
2 Corinthians 3:1-6
Eighth Sunday after Epiphany B
1 Are we beginningI to commendII ourselves again? Surely we do not need,III as some do,
I “beginning” = archomai. From archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power). This is to begin or rule.
II “commend” = sunistemi. 16x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + histemi (to stand, place, establish, appoint, stand ready, be steadfast). This is to establish, exhibit, demonstrate, stand together, prove.
III “need” = chrezo. 5x in NT. From chre (what is proper, fitting, or necessary); from chraomai (to use, make use of, give what is needed, act in a specific way, request) This is to need, want, or desire.
lettersIV of recommendationV to you or from you, do we? 2 You yourselves areVI our letter, writtenVII on our hearts,VIII
IV “letters” = epistole. Related to “commend” and “recommendation” in v1. From epistello (to write, communicate through letter); {from epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + stello (to send, set, arrange, prepare, gather up); {from histemi (see note II above)}}. This is an epistle, letter, or other written message. This is where the word “epistle” comes from.
V “recommendation” = sustatikos. Related to “commend” in v1. 1x in NT. From sunistemi (see note II above). This is introductory or commendation. It is something that acts as an endorsement.
VI “are” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
VII “written” = eggrapho. 3x in NT. From en (in, on, at, by, with) + grapho (to write, describe). This is to write, record, or inscribe in a register.
VIII “hearts” = kardia. Literally the heart, but figuratively mind, character, inner self, will, intention, thoughts, feelings. Also, the center of something. The word heart is only used figuratively in the Old and New Testaments. This is where “cardiac” comes from.
knownIX and readX by all,XI, XII
IX “known” = ginosko. This is to know, recognize, realize, perceive, learn. It is knowledge gained through personal experience.
X “read” = anaginosko. Related to “known” in v2. From ana (upwards, up, again, back, anew) + ginosko (see note IX above). This is literally to know again – to recognize, read, or discern.
XI “all” = pas. This is all, every.
XII {untranslated} = anthropos. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (become, seem, appear)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.
3 and you showXIII that you are a letter of Christ,XIV preparedXV by us,
XIII “show” = phaneroo. From phaneros (visible, apparent, clear, shining); from phos (light, a source of light, fire, or radiance; light with specific reference to what it reveals; luminousness whether natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative); from phao (to shine or make visible, especially with rays of light); from the same as phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is to make visible or clear, to make known. Properly, it is to illumine and so to make apparent or bring into open view.
XIV “Christ” = Christos. From chrio (consecrate by anointing with oil; often done for prophets, priests, or kings). Literally, the anointed one, Christ. The Greek word for Messiah.
XV “prepared” = diakoneo. From diakonos (servant, minister, waiter, or attendant; a person who performs a service, including religious service); {perhaps from dia (through, across to the other side, thoroughly) + konis (dust) OR from dioko (to chase after, put to flight; by implication, to persecute or to purse like a hunter after its prey; this can be earnestly pursue or zealously persecute); {related to dio (put to flight)}}. This is to wait at table, to serve generally, to minister or administer, to be in the office of deacon. To wait on someone as a slave, friend, or host.
written not with inkXVI but with the SpiritXVII of the livingXVIII God,XIX
XVI “ink” = melan. 3x in NT. From melas (black). This is ink.
XVII “Spirit” = Pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breathe, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
XVIII “living” = zao. This is to live literally or figuratively. It is used for life including the vitality of humans, plants, and animals – it is life physical and spiritual and life everlasting.
XIX “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
not on tabletsXX of stoneXXI but on tablets that are humanXXII hearts.
XX “tablets” = plax. 3x in NT. Perhaps from plasso (to form, mold; to create like a potter shapes clay). This is a tablet or flat surface. In Hebrews, it refers to the tablets of the Ten Commandment.
XXI “of stone” = lithinos. 3x in NT. From lithos (stone literal of figurative). This is stony or made from stone. It is used of stone jars, tablets, or idols made of stone.
