1 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (12:2) οἶδα aorist active γινώσκω. ἔτος, ους, ὁ = year under BDAG 401b. σῶμα, ατος, τό = body of a human being or animal, body, dead body, corpse; the living body; plant and seed structure, body; substantive reality, the thing itself the reality; a unified group of people, body under BDAG 983a. ἐκτός = the outside surface of something, the outside; a position not contained within a specific area, outside under BDAG 310a. εἴτε ~ εἰ ἁρπαγέντα aorist passive participle ἁρπάζω = to make off with someone s property by attacking or seizing, steal, carry off, drag away; to grab or seize suddenly so as to remove or gain control, snatch/take away under BDAG 134a. οὐρανός, οῦ, ὁ = the portion or portions of the universe generally distinguished from planet earth, heaven; transcendental abode, heaven; an indirect reference to God, God (a common Hebrew practice, but not unknown among polytheists) under BDAG 737b. Grammatical note = Improper Prepositions. ἕως (146x) (90x as preposition). until, to, up to, as far as. See KMP, 409. (12:3) τοιῦτος, αὐτη, οῦτον = pertaining to being like some person or thing mentioned in a context, of such a kind, such as this, like such under BDAG 1009b. χωρίς = pertaining to occurring separately or being separate, separately, apart, by itself; pertaining to the absence or lack of something, without, apart from, independent(ly of) under BDAG 1095a. (12:4)
2 ἡρπάγη aorist passive ἁρπάζω. παράδεισος, ου, ὁ = the garden of Eden, paradise; a transcendant place of blessedness, paradise under BDAG 761a. ἤκουσεν aorist active ἀκούω. ἄρρητος, ον = (of something) that cannot be expressed, since it is beyond human powers, inexpressible; (of something) that must not be expressed, since it is holy, not to be spoken under BDAG 134b. ῥῆμα, ατος, τό = that which is said, word, saying, expression, or statement of ay kind; (after the Hebrew) an event that can be spoken about, thing, object, matter,?דבר event under BDAG 905a. So much like ἐξὸν present active participle ἔξειμι I = to depart from an area, go out, go away BDAG 347a. λαλῆσαι aorist active infinitive λαλέω = to make a sound, sound, give forth sounds/tones; to utter words, talk, speak; speak, express oneself under BDAG 582a. (12:5) καυχήσομαι future middle καυχάομαι = to take pride in something, boast, glory, pride oneself, brag, (intransitive); to make a boast about something, boast about, mention in order to boast of, be proud of; act of taking pride in something or that which constitutes a source of pride, boast; expression of pride, boast, what is said in boasting under BDAG 536b. ἀσθένεια, ας, ἡ = a state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease; incapacity for something or experience of limitations, weakness; lack of confidence or feeling of inadequacy, weakness under BDAG 142a. (12:6) θελήσω aorist active subjunctive θέλω = to have a desire for something, wish to have, desire, want; to have something in mind for oneself, of purpose, resolve, will, wish, want, be ready; to take pleasure in, like; to have an opinion, maintain under BDAG 447b.
3 καυχήσασθαι aorist middle infinitive καυχάομαι. ἔσομαι future middle ἐιμί. ἄφρων, ον = pertaining to lack of prudence or good judgment, foolish, ignorant under BDAG 159a. ἀλήθεια, ας, ἡ = the quality of being in accord with what is true, truthfulness, dependability; the content of what is true, truth; an actual event or state, reality under BDAG 42a. ἐρῶ - future active λέγω. φεἰδομαι = to save from loss or discomfort, spare; to abstain from doing something, refrain under BDAG 1051a. λογίσηται aorist middle subjunctive λογίζομαι = to determine by mathematical process, reckon, calculate, (frequently in a transferred sense); to give careful thought to a matter, think (about), consider, ponder, let one s mind dwell on; to hold a view about something, think, believe, be of the opinion; to hold a view about something, think, believe, be of the opinion under BDAG 598a. μή τις εἰς ἐμὲ λογίσηται ὑπὲρ ὃ βλέπει με ἢ ἀκούει [τι] ἐξ ἐμοῦ - Moderately challenging clause. Literally no one of me will think more (than) what he sees or what he hears of me. Why is one of the relative pronouns masculine and the other feminine? (12:7) ὑπερβολή, ῆς, ἡ = state of exceeding to an extraordinary degree a point on a scale of extent, (the context indicating whether in a good or a bad sense), excess, extraordinary quality/character under BDAG 1032b. ἀποκάλυψις, εως, ἡ = making fully known, revelation, disclosure; (as part of a book title) Revelation under BDAG 112a. ὑπεραίρωμαι present passive subjunctive ὑπεραίρω = to have an undue sense of one s self-importance, rise up, exalt oneself under BDAG 1031b.
