πάντα ὑπήκοοί ἐστε.
For this is why I also wrote, that I might know your proven character, whether you are obedient in all things.
A further reason for the severe letter: it was a test of their obedience. The phrase εἰς τοῦτο anticipates the ἵνα clause — the purpose was to prove them.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose, anticipatory)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of εἰς (points forward to ἵνα)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ἔγραψαI wroteAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ constative aorist (epistolary)γράφω: 'write'; once more the severe letter, now viewed as a probe of their loyalty.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
γνῶI might knowAor Act Subj 1 Sg · γινώσκωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aorist (come to know)γινώσκω: 'know, ascertain'; Paul wrote to learn by their response what they were made of.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δοκιμὴνproven characterAccusativedirect objectδοκιμή: 'proof, tested character, the quality shown under testing' (from δοκιμάζω, 'to test, approve'); their reliability demonstrated by the trial.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰwhetherconjunction (indirect question)εἰ: here 'whether,' introducing the indirect question that spells out δοκιμή.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (reference)
πάνταall thingsAccusativeobject of εἰς (extent)
ὑπήκοοίobedientNominativepredicate adjectiveὑπήκοος: 'obedient, submissive' (lit. 'listening under'); the mark of proven character Paul hoped to find.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (indirect question)→ stative present
10
ᾧ δέ τι χαρίζεσθε, κἀγώ· καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ ὃ κεχάρισμαι, εἴ τι κεχάρισμαι, δι' ὑμᾶς ἐν προσώπῳ Χριστοῦ,
But to whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven — if I have forgiven anything — has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
Paul binds his own forgiveness to the church's: he ratifies whatever they pardon, doing so 'for your sake' and 'in the presence of Christ' — under Christ's gaze and authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ᾧto whomDativerelative pronoun (indirect object of χαρίζεσθε)
δέbuttransitional conjunction
τιanythingAccusativedirect object (indefinite)τις: 'anything'; the indefinite keeps the principle general.
χαρίζεσθεyou forgivePres Mid Indic 2 Pl · χαρίζομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ present (general principle)χαρίζομαι: 'forgive graciously'; the church's act of pardon that Paul will match.
κἀγώI alsoNominativesubject (crasis καὶ ἐγώ; verb 'forgive' supplied)κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, 'I too'; Paul aligns himself with their decision.
καὶindeedconjunction (καὶ γάρ = 'for indeed')
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (καὶ γάρ)καὶ γάρ: 'for indeed, for in fact'; introducing the confirming explanation.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic)
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κεχάρισμαι)
κεχάρισμαιI have forgivenPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ intensive perfect (forgiveness standing in force)χαρίζομαι: 'forgive'; the perfect marks a forgiveness already granted and abidingly valid.
εἴifconjunction (qualifying condition)
τιanythingAccusativedirect object (indefinite)τις: 'anything'; the qualifier 'if I have forgiven anything' modestly minimizes the personal grievance.
κεχάρισμαιI have forgivenPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb (protasis, repeated)→ intensive perfect
δι'for the sake ofpreposition + accusative (cause/reason)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of διά (reason: 'for your sake')
ἐνinpreposition + dative (presence/sphere)
προσώπῳpresence/faceDativedat. of place (ἐν προσώπῳ = 'in the presence of')πρόσωπον: 'face, presence, person'; the idiom 'in the face/presence of Christ' = before him, as in his sight and by his authority.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possessionΧριστός: 'Christ'; Paul forgives as one acting in Christ's presence and on his behalf.
11
ἵνα μὴ πλεονεκτηθῶμεν ὑπὸ τοῦ Σατανᾶ· οὐ γὰρ αὐτοῦ τὰ νοήματα ἀγνοοῦμεν.
so that we may not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
The ultimate aim of forgiveness: to deny Satan a foothold. Unforgiveness and crushing grief are openings the adversary exploits — and the church is not naive about his tactics.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)
πλεονεκτηθῶμενwe be outwittedAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · πλεονεκτέωsubjunctive (negated purpose)→ ingressive aorist (be taken advantage of)πλεονεκτέω: 'take advantage of, defraud, outwit' (from πλεονέκτης, 'greedy one'); to be cheated or gotten the better of by Satan.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ΣατανᾶSatanGenitivegenitive of agencyΣατανᾶς: 'Satan, the Adversary' (Hebrew śāṭān, 'accuser'); the personal enemy who exploits division and despair.
