2 Corinthians 10-13: more anti-Semitism; "Paul" tries to construct a plausible history of himself

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αυτος δε εγω Παυλος παρακαλω υμας δια της πραυτητος και επιεικειας του χιρστου ος κατα προσωπον μεν ταπεινος εν υμιν απων δε θαρρω εις υμας

*  Paul, myself urge you, by Christ’s meekness and gentleness—who, as to appearance, am humble among you, but bold toward you when absent

δεομαι δε το μη παρν θαρρησαι τη πεποιθησει η λογιζομαι πολμησαι επι τινας τους λογιζομενους ημας ως κατα σαρκα περπατουντας

 *  implore you that, not being present I should be bold with the confidence with which I reckon, daring towards some who reckon of us as walking according to flesh.

Εν σαρκι γαρ περπατουντες ου κατα σαρκα στρατευομεθα

*Walking in flesh, we are not warring on flesh. 

Τα γαρ οπλα της στρατειας ημων ου σαρκικα αλλα δυνατα τω θεω προς καθαιρεσιν οχυρωματων

*  Our weapons of warfare are not fleshly powerful in God to destroy strongholds.

λογισμους καθαιρουντες και παν υψωμα επαιρομενον κατα της γνωσεως του θεου και αιχμαλωτιζοντες παν νοημα εις την υπακοην του χριστου

 * Overthrowing arguments and every high thing lifting itself up against God’s knowledge, and leading every thought into Christ’s obedience.

και εν ετιομω εχοντες εκδικησαι πασαν παρακοην οταν πληρωθη υμων η υπακοη

* Having in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience might be fulfilled.

This sounds like it is being addressed to God rather than to Corinthians.

Τα κατα προσωπον βλεπετε ει τις πεποιθεν εαυτω χριστου ειναι τουτο λογιζεσθω παλιν εφ εαυτου οτι καθως αυτος χριστου ουτως και ημεις 

* Do you look things according to appearance. If anyone is persuaded in himself to be Christ’s, let him reckon again within himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.

Εαν τε γαρ περισσοτερον τι καυχησωμαι περι της εξουσιας ημων ης δεωκεν ο κυριος εις οικοδομην και ουκ εις καθαιρεσιν ημων ουκ αισχυνθησομαι

* If I boast somewhat more abundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.

Ινα μη δοξω ως αν εκφοβειν υμας δια τνω επιστολων

 * That I might not seem frightening to you through letters.

Οτι αι επιστολαι μεν φησιν βαρειαι και ισχθραι η δε παρουσια του σωματος ασθενης και ο λογος εξοθθενημενος

 * Because the letters, they say, “are weighty and strong, but the presence of the body is weak, and the word nought.”

Τουτο λογιζεσθω ο τοιουτος οτι οιοι εσμεν τω λογω δι επιστολων αποντες τοιουτοι και παροντες τω εργω

* Let such a one reckon that such are we are in word through letters when absent, so we are when present.

Ου γαρ τολμωμεν ενκριναι η συνκριναι εαυτους τισιν των εαυτους συνιστανοντων αλλα αυτοι εν εαυτοις εαυτους μετρουντες και συνκρινοντες εαυτους εαυτοις ου συνιασιν

 * We do not dare to rank among or compare ourselves with some of those commending themselves. But these, by measuring themselves and comparing themselves with one another, do not understand.

ημεις δε ουκ εις τα αμετρα καυχησομεθα αλλα κατα το μετρον του κανονος ου εμερισεν υμιν ο θεος μετρου εφικεσθαι αχρι και υμων

* But we will not boast about things beyond measure, but will boast only with regard to the measure of the area which God divided in us of measure to reach as far as you.

Ου γαρ ως μη εφικουμενοι εις υμας υπερεκτεινομεν εαυτους αχρι γαρ και υμων εφθασαμεν εν τω ευαγγελιω του χριστου

 * Not reaching you, we are not overextending ourselves, as afar as you. We came to you in the good news of Christ.

Ουκ εις τα αμετρα καυχωμενοι εν αλλοτριοις κοποις ελπιδα δε εχοντες αυξανομενης της πιστεως υμων εν υμιν μεγαλυνθηναι κατα τον κανονα ημων εις περισσειαν

 * Not boasting beyond measure in others’ labors. Having hope, increasing your faith increases, to be greatly enlarged among you according to our area, in abundance,

εις τα υπερεκεινα υμων ευαγγελισασθαι ουκ εν αλλορτι κανονι εις τα ετοιμα καυχησασθαι

* In those beyond you, to bring the good news, not in another’s area, as to things ready to boast.