4 ἐδόθη aorist passive δίδωμι. σκόλοψ, οπος, ὁ = (originally anything pointed such as a (pointed) stake, then something that causes serous annoyance) thorn, splinter (and so on) (specifically of an injurious foreign body) under BDAG 930b. κολαφίζῃ - present active subjunctive κολαφίζω = to strike sharply, especially with the hand, strike with the fist, beat, cuff; to cause physical impairment, torment, (figurative extension of 1, of painful attacks of an illness) under BDAG 555b. It appears that scholars offer a variety of explanations for what this σκόλοψ is. I once heard a pastor explain it as malaria. Which might be persuasive. Except it went hand in hand with the explanation that Paul would also have had hallucinations. I wondered if this pastor was attempting to undermine the trustworthiness of Paul. ὑπεραίρωμαι present passive subjunctive. See above. διο 1 ἱνα μη ὑπεραιρωμαι 2 Grammatical note = Tense and Verbal Aspect. Going Deeper. Because of the extraordinary revelations Paul received, he writes, A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself (2 Cor 12:7). The apostle here employs a ἵνα clause to introduce the purpose of the messenger of Satan, ἵνα με κολαφιζη ( to torment me ). The verb translated torment is the present active subjunctive third person singular of κολαφιζω. One notes commentator remarks, The use of the present tense seems to imply that the thorn in the flesh was a permanent affliction under which the apostle continued to suffer. The commentator seems to indicate that, conversely, if Paul had chosen the aorist tense (the only other option for this subjective clause), then the torment Paul described would have been limited in duration or already past. In fact, while the exegete may be right in his conclusion the basis for the argument is invalid. By employing the present tense-form in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul chooses to 1 {D} διο א A B G Euthalius. omit 46 D K P Ψ Theodoret John-Damascus. 2 {C} ἱνα μη ὑπεραιρωμαι א 46 c B I vid K (P ὑπεραιρομαι) Ψ Jerome Palladius Euthalius Theodoret (John-Damascus ὑπεραιρομαι). omit *א A D G Irenaeus gr, lat Chrysostom 1/6 Augustine.
5 present his torment in progressive fashion, but does not indicate the time limit (or lack thereof) of that progressive depiction. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find such unguarded statements about tense and time in the commentary literature. See KMP, 227. (12:8) παρεκάλεσα aorist active παρακαλέω = to ask to come and be present where the speaker is, call to one s side; to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage; to make a strong request for something, request, implore, entreat; to install someone with courage or cheer, comfort, encourage, cheer up; treat someone in an inviting or congenial manner under BDAG 764b. ἀποστῇ - aorist active subjunctive ἀφίστημι = to cause someone to move from a reference point, (transitive, in our literature in reference to altering allegiance) cause to revolt, mislead; to distance oneself from some person or thing, go away, withdraw; keep away under BDAG 157b. (12:9) εἴρηκέν perfect active λέγω. ἀρκέω = (active) be enough, sufficient, adequate; (passive) be satisfied/content with something under BDAG 131b. χάρις, ιτος, ἡ = a winning quality or attractiveness that invites a favorable reaction, graciousness, attractiveness, charm, winsomeness; a beneficent disposition toward someone, favor, grace, gracious care/help, goodwill; practical application of goodwill, (a sign of) favor, gracious deed/gift, benefaction; exceptional effect produced by generosity, favor; response to generosity or beneficence, thanks, gratitude under BDAG 1079b. δύναμις, εως, ἡ = potential for functioning in some way, power, might, force, capability; ability to carry out something, ability, capability; a deed that exhibits ability to function powerfully, deed of power, miracle, wonder; something that serves as an adjunct of power, resource; an entity of being, whether human or transcendent, that functions in a remarkable manner, power; the capacity to convey thought, meaning under BDAG 262a.