οὐnotnegative
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
νοήματαdesigns/schemesAccusativedirect object of ἀγνοοῦμεννόημα: 'thought, design, scheme' (from νοῦς, 'mind'); Satan's calculated stratagems — later used of blinded minds (3:14; 4:4).
ἀγνοοῦμενwe are ignorantPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀγνοέωmain verb→ present (ongoing state, here a negated litotes)ἀγνοέω: 'be ignorant, not know'; the litotes 'not ignorant' = 'fully aware.'
12
Ἐλθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν Τρῳάδα εἰς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ θύρας μοι ἀνεῳγμένης ἐν κυρίῳ,
Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me in the Lord,
Paul returns to his itinerary (from 1:15–16; 2:1). Despite an open door for ministry at Troas, the sentence builds toward the unease of v.13 — the gospel opportunity could not still his anxiety over Titus.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Ἐλθὼνhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιtemporal participle→ constative aorist (antecedent action)ἔρχομαι: 'come, arrive'; the participle sets the scene of his arrival at Troas.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction (narrative)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ΤρῳάδαTroasAccusativeobject of εἰς (place)Τρῳάς: Troas, the Aegean port city of NW Asia Minor — a strategic gateway between Asia and Macedonia.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)εὐαγγέλιον: 'good news, gospel'; the purpose of the journey was gospel proclamation.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective genitive (gospel about Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the gospel whose content and Lord is Christ.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θύραςa doorGenitivegenitive absolute (subject)θύρα: 'door'; the metaphor of an 'open door' = a God-given opportunity for ministry (cf. 1 Cor 16:9).
μοιto meDativedat. of advantage
ἀνεῳγμένηςhaving been openedPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · ἀνοίγωgenitive absolute (with θύρας)→ intensive perfect (a door standing open)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; the perfect pictures a door already opened and remaining so — opportunity fully available.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (the door is 'in the Lord')κύριος: 'Lord'; the opportunity was the Lord's own provision.
13
οὐκ ἔσχηκα ἄνεσιν τῷ πνεύματί μου τῷ μὴ εὑρεῖν με Τίτον τὸν ἀδελφόν μου, ἀλλὰ ἀποταξάμενος αὐτοῖς ἐξῆλθον εἰς Μακεδονίαν.
I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus; but taking leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
The apodosis to v.12: even an open door could not quiet Paul's anxiety over the missing Titus, who carried news of Corinth. He breaks off the mission and presses on — the narrative thread is left hanging until 7:5.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
οὐκnotnegative
ἔσχηκαI hadPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ perfect with vivid past force (a felt state of unrest)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the perfect here recalls the felt experience — 'I have had no relief.'
ἄνεσινrest/reliefAccusativedirect objectἄνεσις: 'relaxation, relief, rest' (from ἀνίημι, 'loosen, let go'); the easing of inner tension Paul lacked.
τῷin theDativearticle
πνεύματίspiritDativedat. of sphere (his inner being)πνεῦμα: here Paul's own spirit — the inward seat of his restlessness.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
τῷby theDativearticle (substantizes the infinitive, dat. of cause)
μὴnotnegative (with infinitive)
εὑρεῖνto findAor Act Inf · εὑρίσκωarticular infinitive (causal: 'because of not finding')→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the articular infinitive τῷ μὴ εὑρεῖν gives the cause of his unrest.
μεIAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ΤίτονTitusAccusativedirect object of εὑρεῖνΤίτος: Titus, Paul's trusted Gentile co-worker and envoy to Corinth, whose report Paul anxiously awaited (cf. 7:6–7, 13–15).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφόνbrotherAccusativeapposition to Τίτονἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warm designation of Titus as fellow believer and colleague.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἀποταξάμενοςhaving taken leaveAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποτάσσομαιtemporal/attendant-circumstance participle→ constative aorist (antecedent action)ἀποτάσσομαι: 'take leave of, say farewell, renounce'; Paul bade the Troas believers goodbye.
αὐτοῖςof themDativedat. object of ἀποταξάμενος
ἐξῆλθονI went outAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart' (ἐκ + ἔρχομαι); Paul left Troas behind.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)
ΜακεδονίανMacedoniaAccusativeobject of εἰς (place)Μακεδονία: Macedonia, the northern Roman province (Philippi, Thessalonica); there Titus at last met him (7:5–6).
14
Τῷ δὲ θεῷ χάρις τῷ πάντοτε θριαμβεύοντι ἡμᾶς ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ καὶ τὴν ὀσμὴν τῆς γνώσεως αὐτοῦ φανεροῦντι δι' ἡμῶν ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ·
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place.
The anxious narrative breaks into thanksgiving. The triumph-procession image launches the long apology for Paul's ministry (2:14–7:4): God leads his servants in Christ's triumph, diffusing the gospel's fragrance everywhere.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ΤῷtheDativearticle
δὲbuttransitional conjunction
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient (of thanks)θεός: 'God'; the one to whom thanks is rendered.
χάριςthanksNominativesubject (nom. in 'thanks be' formula; verb supplied)χάρις: here 'thanks, gratitude'; the idiom χάρις τῷ θεῷ = 'thanks be to God.'
τῷwhoDativearticle (substantizes ptc.; apposition to θεῷ)
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)πάντοτε: 'always'; the triumph is continual — no defeat interrupts God's leading.
θριαμβεύοντιleading in triumphPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · θριαμβεύωattributive participle (with τῷ)→ present (characteristic, ongoing action)θριαμβεύω: 'lead in a triumphal procession' (the Roman triumphus); God displays his servants as those led by Christ — paradoxical honor through apparent humiliation.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ptc.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of the triumph)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the triumphant general in whose procession the apostles march.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὀσμὴνfragranceAccusativedirect object of φανεροῦντιὀσμή: 'smell, odor, fragrance'; in a triumph, incense and spices filled the air — here the diffused knowledge of God.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γνώσεωςknowledgeGenitivegenitive of apposition (the fragrance = the knowledge)γνῶσις: 'knowledge'; the experiential knowledge of God that the gospel spreads like perfume.
αὐτοῦof himGenitiveobjective genitive (knowledge of God)
φανεροῦντιmaking manifestPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · φανερόωattributive participle (coordinate with θριαμβεύοντι)→ present (characteristic action)φανερόω: 'make visible, reveal, disclose'; God makes the gospel's fragrance evident through the apostles.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means/agency)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of διά (intermediate agency)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
παντὶeveryDativeattributive adjective
τόπῳplaceDativedat. of placeτόπος: 'place'; the gospel's universal diffusion — 'in every place.'
15
ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμὲν τῷ θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις,
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
Why the apostles spread the fragrance: they themselves are Christ's aroma rising to God, perceptible among two classes of hearers — the saved and the perishing.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of source/possession (fronted)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the aroma is Christ's own — the apostles bear his scent.
εὐωδίαaroma/fragranceNominativepredicate nominativeεὐωδία: 'sweet smell, fragrance' (εὖ + ὄζω); LXX language for the 'pleasing aroma' of acceptable sacrifice (Gen 8:21; Exod 29:18) — now the apostles offered up to God.
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of reference/advantage (the aroma ascends to God)θεός: 'God'; the aroma is pleasing to God regardless of how hearers respond.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
σῳζομένοιςwho are being savedPres Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · σῴζωsubstantival participle→ present passive (process in progress)σῴζω: 'save, rescue, preserve'; the present marks salvation as an ongoing process — those on the way to deliverance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀπολλυμένοιςwho are perishingPres Mid Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἀπόλλυμιsubstantival participle→ present (process in progress)ἀπόλλυμι (mid.): 'perish, be destroyed, be lost'; the present pictures those on the road to ruin (cf. 4:3; 1 Cor 1:18).