Ο δε μαυχωμενος εν κυριω καυχασθω

* The one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

An inaccurate citation of Jer 9:24:  “but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.”

Ου γαρ ο εαυτον συνιστανων εκεινος εστιν δοκιμος αλλα ον ο κυριος συνιστησιν

 * The one who does not commend himself, this [one] is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Οφελον ανειχεσθτ μου μικρον τι αφροσυνης αλλα και ανεχεσθε μου 

* I wish you were bearing with me a little in some foolishness. Bear with me.

Ζηλω γαρ υμας θεου ζηλω ηρμοσαμην γαρ υμας ενι ανδρι παρθενον αγνην παραστησαι τω χριστω

 * I am jealous as to you [with the] God’s jealousy.  I have married you to one husband, to present a pure young woman to Christ.

Φοβουμαι δε μη πως ως ο οφις εξηπατησεν ευαν εν τη πανουργια αυτου φθαρη τα νοηματα υμων απο της απολτητος και της αγνοτητος της εις τον χριστον

*  I fear how the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and purity in Christ.

Ει μεν γαρ ο ερχομενος αλλον Ιησουν κηρυσσει ον ουκ εκηρυξαμεν η πνευμα ετερον λαμβανετε ο ουκ ελαβετε η ευαγγελιον ετερον ο ουκ εδεξασθε καλως ανεχεσθε

 *  If one coming proclaims another Jesus whom we did not proclaim, or if you receive a different spirit which you did not take, or glad tidings which you did not accept, you are bearing well with it.

Λογιζομαι γαρ μηδεν υστερηκεναι των υπερλιαν αποστολων 

* I reckon to have been behind the eminent of those sent out in nothing.

Ει δε και ιδιωτης τω λογω αλλ ου τη γωνσει αλλ εν παντι φενερωσαντες εν πασιν εις υμας

 * If [I am] unpolished in word, but not so in knowledge; but, in every way having made manifest in all things to you.

Η αμαρτιαν εποιησα εμαυτον ταπεινων ινα υμεις θψωθητε οτι δωρεαν το του θεου ευαγγελιον ευηγγελισαμην υμιν

* Did I commit a sin, humbling myself, in order that you might be exalted, because I freely proclaimed God’s good news to you?

αλλας εκκλησιας εσυλησα λαβων οψωνιον προς την υμων διακονιαν

* I robbed gatherings having received support toward your service.

Και παρων προς υμας και υετερηθεις ου κατεναρκησα ουθενος το γαρ υστερημα μου προεσνεπληρωσαν οι αδελφοι ελθοντες απο μακεδονιας και εν παντι αβαρη εμαυτον υμιν ετηρησα και τηρησω

 * Being present with you and having been in need, I burdened no one, for the brothers having come from Macedonia completely filled up my need. And in everything I kept and will keep myself not a burden to you.

Εστιν αληθεια χριστου εν εμοι οτι η καυχησις αυτη ου φραγησεται εις μεμ εν τοις κλιμασιν της αχαιας

 * The truth of Christ is in me, in order that this boasting will not be sealed up in me in the regions of Achaia.

 Δια τι οτι ουκ αγαπω υμας ο θεος οιδεν

* Why? Because I do not love you? God knows.

 Ο δε ποιω και ποιησω ινα εκκοψω την αφορμην των θελοντων αφορμην ινα εν ω καυχωνται ευρεθωσιν καθως και ημεις

* What I do, I will do, in order that I might cut off the occasion of those wishing an occasion tin order that what they boast, they might be found as us.

 Οι γαρ τοιουτοι ψεθδαποστολοι εργαται δολιοι μετασχηματιζομενοι εις αποστολους χριστου

*  Such ones are false ones sent out, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as ones sent out of Christ.

 Και ου θαυμα αυτος γαρ ο σανατας μετασχηματιζεται εις αγγελον φωτος

 * And no wonder, Satan masquerades himself as an angel of light.

Ου μεγα ουν ει και οι διαμονοι αυτου μετασχηματιζονται ως διακονοι δικαιοσυνης ων το τελος εσται κατα τα εργα αυτων

* Not surprising if his servants, masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their works.

Ου μεγα ουν ει και οι διαμονοι αυτου μετασχηματιζονται ως διακονοι δικαιοσυνης ων το τελος εσται κατα τα εργα αυτων

* Again I say, No one should think me to be a fool. But even otherwise, receive me as a fool, so that I too might boast a little.