6 τελεῖται present passive τελέω = to complete an activity or process, bring to an end, finish, complete; to carry out an obligation or demand, carry out, accomplish, perform, fulfill, keep (something); to pay what is due, pay under BDAG 997b. ἥδιστα comparative ἡδέως = pertaining to being pleased in connection with something, gladly under BDAG 434a. μᾶλλον = to a greater or higher degree, more; for a better reason, rather, all the more; (more (surely), more (certainly), how much more surely to you; marker of an alternative to something, rather (in the sense) instead under BDAG 613b. καυχήσομαι future middle καυχάομαι. ἐπισκηνώσῃ - aorist active subjunctive ἐπισκηνόω = to use a place for lodging, take up quarters, take up one s abode under BDAG 378b. Grammatical note = Superlative for Elative. As Wallace observes, Apart from πρωτος and ἐσχατος, the superlative is used about as frequently for the elative as is it for the superlative. For other possible examples of the superlative for elative, see 2 Corinthians 12:9. Note that in some cases the English translation is superlative, but the sense is elative. See KMP, 173-74 and n63. Grammatical note = Progressive Present. This use of the present tense-form conveys an action that is in progress, as opposed to an action performed instantaneously. The action is viewed as continuous but should not be confused with an action that is repeated, regularly performed, or is a general truth that is timeless. The progressive present is consistent with the progressive aspect in that it presents an action as in progress or in the process of being accomplished. Consequently, it is usually best translated as a continuous present with the helping verb is/are. This use is especially common in narratives where the verb occurs in direct (or sometimes indirect) discourse. For more examples of the progressive present, see 2 Cor 12:9 (τελειται). See KMP, 255-56 and n5. (12:10) εὐδοκέω = to consider something as good and therefore worthy of choice, consent, determine, resolve; to take pleasure or find satisfaction in something, be well pleased, take delight under BDAG 404a.
7 ὕβρις, εως, ἡ = the quality or state of being insolent, insolence, arrogance; the experience of insolence, shame, insult, mistreatment, (the passive sense); damage caused by use of force, (figurative) hardship, disaster, damage under BDAG 1022b. ἀνάγκη, ης, ἡ = necessity or constraint as inherent in the nature of things, necessity, pressure (of any kind); a state of distress or trouble, distress, calamity, pressure (characteristic of later Gk); (concrete for abstract) compulsion by forcible means, torture under BDAG 60b. διωγμός, οῦ, ὁ = pertaining to being uncertain about the truth of something, doubting, hesitating, (literally) double minded under BDAG 253b. στενοχωρία, ας, ἡ = (figurative) a set of stressful circumstances, distress, difficulty, anguish, trouble under BDAG 943a. ἀσθενέω = to suffer a debilitating illness, be sick; to experience some person incapacity or limitation, be weak (of weakness in general); to experience a lack of material necessities, be in need under BDAG 142b. The last similar to Hebrew?חסר δυνατός, ή, όν = pertaining to being capable or competent; pertaining to being possible (neuter) under BDAG 264a. και 3 3 {C} και 46 *א B Origen. ἐν א e A D G K P Ψ Theodoret John-Damascus. και ἐν 0243 630 1739 1881 arm.