16
οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός;
to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
The same aroma divides humanity: lethal to the perishing, life-giving to the saved. The μέν … δέ balance frames the double effect, and the closing question (τίς ἱκανός;) opens the theme of apostolic sufficiency answered in 3:5–6.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οἷςto the oneDativerelative/demonstrative pronoun (dat. of reference)ὅς … μέν: here distributive, 'to these on the one hand.'
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ correlation)
ὀσμὴan aromaNominativepredicate nominative (verb 'we are' implied)ὀσμή: 'odor, smell'; the same scent, opposite effects depending on the recipient.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θανάτουdeathGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)θάνατος: 'death'; 'from death to death' = an intensifying Semitic idiom — wholly deadly to the perishing.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
θάνατονdeathAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)
οἷςto the otherDativerelative/demonstrative pronoun (dat. of reference)
δὲon the other handparticle (δέ answering μέν)
ὀσμὴan aromaNominativepredicate nominative
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ζωῆςlifeGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)ζωή: 'life'; 'from life to life' — wholly life-giving to the saved, the antithesis of the death-stench.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ζωήνlifeAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (reference)
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of πρός (the eternal stakes just named)
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question of insufficiency, resolved in 3:5 ('our adequacy is from God').
ἱκανόςadequateNominativepredicate adjectiveἱκανός: 'sufficient, competent, adequate'; echoes v.6 and anticipates ἱκανότης in 3:5 — no human is equal to such a calling.
17
οὐ γάρ ἐσμεν ὡς οἱ λοιποὶ καπηλεύοντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, ἀλλ' ὡς ἐξ εἰλικρινείας, ἀλλ' ὡς ἐκ θεοῦ κατέναντι θεοῦ ἐν Χριστῷ λαλοῦμεν.
For we are not, like so many, peddling the word of God; but as from sincerity, but as from God, in the sight of God, in Christ we speak.
An implicit answer to v.16's question: Paul and his colleagues are adequate because, unlike the hucksters who corrupt God's word for gain, they speak from sincerity, from God, before God, and in Christ — a fourfold guarantee of integrity.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
οὐnotnegative
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ὡςlikecomparative particle
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
λοιποὶmany/restNominativesubject of implied comparisonλοιπός: 'remaining, rest, the others'; οἱ λοιποί = 'the rest, so many others' — the crowd of rival preachers.
καπηλεύοντεςpeddlingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · καπηλεύωattributive/predicate participle→ present (characteristic practice)καπηλεύω: 'be a κάπηλος (huckster/retailer), to peddle, adulterate for profit'; of tavern-keepers who watered the wine — a charge of corrupting God's word for gain.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativedirect object of ptc.λόγος: 'word, message'; the word of God, made merchandise by the peddlers.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (the word from God)
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong adversative; the repeated ἀλλ' ὡς builds a rhetorical crescendo of contrast.
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
εἰλικρινείαςsincerityGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source/motive)εἰλικρίνεια: 'sincerity, purity of motive' (perhaps 'tested by sunlight,' εἵλη + κρίνω); transparent, unmixed integrity.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (divine origin of the message)θεός: 'God'; their speaking originates with God, not human commerce.
κατέναντιin the sight ofimproper preposition + genitive (before/opposite)κατέναντι: 'over against, in the presence of'; the apostles speak as under God's direct gaze — accountable to him.
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of κατέναντι
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of union)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the sphere in which all true apostolic speech occurs — 'in Christ.'
λαλοῦμενwe speakPres Act Indic 1 Pl · λαλέωmain verb→ customary present (habitual practice)λαλέω: 'speak, utter'; the verb of the apostolic proclamation, here defended as pure and God-derived.