2 Corinthians Chapters 4-6: confirmation the temple had been destroyed and rededicated, more inaccurate citations

Δια τουτο εχοντες την διακονιαν ταυτην καθως ελεηθημεν ουκ εγκακουμεν 

* because of this, having this ministry by as receiving mercy, we do not faint.

Αλλα παειπαμεθα τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης μη περιπατουντες εν πανουργια μηδε δολουντες τον λογον του θεου αλλα τη φανερωσει της αλητειας συνιστανον εαυτους προς πααν συνειδησιν ανθρωπων ενωπιον του θεου

* But we renounced hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor falsifying God’s word, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves all men’s conscience before God.

Ει δε και εστιν κεκαλυμμενον το ευαγγελιον ημων εν τοις απολλυμενοις εστινγ κεκαλυμμενον

* If our good news is concealed, it is concealed [the ones who are] perishing.

It seems a bit contradictory, if the good news brings eternal life, to conceal it from those who are perishing and might like eternal life.

Εν οις ο θεος του αιωνος τουτου ετυφλωσεν τα νοηματα των απιστων εις το μη αυγασαι τον φωτισμον του ευαγγελιου της δοξης του χριστου ος εστιν εικων του θεου

* In those to whom the god of this world blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so as not bean forth the radiancy of good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

This seems like a negative god, who is blinding people who don’t believe.  In theory, the idea of the “apostles” was to go out and persuade people into belief, not to tell them about a god hides.  A god who “blinds” people is more consistent with Greco-Roman theology than it is with Judean.  This is the beginning of the theology of the select.

Ου γαρ εαυτους κηρυσσομεν αλλα χριστον Ιησουν εαυτους δε δουλους υμων δια Ιησουν

* We do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Οτι ο θεος ο ειπων εκ σκοτους φως λαμψει ος ελαμψεν εν ταις καρδιαις ημων  προς φωτισμον της γνωσεως της δοξης του θεου εν προσωπω Χριστου

* God having spoken, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts for the radiancy of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

An inaccurate citation of Gen1:3:  “And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.”  This is not something a Judean, a Pharisee, or anyone who lived with Judean text would screw up.

Εχομεν δε τον θησαυρον τουτον εν οστρακινοις σεκυεσιν ινα η υπερβολη της δυναμεως η του θεου και μη εξ ημων

* We have this treasure in earthen vessels, in order that the surpassingness power might be God’s and not from us.

Εν παντι θλιβομενοι αλλ ου στενοχωρουμενοι απορουμενοι αλλ ουκ εξαπορουμενοι

* In every way oppressed but not crushed; perplexed, but despairing; 

διωκομενοι αλλ ουκ εγκαταλειπομενοι καταβαλλομενοι αλλ ουκ απολλυμενοι

* Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

παντοτε την νεκρωσιν του Ιησου εν τω σωματι περιφεροντες ινα και η ζωη του Ιησου εν τω σωματι ημων φανερωθη

*  Always bearing the corpsing of Jesus in the body, so that the life of Jesus might also appear in our body.

Αιε γαρ ημεις οι ζωντες εις θανατον παραδιδομεθα δια Ιησουν ινα και η ζωη του Ιησου φαρνρωθη εν τη θνητη σαρκι ημων

 * For we who live are always handed over to death through Jesus, in order that the life of Jesus also may be appear in our mortal flesh.

Ωστε ο θανατος εν ημιν ενεργειται η δε ζωη εν υμιν

* So death works in us, but life in you.

εχοντες δε το αυτο πνευμα της πιστεως κατα το γεγραμμενον επιστευσα διο ελελησα και ημεις πιστευομεν διο και λαλουμεν

* Having the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak.

This quote is not in the Judean canon.

ειδοτες οτι ο εγειρας τον κυριον Ιησουν και ημας συν Ιησου εγερει και παραστησει συν ημιν

* Knowing that the one having raised the Lord Jesus will raise us with Jesus and present us to you.

It is not clear who the “you” is, since this is a letter to the Corinthians, and it is not likely that anyone will be presented to them after death.  This is unquestionably later theology redacted into a letter that Paul may or may not have been the original author of.

Τα γαρ παντα δι υμας ινα η χαρις πλεονασασα δια των πλειονων την ευχαριστιαν περισσευση εις την δοξαν του θεου

* All things are for your sake in order that, having abounded through more and more, thanks might cause to exceed to the glory of God.

It is unlikely that “Paul” was saying that all of this was for the sake of the Corinthians.  It is more likely that the redactor forgot he was inserting this into a letter.

Διο ουκ εγκακουμεν αλλ ει και ο εξω ημων αωθρωπος διαφθειρεται αλλ ο εσω υμων ανακαινουται ημερα και ημερα

* Therefore we do not faint, but if our outward man is being brought to decay, the inward of us is being renewed every day.

Το γαρ παραυτικα ελαφρον της θλιψεως καθ υπερβολην εις υπερβολην εις υπερβολην αιωνιον βαρος δοξην κατεργαζεται υμιν

* The lightness momentary of affliction produces for us an eternal weight of glory far surpassing to excessiveness.

