Paul's Apostolic Authority and Ministry by the Spirit
2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6
2Cor.2.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ελθων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Τρωαδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ευαγγελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- θυρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ανεωγμενης: VERB,perf,pass,part,gen,f,sg
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:8-11 (structural): Same geographical setting (Troas) and narrative context in Paul's travels; Acts records Paul's arrival at Troas and the Macedonian vision that shaped his mission from that city.
- Acts 20:5-12 (structural): Another New Testament episode set in Troas where Paul ministers (including the Eutychus incident), paralleling Paul's activity and presence in that city.
- 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (verbal): Uses the same metaphor of a 'door opened' (Greek: θυρα ανεωγμενη) for evangelistic opportunity — 'a great and effective door is opened unto me' — closely echoing 2 Cor 2:12.
- Colossians 4:3 (verbal): Paul (or Pauline circle) requests prayer that God would 'open unto us a door of utterance' — the same imagery of an opened door enabling proclamation of the gospel.
- Revelation 3:8 (allusion): Uses the image of an 'open door' set by the Lord—here applied to the church's opportunity—resonating with 2 Cor 2:12's motif of a Lord‑opened opportunity for ministry.
Alternative generated candidates
- When I came to Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me in the Lord,
- When I came to Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ, a door was opened to me in the Lord.
2Cor.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εσχηκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- ανεσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μη: PART
- ευρειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- Τιτον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αδελφον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αλλα: CONJ
- αποταξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptcp,masc,sg,nom
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- εξηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- Μακεδονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 (structural): Gives the narrative follow-up: God comforted Paul by the coming of Titus, explaining why Titus' absence in 2:13 caused Paul no rest and why Titus' arrival mattered.
- 2 Corinthians 7:13 (structural): Refers again to Titus' visit and the consolation he brought concerning the Corinthians, reinforcing the same episode alluded to in 2:13.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16-23 (verbal): Discusses Titus (and other delegates) as Paul's trusted envoy in the collection and in dealings with the churches, illustrating Titus' ongoing role referenced in 2:13.
- 2 Corinthians 1:15-16 (structural): Describes Paul's travel plans involving Macedonia and a hoped-for visit sequence, paralleling his movement to Macedonia immediately after Troas in 2:13.
- Acts 16:9-10 (thematic): Records Paul's call to move into Macedonia; thematically parallels the missionary pattern and the decision to go on to Macedonia that appears in 2:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; so taking leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
- But I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find Titus my brother; so I took my leave of them and went on into Macedonia.
2Cor.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- παντοτε: ADV
- θριαμβευοντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οσμην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γνωσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- φανερουντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- δι᾽ημων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,1
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τοπω·: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 (verbal): Immediate context: expands the same 'fragrance' and 'knowledge of Christ' imagery and contrasts how the aroma is perceived by different audiences (saved/perishing).
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 (thematic): Similar emphasis on God revealing the 'knowledge' or 'light' of Christ to believers — both verses stress divine disclosure of Christ's person through God's agency.
- Colossians 2:15 (verbal): Uses triumphal imagery (Christ 'triumphing' over powers); parallels Paul’s depiction of being led in a divine triumph 'in Christ' (the language of victory/procession).
- Ephesians 5:2 (thematic): Uses scent/fragrance language (Christ's self-offering as a 'fragrant' sacrifice) — parallels the cultic/olfactory metaphor of believers manifesting Christ's pleasing aroma to God and others.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 (thematic): Both verses highlight that God works 'through us' to represent Christ (we are ambassadors/manifestations), stressing human agency under God's initiative in making Christ known.
Alternative generated candidates
- But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and, through us, makes the fragrance of the knowledge of him known in every place.
- But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place.
2Cor.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ευωδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- σωζομενοις: PART,pres,pass,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- απολλυμενοις: PART,pres,pass,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 (verbal): Uses the same fragrance imagery—'the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ'—as the immediate context that introduces the odor metaphor in v.15.
- 2 Corinthians 2:16 (verbal): Direct continuation/contrast of v.15—specifies divergent responses to the 'fragrance' (life to some, death to others).
- Ephesians 5:2 (thematic): Describes Christ's self-giving as 'a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,' echoing the language of pleasing aroma applied to Christ's work.
- Philippians 4:18 (verbal): Paul speaks of gifts as 'an aroma of a fragrant sacrifice, pleasing to God,' using the same 'fragrance/pleasing to God' formula found in 2 Cor 2:15.