Ο λαλω ου κατα κυρον λαλω αλλ ως εν αφροσυνη εν ταυτη τη υποστασει της καυχησεως

 * What I speak I do not speak according to the Lord but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 

Επει πολλοι καυχωνται κατα σαρκα καγω καυχησομαι

 * Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast.

ηδεως γαρ αναχεσυε των αφρονων φρονιμοι οντες

* You bear with fools gladly, being intelligent yourselves.

Ανεχεσθτ γαρ ει τις υμας καταδουλοι ει τις κατεσθιει ει τις λαμβανει ει τις επαιρεται ει τις εις προσωπον υμας δερει

* You bear it if someone brings you into slavery, or someone devours, or if someone takes advantage, or if someone exalts himself, or if someone beats you on the face.

Κατα ατιμιαν λεγω ως οτι ημεις ησθενηκαμεν εν ω δ αν τις τολμα εν αφροσυνη λεγω τολμω καγω

 * According to dishonor I speak, we were weak. Whatever anyone might be daring in foolishness, I speak, I also [am] daring.

Εβραιοι εσιν καγω Ισραηλιται εισιν καγω σπερμα Αβρααμ εισιν καγω

* Are they Hebrews? Me too. Israelites? Me too. Seed of Abraham? Me too.

This is a strange insertion.  It would seem to be an attempt to repeat the statement made in PhIlippians: “Circumcision on the eighth day, from the people of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; according to law, a Pharisee.”  Yet where the statement in Philippians was a recitation of specifics:  (date of circumcision--to prove it occurred when it was supposed to happen--from the specific people, the specific tribe within the people, then more specific:  of the most Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee. The structure of this is known in Talmud as qal v’chomer—from the general to the specific), This is simply saying the same thing three different ways:  Hebrew, Israelite, seed of Abraham, and all of the names used are pre-Moses.  This has the sound of someone who does not know any more specifics than these.  He does not call himself a Judean.

δικονοι Χριστου εισιν παραφρονων λαλω υπερ εγω εν κοποις περισσοτερως εν φυλακαις  περισσοντερως εν πληγαις  υπερβαλλοντως εν θανατοις πολλακις

* Are they servants of Christ? As being beside myself, I speak, I above.  More abundant labot, more abundant imprisonments, beatings beyond measure, often in deaths.

   You don’t normally hear someone boast about dying often.

Υπο Ιουδαιων πεντακις τεσσερακοντα παραμιαν ελαβον

·      Fives times I received forty lashes less one at the hands of the Judeans.

He asks if those who had been boasting were “Hebrews, Israelites, seed of Abraham” but not if they were Judeans.  But those who beat him were Judeans.  Someone (some redactor) is trying to create a distinction between their (good) “Hebrew” who does not identify himself as “Judean” and “Judeans” who beat him.  

τρις εραβδισθην απαξ ελιθασθην τρις εναυαγησα νυχθημερον εν τω βυθω πεποιηκα

 * Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; night and day I was adrift at sea;

οδοιποριαις πολλακις κινδυνοις ποταμων κινδυνοις ληστων λινδυνοις εκ γενους κινδυνοις εξ εθνων κινδυνοις εν πολει κινδυνοις εν ερημια κινδυνοις εν θαλασση κινδυνοις εν ψευδαδιλφοις

* Many journeyings, in perils from rivers, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own race, in perils from nations, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils at sea, in perils from false brothers;

This has the sound of trying to conform with Acts.

κοπω και μοχθω εν αργυπνιαις πολλακις εν λιμω και κιψει εν νηστειαις πολλακις εν ψυχει και γυμοτητι

* In labor and toil, in many watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings, in cold and nakesness.

χωρις των παρεκτος η επισταισις μοι η καθ ημεραν η μεριμνα πασων των εκκλησιων

* Besides external things, there is the daily pressure on me, the care concerning the gatherings.

τις ασθενει και ουκ ασθενω τις σκανδαλιζεται και ουκ εγω πυρουμαι

* Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and do I not burn inwardly?

Ει καυχασθαι δει τα της ασθενειας μου καυχησομαι

* If it is necessary to boast, I will boast of my weakness.

Ο θεος και πατηρ του κυριου Ιησου οιδεν ωε ευλογητος εις τους αιωνας οτι ου ψευδομαι

·      The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows that I do not lie.

But not “my god” as in Philemon and Philippians. 

Εν καμασκω ο εθναρχης αρετα του βασιλεως εφρουρει την πολιν δαμασκηνων πιασαι με

* In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus to seize me,

και δια θυριδος εν σαργανη εχαλασθην δια του τειχους και εξεφυγον τας χειρας αυτου

* I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

This has the sound of trying to conform with Acts.