XXII “human” = sarkinos. 4x in NT. From sarx (the body, human nature, being related; not always evil in scripture as when it refers to Jesus taking on a human body; generally used in a negative way for actions made selfishly and not through faith; can mean meat from an animal, or refer to body in contrast to soul/spirit; can be a way of talking about how things or people are related or talking about human frailty, physical or moral); may be from saroo (to sweep, cleanse); from sairo (to brush off). This is flesh, the body, human nature, materiality, kindred. Flesh is not always evil in scripture (as when it refers to Jesus taking on a human body). This is fleshly, physical, soft. It can also be carnal.
4 SuchXXIII is the confidenceXXIV that we haveXXV through Christ toward God.
XXIII “such” = toioutos. From toios (such) + houtos (this, they, that, third person pronoun); {probably from ho (the) + autos (he, she, self, they, same)}. This is of this kind, such, like. It could refer to one’s character or individuality.
XXIV “confidence” = pepoithesis. 6x in NT. From peitho (to have confidence, urge, be persuaded, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust). This is persuasion, confidence, trust. It is related to the Greek word for faith – pistis.
XXV “have” = echo. This is to have, hold, possess.
5 Not that we are qualifiedXXVI of ourselves to claimXXVII anything as coming from us; our qualificationXXVIII is from God,
XXVI “qualified” = hikanos. From hikneomai (to reach, come to, attain). This is sufficient, suitable, adequate, competent, ample.
XXVII “claim” = logizomai. From logos (word, statement, speech, analogy; here, word as an account or accounting; can also be a word that carries an idea or expresses a thought, a saying; a person with a message or reasoning laid out in words; by implication, a topic, line of reasoning, or a motive; can be used for a divine utterance or as Word – Christ); from lego (to speak, tell, mention). This is this is to compute or reckon up, to count; figuratively, it is coming to a conclusion or decision using logic; taking an inventory in a literal or figurative sense.
XXVIII “qualification” = hikanotes. Related to “qualified” in v5. 1x in NT. From hikanos (see note XXVI above). This is ability, fitness, adequacy.
6 who has made us qualifiedXXIX to be ministersXXX of a newXXXI covenant,XXXII
XXIX “qualified” = hikanoo. Related to “qualified” and “qualification” in v5. 2x in NT. From hikanos (see note XXVI above). This is to qualify, enable, make fit.
XXX “ministers” = diakonos. Related to “prepared” in v3. See note XV above.
XXXI “new” = kainos. This is not new as in new versus old. This is new in the sense of novel, innovative, or fresh.
XXXII “covenant” = diatheke. From diatithemi (to place separately – to make a will or covenant; this is arranging ahead of time how things will be accomplished); {from dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + tithemi (to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense; properly, this is placing something in a passive or horizontal position)}. This is a will, covenant, contract, or agreement.
not of letterXXXIII but of spirit,XXXIV for the letterXXXV kills,XXXVI but the Spirit gives life.XXXVII
XXXIII “letter” = gramma. Related to “written” in v2. 15x in NT. From grapho (see note VII above). This is something drawn or written. So, it could be a letter of the alphabet, an epistle, a book, literature, etc.
XXXIV “spirit” = pneuma. Same as “Spirit” in v3. See note XVII above.
XXXV “letter” = gramma. Same as “letter” in v6. See note XXXIII above.
XXXVI “kills” = apokteino. From apo (from, away from) + kteino (to kill). To put to death, kill, slay. Figuratively, this word can mean abolish, destroy, or extinguish.
XXXVII “gives life” = zoopoieo. Related to “living” in v3. 11x in NT. From the same as zoon (literally a thing that is alive; so, an animal or living creature); {from zao (see note XVIII above)} + poieo (to make, do, construct, cause). This is to bring life to something, including something that was dead. This can also be to revitalize in a literal or figurative sense.
Image credit: “Bleeding heart (17342424142)” by Blondinrikard Fröberg, 2015.