- Leviticus 1:9 (allusion): OT sacrificial formula repeatedly calls offerings 'a pleasing aroma to the LORD'; Paul adapts this cultic/ritual language to describe Christian witness as a pleasing aroma to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
- For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
2Cor.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- οσμη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- θανατον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οσμη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- ζωης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- ζωην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ικανος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (verbal): Same paragraph and imagery: Paul speaks of God 'spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of him' and explicitly calls believers 'to God the aroma (fragrance) of Christ'—direct verbal and contextual parallel.
- 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (thematic): Juxtaposes death and life in the ministry: 'always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested'—echoes the death/ life consequence contrast in 2:16.
- Ephesians 5:2 (verbal): Describes Christ's self-giving as 'a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God'—uses sacrificial/aroma language that underlies Paul's 'fragrance' metaphor.
- Leviticus 1:9 (allusion): OT sacrificial formula 'a pleasing aroma to the LORD' provides the cultic background for Paul's aroma/fragrance language, linking sacrifice, divine acceptance, and perceived effect (life or death).
Alternative generated candidates
- to the one a fragrance from death unto death, and to the other a fragrance from life unto life. Who is sufficient for these things?
- To the one a fragrance from death that leads to death, to the other a fragrance from life that leads to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2Cor.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ως: ADV
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- καπηλευοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αλλ᾽ως: ADV
- εξ: PREP
- ειλικρινειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αλλ᾽ως: ADV
- εκ: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κατεναντι: PREP
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- λαλουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 4:2 (verbal): Paul explicitly contrasts his ministry with deceptive handling of God’s word—language and concern echo 2 Cor 2:17’s rejection of 'peddling' the word.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5 (thematic): Both verses stress Christ‑centred proclamation and disavow self‑promotion: 'we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus' parallels speaking 'from God, before God, in Christ.'
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (thematic): Paul warns of 'false apostles' and deceitful workers who disguise themselves—this complements 2:17’s contrast between sincere ministers and those who peddle the word.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (verbal): Paul describes his message as spoken 'not in pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts,' resonating with 2:17’s emphasis on speaking 'as from God, before God.'
- Galatians 1:10 (thematic): Paul asks whether he seeks to please men or God—this concern for divine approval parallels 2:17’s claim to sincerity and divine origin in ministry.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we are not, like many, peddlers of God's word; but as from sincerity, as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
- For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
2Cor.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αρχομεθα: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- παλιν: ADV
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- συνιστανειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μη: PART
- χρηζομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ως: ADV
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- συστατικων: ADJ,gen,pl,f
- επιστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- προς: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same argument: Paul replies that the Corinthians themselves are his 'epistle...written in our hearts,' which explains why he does not need external letters of commendation.
- 1 Corinthians 9:2 (thematic): Paul appeals to the Corinthians themselves as evidence of his apostleship ('Are ye not my work in the Lord?'), a similar move to using converts rather than written credentials as proof of authority.
- Acts 18:27 (thematic): Gives an example of the common practice of letters of recommendation in the early church (Apollos received letters to Achaia), providing background contrast to Paul's rejection of such external endorsements.
- 2 Corinthians 10:10 (thematic): Addresses the relationship between Paul's letters and his personal presence ('For his letters...are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak'), engaging the same theme of how written testimony and personal authority are received.
Alternative generated candidates
- Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
- Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2Cor.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιστολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εγγεγραμμενη: PART,perf,pas,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- καρδιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- γινωσκομενη: PART,pres,pas,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αναγινωσκομενη: PART,pres,pas,nom,sg,f
- υπο: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων·: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:3 (verbal): Immediate continuation—expands the 'letter written in our hearts' metaphor: 'not with ink but with the Spirit... on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.'
- Jeremiah 31:33 (allusion): Old Testament background for 'written in the heart': 'I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.'
- Hebrews 8:10 (quotation): Cites Jeremiah 31:33 in describing the new covenant—God's law written on hearts—parallel theological theme to Paul's metaphor.
- Romans 2:15 (thematic): Speaks of the law written on the heart/conscience (natural law), echoing the idea of inward moral inscription manifested outwardly.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (thematic): Describes a community's faith being widely known and proclaimed—parallel to 'known and read by all men' as public testimony of believers.
Alternative generated candidates
- You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all people.
- You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all people.