μη σκοπουωτων ημων τα βλεπομενα αλλα τα μη βλεπομενα τα γαρ βλεπομενα προσκαιρα τα δε μη βλεπομενα αιωνια

* We are not considering things seen but to the things not seen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things not seen are eternal.

Οιδαμεν γαρ οιτ εαν η πειγειος ημων οικια του σκηνους καταλυθη οικοδομην εκ θεου εχομεν οικιαν αχειροποιητον αιωνιον εν τοις ουρανοις

* We know our earthly house of the tabernacle is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

This tells us that Paul’s ministry was not just after the destruction of the Temple, but after it had been rededicated by Hadrian by Jupiter.  That is not to say that this was written by Paul, but this was written by someone who knew that the Temple had been destroyed and was rededicated (hence not usable for Judean Temple praxis).

Και γαρ εν τουτω στεναζομεν το οικητηριον ημων το εξ ουρανου επενδυσασθαι επιποθουντες

 * In this we groan, our dwelling from heaven to be clothed with longing,

ει γε και εκδυσαμενοι ου γμνοι ευρεθησομεθα

* If we will be found, having been clothed, not naked.

Και γαρ οι οντες εν τω σκηνει στεναζομεν βαρουμενοι εφ ω ου θελομεν εκδυσασθαι αλλ επενδυσασθαι ινα καταποθη το θνητον υπο της ζωης

* The ones being in the tabernacle, we groan being burdened—not because we wish to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that the mortal life might be swallowed up.

No idea where the notion of being unclothed in the temple comes from.  Possibly Apion, who claimed the Judeans had a golden ass as a statute of God in the Holy of Holies

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Ο δε κατεργασαμενος ημας εις αυτο τουτο θεος ο δους ημιν τον αρρανα του πνευματος

* The one having prepared us for this very thing is God, having given to us the pledge of the spirit.

θαρρουντες ουν παντοτε και ειδοτες ενδημουντες εν τω σωματι εκδημουμεν απο του κυριου

*  Always being confident and knowing that being at home in the body we are from home, away from the lord. 

δια πιστεως γαρ περιπατουμεν ου δια ειδους

* We walk through faith, not through sight.

Θαρρουμεν δε και ευδοκουμεν μαλλον εκδημησαι εκ του σωματος και ενδημησαι προς τον κυριον

* We are confident, we are pleased,  rather to be out of the body and be at home before the lord.

Διο και φιλοτιμουμεθα ειτε ενδημουντες ειτε εκδημουντες ευαρεστοι αυτω ειναι

* Therefore we are ambitious whether being at home or from home to be well-pleasing to him.

τους γαρ παντας ημας φαενρωθηναι δει εμπροσθεν του βηματος του χριστου ινα κομισηται εκαστος τα δια του σωματος προς α επραξεν ειτε αγαθον ειτε φαυλον

* We all must be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ, in order that each might receive the things in the body according to what he did whether good or evil.

ειδοτες ουν τον φοβον του κυριου ανθρωπους πειθομεν θεω δε πεφανερωμεθα ελπιζω δε και εν ταις συνειδησεσιν υμων πεφανερωσθαι

* Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men to God. We have been revealed.  I hope [what] is in your consciences to have been revealed.

Ου παλιν εαυτους συνιστανομεν υμιν αλλα αφορμην διδοντες υμιν καυχηματος υπερ ημων ινα εχητε προς τους εν προσωπω καυχωμενους και μη εν καρδια

*  We do not commend ourselves to you again but are giving you occasion to boast on our behalf, so that you might have boasting to those in appearance and not in the heart.

Ειτε γαρ εξεστημεν θεω ειτε σωφρονουμεν υμιν

*  If we are beside ourselves, [it is] to God; if we are sober-minded, [it is] to you.

Η γαρ αγαπη του χριστου συνεχει ημας κριναντας τουτο οτι εις υπερ παντων απεθανεν αρα οι παντεσ απεθανον

* The love of Christ constrains us, having judged this: that one died for all, then all died;

Interesting logic.

και υπερ παντων ινα οι ζωντες μηκετι εαυτοις ζωσιν αλλα τω υπερ αυτων αποθανοντι και εγερθεντι

 * He died for all, in order that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one having died for their sake and having been raised.

Ωστε ημεις απο του νυν ουδενα οιδαμεν κατα σαρκα ει και εγνωκαμεν κατα σαρκα χριστον αλλα νυν ουκετι γινωσκομεν

* From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even if we regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him no longer.

Ωστε ει τις εν χριστω καιην κτισες τα αρχαια παρηλθεν ιδου γεγονεν καινα

* If, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation The old things passed away; behold, new have come.