Καυχασθαι δει ου συμφερον μεν ελευσομαι δε εις οπτασιαε και αποκαλυψεις κυριου

* Boasting is not profitable to me.  I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Οιδα ανθρωπον εν χριστω προ ετων δεκατεσσαρων ειτε εν σωματι ουκ οιδα ειτε εκτος του σωματος ουκ οιδα ο θεος οιδεν αρπαγεντα τον τοιουτον εως τριτου ουρανου

* I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago, whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows, having been caught such a one up to the third heaven.

Και οιδα τον τοιουτον ανθρωπον ειτε εν σωματι ειτε χωρις του σωματος ουκ οιδα ο θεος οιδεν

 *  I know such a man, whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows

οτι ηπαγη εις τον παραδεισον και ηκουσεν αρητα ρηματα α ουκ εηον ανθρωπω λαλησαι

 * Was caught up to paradise and he heard inexpressible things which man is not permitted to speak.

Υπερ του τοιουτου καυχησομαι υπερ δε εμαυτου ου καυχησομαι ει μυ εν ταις ασθενειαις 

* Concerning such a one I will boast, concerning myself, I will not boast, if not in the weaknesses.

Εαν γαρ θελησω καυχησασθαι ουκ εσομαι αφρων αληθειαν γαρ ερω φειδομαι δε μη τις εις εμε λογισηται υπερ ο βλεπει με ακουει εξ εμου

*If I should desire to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will say the truth. I refrain however, so that no one reckon more of me than  what he sees in me or hears of me.

Και τη υπερωολη των αποκαλυψεων διο ινα μη υπεραιρωμαι εδοθη μο σκολοψ τη σαρκι αγγελος σατανα ινα με καολφιζη ινα μη υπεραιρωμαι

 * And by the surpassingness of the revelations conceited in order that I might be exalted, a thorn for the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan in order that he might torment me, in order that I might not be conceited.

Υπερ τουτου τρις τον κυριον παρεκαλεσα ινα αποστη απ εμου

* Three times I begged the Lord, that it might depart me.

Και ειρηκεν μοι αρκει σοι η χαρις μου η γαρ δυναμις εν ασθενεια τελειται Ηδιστα ουν μαλλον καυχησομαι εν ταις ασθενειαις ινα επισκηνωση επ εμε η δυναμις του χριστου

* But he said to me, “My favor suffices you, power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast most gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ might dwell upon me.

Διο ευδοκω εν ασθενειαις εν υβρεσιν εν αναγκαις εν διωγμοις και στενοχωριαις υπερ χριστου οταν γαρ ασθενω τοτε δυνατος ειμι

*  the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Γεγονα αφρων υμεις με ηναγκαστε εγω γαρ ωφειλον υφ υμων σνιστασθαι ουδεν γαρ υστερησα τω υπερλιαν αποστολων ει και ουδεν ειμι

* I have become a fool. You compelled me to it. I ought to have been commended by you. For I was behind none of those most eminent of those sent out, if I am nothing.

          It is not clear to whom he speaks.  This not generally how one would write to people one wants to impress or teach.  This, taken with the “visions” has the sound that the redactor wants to cast “Paul” as a new prophet.

Και μεν σημεια του αποστολου κατειργασθη εν υμιν εν παση υπομονη σημειοις και τερασιν και δυναμεσιν

* The signs of a true one sent out were produced among you in all perseverence, signs and wonders and mighty works.

Τι γαρ εστιν ο ησσωθητε υπερ τας λοιπας εκκλησιας ει μυ οτι αυτος εω ου κατεναρκησα υμων χαρισασθε μοι την αδικιαν ταυτην

 * What is it that were you inferior beyond the rest of [the] gatherings, if not that I myself burdened you? Forgive me this injustice.

Ιδου τριτον τουτο ετοιμως εχω ελθειν προς υμας και ου καταναρκησω ου γαρ ζητω τα υμων αλλα υμας ου γαρ οφειλει τα τεκνα τοις γονευσιν θησαυριζειν αλλα οι γονεις τοις τεκνοις

* Behold this third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden, for I do not seek what is yours but you. For children ought not to treasure up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Εγω δε ηδιστα δαπανησω και εκδαπανηθησομαι υπερ των ψυχων υμων ει περισσοτερως υμας αγαπων ησσον αγαπωμαι

 * I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly , am I loved less?

Εστω δε εγω ου κατεωαρησα υμας αλλα υπαρχων πανουργος δολω υμας ελαβον

* Be it so I did not burden you, being crafty, I caught you.

