Lectionary Year B
June 22, 2003
2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Step I: Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) Comparing the 1949 and 1965 Bible in Basic English and the 1996 Contemporary English Version:

1b not to take the grace of God to no purpose. - BBE
to make good use of God's kindness to you. - CEV

7b with the arms of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, - BBE
In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. - CEV

8 By glory and by shame, by an evil name and a good one; as untrue and still true; - BBE
Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. - CEV

9a Unnoted, but still kept fully in mind; - BBE
We are unknown to others, but well known to you. - CEV

13a Now to give me back payment of the same sort (I am talking as to my children), - BBE
I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. - CEV

B. Textural Criticism

(JFC) 1 Papyrus 46 and some Greek-Latin bilinguals among the western witnesses have parakalountej, a participle, in place of the present, active, indicative parakalou/men, seemingly to make it more lasting a plea, which could well have been intended originally, although several other editions retain the text as printed. 2 For euvpro,sdektoj, several western witnesses prefer a shorter version of the word, dektoj, with a similar meaning, although, the added letters do convey an element of what might warrant being used here. We'll see as the study progresses. At the end of the 3rd verse, several western witnesses add, hmwn, which seems to be helpful since no such genitive, plural pronoun exists otherwise in the received text. 9 For the passive participle of paideuo,menoi, "taught, disciplined, educated, instructed", some witnesses want a stronger word, peirozomenoi, "put to the test, tried, proved," which might have been the original intent here.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 But we are working together and encouraging not to no purpose the hand of the God to take/accept/receive [aorist, passive, infinitive] you [acc]; 2 for He/it says: In time acceptable I listened to you [sing] And in a day of salvation I helped you [sing]. Behold now (is) time acceptable, behold now (is) (the) day of salvation. 3 Nothing in no way are we giving cause for offense, in order that not be found fault with [aorist, passive, subjunctive] the ministry/mission of ours, 4 but in every (thing) we are demonstrating ourselves to be as God's servants, in perseverance much, in trouble/distress/suffering, in necessity/sense of duty, in calamity/difficulty, 5 in plagues/misfortunes/beatings/wounds, in prisons, in insurrections/maltreatments, in labor/trouble/hardship, in sleeplessness nights, in hunger/starvations, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in Spirit Holy, in love genuine, 7 in word of truth, in (the) power of God; through the tools/instruments of the righteousness of the right hands and of the left hands, 8 through the honor and dishonor, through slander and a good reputation; as in the sense of deceivers and of honest (people), 9 as being disregarded and being known [present, passive, participle], as being at death's door and behold we live, as being whipped/scourged and not are we put to death, 10 as being injured/put to grieving yet always rejoicing, as poor but many are we enriching, as nothing having and all (things) we are possessing. 11 The speech of ours is opening to you, Corinthians, the heart of ours is opened [perfect, passive, indicative]; 12 not is held in check/limited in us, but is held in check the heart/affection/love of yours; 13 but the same response, as unto children I speak, be opened wide [aorist, passive, imperative] also you [nom].



| Return to Gospel text listings | Return to Epistle text listings |
| Return to Old Testament listings | Return to Psalm listings |
| User response form |