Τα δε παντα εκ του θεου του καταλλαξαντος εαυτω δια χριστου και δοντος ημιν την διακονιαν της καταλλαγης

* All [are] from God, having reconciled us to himself through Christ and having given us the ministry of reconciliation;

ως οτι θεος ην εν χριστω κοσμον καταλλασσων εαυτω μη λογιζομενος αυτοις τα παραπρωματα αυτων και θεμενος εν ημιν τον λογον της καταλλαγης

 * So, God was reconciling the world in Christ to himself, not reckoning their trespasses to them, and having put in us the word of reconciliation

υπερ Χριστου ουν πρεσβεθομεν ως του θεου παρακαλουντος δι ημων δεομεθα υπερ Χριστου καταλλαφητε τω θεω

* Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God urging through us. We implore for Christ, be reconciled to God.

Τον μη γνοντα αμαρτιαν υπερ ημων αμαρτιαν εποιησεν ινα ημεις γενωμεθα δικαιοσυνη θεου εν αυτω

* Not having known sin, he made sin for us, in order that we might become righteousness of God in him.

The first time we get the “not having known sin” part of the theology.

Συνεργουντες δε και παρακαλουμεν μη εις κενον την χαριν του θεου δεξασθαι υμας

* Working together, we urge not in vain the favor of God to receive you.

Λεγει γαρ καιρω δεκτω επηκουσα σου και εν ημερα σωτηριας εβοηθησα σοι ιδου νυν καιρος ευπροσδεκτος ιδου νυν ημερα σωτηριας

* He says,

“In an accepted time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I helped you.”

Behold, now [is the] well-accepted time; behold, now [is the] day of salvation."

An inaccurate citation from Isa 49:8:  “This is what the Lord says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.”  

Μηδεμιαν εν μηδενι διδοντες προσκοπην ινα μη μωμηθη η διακονια

* No one giving an obstacle to anyone, in order that the ministry [is] not blemished 

αλλ εν παντι συνισταντες εαυτους ως θεου διακονοι εν υπομονη πολλη εν θλιψεσιν εν αηαγκαις εν στενοχωριαις 

* Commending themselves in everything as God’s servants: by much endurance, in tribulations, hardships, distresses,

εν πληγαις εν φθλακαις εν ακαταστασιαις εν κοποις εν αγρυπνιαις εν νηστειαις

 * In beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in watchings, in fastings;

εν αγνοτητι εν γνωσει εν μακροθυμια εν χρηστοτητι εν πνευματι αγιω εν αγαπη ανυποκριτω

 * In purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the holy spirit, in genuine love

εν λογω αληθειας εν δυναμει θεου δια των οπλων της δικαιοσυνης των δεκιων καιαριστερων

* In truthful word, in God’s power; through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left;

δια δοξης και ατιμιας δια δυσφημιας και ευφημιας ως πλανοι και αληθεις

 * Through honor and dishonor, through bad word and praise, as deceivers, true;

ως αγωοουμενοι και επιγινωσκομενοι ως αποθνησκοντες και ιδου ζωμεν ως παιδευομενοι και μη θανατουμενοι

 * As being unknown, and well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet put to death;

ως λυπουμενοι αει δε χαιοντες ως πρωχοι πολλους δε πλουτιζοντες ως μηδεν εχοντες και πατνα κατεχοντες

 * As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

Το στομα ημων ανεωγεν προς υμας Κοριντιοι η καρδια ημων πεολατυνται

* Our mouth has been opened to you Corinthians; our heart has been expanded.

Ου στενοχωρεισθε εν ημιν στενοχωρεισθε δε εν τοις σπλαγχνοις υμων

 * You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your affections.

Την δε αυτην αντιμισθιαν ως τεκνοις λεγω πλατυνθητε και υμεις

* The same recompense, I speak as to children, you to be expanded.

Μη γεινεσθε ετεροζυγουντες απιστοις τςι γαρ μετοχη δικαιοσυνη και ανομια η τις κοινωνια φωτι προς σκοτος

* Do not be unequally yoked with unbelieving. For what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness? Or what communion light before darkness?

τις δε συμρωνησις χριστου προς βελιαρ η τις μερις πιστω μετα απιστου

 * What accord Christ with Belial? Or what part a believer with an unbeliever?

τις δε συνκαταθεσις ναω θεου μετα ειδωλων ημεις γαρ ναος θεου εσμεν ζωντος καθως ειπεν ο θεος οτι ενοικησω εν αυτοις και εμπεριπατησω και εσομαι αυτων θεος και αυτοι εσονται μου λαος

 * What agreement God’s temple with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will dwell among them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.”

This is a conflation of two sources:  Ex 29:45 “Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.” And Lev 26:12: “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”

It is not possible that a “Pharisee” would construct that kind of conflation. It is very possible that a Greco-Roman would make such a conflation and think it a good thing.

δος εξελθατε εκ μεσου αυτων και αφορισθητε λεγει κυριος και ακαθαρτου μη απτεσθε καγω εισδεξομαι υμας

* Therefore come out from their midst,
and be separated from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,

An inaccurate citation of Isa 52:11:  “Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the Lord's house.”

και εσομαι υμιν εις πατερα και υμεις σεσεθε μοι εις υιοις και θυγατερας λεγει κυριος παντοκρατωτ

* And I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”

An inaccurate conflation of two sources:  2 Sam 7:14:  “I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.”  And Isa 43:6:  “I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”