Μη τινα ων απεστακα προς υμας δι αυτου επολεονεκτησα υμας

* Did I overreach you by any of whom I have sent to you?

Παρεκαλεσα Τιτον και συναπεστειλα τον αδελφον μητι επλεονεκτησιν υμας τιτος ου τω αυτω πνευματι περιεπατησαμεν ου τοις αυτοις εχνεσιν

* I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother [with] him. Did Titus exploit you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Not in the same steps?

Παλαι δοκειτε οτι απολογουμεθα κατεναντι θεου εν χριστω λαλουμεν τα δε παντα αγαπητοι υπερ της υμων οικοδομης

* Do you think that we have been making a defense to you all along? Before God, in Christ we speak, and all things for your upbuilding, beloved.

Φοβουμαι γαρ μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας καγω ευρεθω υμιν οιον ου θελετε μη πως ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι καταλαλιαι ψιθυρισμοι φυσιωσεις ακαταστασιαι

* I fear how having come, I do not wish such as, I should find you, and I be found by you, you do not wish such as, how quarrels, jealousies, angers, hostilities, slanders, gossips, conceits, and disorders.

Μη παλιν ελθοντος μου ταπεινωση με ο θεος μου προς υμας και πενθησω πολλους των προημαρτυκοτων και μη ματενοησαντων ειπ τη ακαθαρσια και προνεια και ασλεγεια η επαρξαν

* Again having come o me, God should humble me as to you, and I should mourn over many of those who having sinned before and having not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they practiced.

Τριτον τουτο ερχομαι προς υμας επι στοματος δυο μαρτυρων και τριων σταθησεται παν ρημα

* This [is the] third time I am coming to you. Every matter will be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses.

Προειρηκα προλεγω ως παρρν το δευτερον και απων νυν τοις προημαρτηκισιν και τοις λοιποις πασιν οτι εαν ελθω εις το παλιν ου φεισομαι

* I have declared before and I say beforehand, as being present the second time, and being absent now, to those having sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare

επει δοκιμην ζητειτε του εν εμοι λαλουντος χριστου ος εις μυας ουκ ασθενει αλλα δυνατει εν υμιν

* Since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me who is not weak toward you, but powerful in you.

Και γαρ εσταυρωθη εξ ασθενειας αλλα  ζη εκ δθναμεως θεου και γαρ ημεις ασθενουμεν εν αυτω αλλα ζησομεν συν αυτω εκ δυναμεως θεου εις υμας

* For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by God’s power.  We are weak in him, but we will live with him from God’s power toward you.

εαυτους πειραζετε ει εστε εν τη πιστει εαυτους δοκιμαζετε η ουκ επιγινωσκετε εαυτους οτι Ιησους Χριστος εν υμιν ει μητι αδοκιμοι εστε 

* Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not recognize yourselves, that Jesus Christ in you? If you are not rejected.

This is consistent with askesis as practiced in the church of the later 2^nd century CE.

ελπιζω δε οτι φνωσεσθτ οτι ημεις ου εσμεν αδοκιμοι

 * I hope you will know that we are not rejected.

Ευζομεθα δε προς τον θεον μη ποησαι υμας κακον μηδεν ουχ ινα ημεις δοκιμοι φανωμεν αλλ ινα υμεις το καλον ποιητε ημεις δε ως αδοκιμοι ωμεν 

*  Praying to God that you may do nothing evil, not that we might appear approved, but that you might do what [is] right, though we might be rejected.

Ου γαρ δυναμευα τι κατα της αληθειας αλλα υπερ της αληθειας

 * We have no power in anything against the truth but for the truth.

 

Χαιρομεν γαρ οταν ημειςα ασθενωμεν υμεις δε δυνατοι ητε τουτο και ευχομεθα την υμων καταρρισιν 

*  We rejoice when we might be weak, you are strong. But we pray for your perfection.

Δια τουτο ταυτα απων γραφω ινα παρων μη απορομως χρησωμαι κατα την εξουσιαν ην ο κυριος εδωκεν μοι εις οικοδομην και ουκ εις καθαιρεσιν

 * For these things, being absent, I write, that being present I might not treat you with severity according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

Λοιπον αδελφοι χαιρετε καταρτιζεσθε παρακαλεισθε το αυτο φρονειτε ειρηνευετε και ο θεος της αγαπης και ειρηνης εσται μεθ υμων

* For the rest, brothers, rejoice. Be perfected, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ασπασασθε αλληλους εν αγιω φιληματι

* Greet one another with a holy kiss

Ασταζονται υμας οι αγιοι παντες

* The holy ones greet you.