2Cor.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- φανερουμενοι: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- επιστολη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- διακονηθεισα: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,sg,f
- υφ᾽ημων: PREP
- εγγεγραμμενη: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- μελανι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ζωντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εν: PREP
- πλαξιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- λιθιναις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- αλλ᾽εν: CONJ
- πλαξιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- καρδιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- σαρκιναις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Jeremiah 31:33 (quotation): The promise that God will 'put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts' is the Old Testament antecedent Paul echoes when he says Christians are written not on tablets of stone but on hearts.
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (allusion): God's giving of a 'new heart' and putting his Spirit within to enable obedience underlies Paul's contrast between inscription by ink/stone and inscription by the Spirit in human hearts.
- Hebrews 8:10 (quotation): The author of Hebrews explicitly cites Jeremiah 31:33—'I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts'—applying the same new-covenant language Paul echoes about Spirit-writen hearts.
- Romans 2:15 (thematic): Paul's depiction of an inward moral law—gentiles' conscience bearing witness to God's law—resonates with the theme of God's truth being 'written' internally on hearts rather than externally on stone.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6 (verbal): Close verbal and thematic continuation in the same letter: verse 6 develops the contrast 'not of the letter but of the Spirit,' reinforcing the claim that believers are a Spirit-written epistle rather than an ink-written document.
Alternative generated candidates
- Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us—written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
- You show that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us—written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2Cor.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Πεποιθησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- τοιαυτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- εχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Eph.3.12 (verbal): Speaks of 'boldness and access with confidence through faith in him' — closely parallels 2 Cor 3:4's 'confidence through Christ toward God,' linking confidence/access to Christ.
- Heb.4.16 (thematic): Invites believers to 'approach the throne of grace with confidence' — a parallel theme of confident access to God in prayer and presence.
- Rom.5.2 (thematic): Says 'through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand' — connects the idea of access to God and standing before Him through Christ.
- 1 John 5.14 (verbal): Uses the formula 'this is the confidence that we have toward him' regarding prayer — echoes the language of confidence toward God found in 2 Cor 3:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- And such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
- And we have such confidence through Christ toward God.
2Cor.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουχ: PART,neg
- οτι: CONJ
- αφ᾽εαυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,reflexive
- ικανοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- λογισασθαι: VERB,aor,mp,inf
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ως: ADV
- εξ: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- αλλ᾽η: CONJ+ART,nom,sg,f
- ικανοτης: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:4 (structural): Immediate context: Paul links his confidence not to self but to God (confidence through Christ toward God), forming the surrounding argument about divine, not human, sufficiency.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6 (verbal): Same paragraph uses the verb and concept of being 'made able' (ἱκανός/ἱκανότης): God is the one who equips ministers—directly parallels 'our sufficiency is from God.'
- 1 Corinthians 4:7 (thematic): Paul challenges boasting in oneself—'what have you that you did not receive?'—echoing the theme that any ability or status is not of the self but a gift.
- Romans 9:16 (allusion): Principle that outcomes are not of human will or effort but of God ('it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy') resonates with Paul’s claim that sufficiency comes from God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves; rather our sufficiency is from God,
- Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as from ourselves; rather our sufficiency is from God,
2Cor.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ικανωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- διακονους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- καινης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- διαθηκης: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- ου: PART,neg
- γραμματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- γραμμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αποκτεννει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ζωοποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (allusion): Announces the coming 'new covenant' in which God will write his law on hearts—background for Paul's contrast between the old (letter) and the new (Spirit).
- Romans 7:6 (verbal): Speaks of serving 'in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter,' closely echoing 2 Cor 3:6's 'not of the letter but of the Spirit.'
- Romans 8:2 (thematic): Describes 'the law of the Spirit of life' that frees from 'the law of sin and death,' paralleling 2 Cor 3:6's claim that the Spirit gives life while the letter kills.
- Galatians 3:10-14 (thematic): Contrasts the curse/condemnation under the law with the redemption in Christ and the promise received by faith—related to Paul's critique of reliance on the letter.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3 (verbal): Immediately connected context: believers are described as a 'letter of Christ' written not with ink but with the Spirit, reinforcing the 'not of the letter but of the Spirit' motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- who has also made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
When I came to Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord. But I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus there; so, taking leave of them, I went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us makes the fragrance of the knowledge of him evident everywhere.
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
For we are not, like many, peddlers of God’s word; but with sincerity, as from God, we speak in Christ before God.
Are we beginning again to recommend ourselves? Or do we need—like some—letters of recommendation to you or from you?
You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all people.
Clearly you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. And such confidence we have through Christ toward God.
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves; our adequacy is from God.
He who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.