1
Τρίτον τοῦτο ἔρχομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς· ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ τριῶν σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα.
This is the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter shall be established."
Announcement / juridical frameasyndetonThe letter's final movement opens by announcing the third visit and at once setting it under a judicial standard: a near-verbatim citation of Deut 19:15. Paul casts the coming encounter as a formal hearing in which charges must be substantiated by witnesses.
Τρίτον(the) third (time)Accusativeadverbial accusative (of measure/time)τρίτος: 'third'; the adverbial accusative τρίτον τοῦτο = 'this third time,' counting the impending visit.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (w/ τρίτον)
ἔρχομαιI am comingPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ futuristic present (imminent arrival)ἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; the present of a settled, near-future intention — the visit is as good as underway.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
ἐπὶon/bypreposition + genitive (basis/condition)ἐπί + gen.: here 'on the basis of, at (the mouth of)' — the legal formula's standing idiom.
στόματος(the) mouthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (basis of testimony)στόμα: 'mouth'; 'at the mouth of witnesses' is the LXX idiom (Deut 19:15) for sworn oral testimony.
δύοtwoGenitiveattributive numeral (indeclinable)δύο: 'two'; the minimum corroborating testimony required by the Mosaic rule.
μαρτύρωνof witnessesGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitiveμάρτυς: 'witness'; the legal warrant by which a charge becomes actionable.
καὶor/andcoordinating conjunction
τριῶνthreeGenitiveattributive numeralτρεῖς: 'three'; 'two or three' = the sufficient plurality the law demands.
σταθήσεταιshall be establishedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (LXX citation)→ predictive/legal future (gnomic legal maxim)ἵστημι (pass.): 'be set/established, confirmed'; of a legal matter being settled on adequate testimony.
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjective
ῥῆμαword/matterNominativesubject of σταθήσεταιῥῆμα: 'word, thing, matter'; the Semitic dābār — any 'case' or accusation brought to judgment.
2
προείρηκα καὶ προλέγω, ὡς παρὼν τὸ δεύτερον καὶ ἀπὼν νῦν, τοῖς προημαρτηκόσιν καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς πᾶσιν, ὅτι ἐὰν ἔλθω εἰς τὸ πάλιν οὐ φείσομαι,
I have said before, and I say beforehand now—as when present the second time, and absent now—to those who sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare,
ForewarningasyndetonPaul restates a warning already given face-to-face on the painful second visit and now repeats it in writing. The doubled προ- verbs stress that the threat is no surprise: the unrepentant have had fair notice that this time he will not spare.
προείρηκαI have said beforePerf Act Indic 1 Sg · προλέγωmain verb→ extensive perfect (a prior warning still in force)προλέγω: 'say beforehand, forewarn'; the perfect points back to a warning spoken on the second visit, still standing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προλέγωI say beforehandPres Act Indic 1 Sg · προλέγωmain verb (coordinate)→ instantaneous present (the act of warning now)προλέγω: here in the present — the warning is renewed in the very writing of these words.
ὡςascomparative particle (introducing circ. ptcs.)ὡς: 'as'; frames the participles — Paul warns now as if present, just as he warned when present.
παρὼνbeing presentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάρειμιcircumstantial participle (temporal)→ present (concurrent)πάρειμι: 'be present, be at hand' (παρά + εἰμί); recalls the second, painful visit (cf. 2:1).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes the adverbial phrase)
δεύτερον(the) second (time)Accusativeadverbial accusative (of time)δεύτερος: 'second'; τὸ δεύτερον = 'the second time,' the visit alluded to as painful.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀπὼνbeing absentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἄπειμιcircumstantial participle (temporal, antithetical)→ present (concurrent)ἄπειμι: 'be absent, away' (ἀπό + εἰμί); the antithesis of παρών — the present writing from a distance.
νῦνnowadverb (time)
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
προημαρτηκόσινwho sinned beforePerf Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · προαμαρτάνωsubstantival participle (indir. object)→ extensive perfect (past sin with abiding stain)προαμαρτάνω: 'sin beforehand' (προ- + ἁμαρτάνω); the perfect marks earlier sinners whose state is unresolved.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῖςto theDativearticle
λοιποῖςrestDativesubstantival adjective (indir. object)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the warning widens beyond the original offenders to the whole community.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (w/ λοιποῖς)
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces content of warning)
ἐὰνifconjunction (3rd-class condition, + subj.)ἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive ἔλθω, a future-more-probable condition — 'whenever/if I do come.'
ἔλθωI comeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent arrival)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the conditional protasis of the threatened visit.
εἰςto/againpreposition + accusative (in the idiom εἰς τὸ πάλιν)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizing πάλιν)
πάλινagainadverb (substantized: 'this time again')πάλιν: 'again'; εἰς τὸ πάλιν = 'on a return,' emphatically marking the renewed coming.
οὐnotnegative particle
φείσομαιI will spareFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · φείδομαιmain verb of apodosis→ predictive future (resolved threat)φείδομαι: 'spare, refrain from harming'; οὐ φείσομαι = he will exercise apostolic discipline without leniency.
3
ἐπεὶ δοκιμὴν ζητεῖτε τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ, ὃς εἰς ὑμᾶς οὐκ ἀσθενεῖ ἀλλὰ δυνατεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν.
since you seek a proof of the Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.
Ground of the warningἐπεὶThe causal ἐπεί grounds the threat in the Corinthians' own demand: they want proof of Christ's voice in Paul. Paul accepts the test but redefines it — the Christ who speaks in him is no weakling but mighty, so the demanded 'proof' may arrive as discipline they will not enjoy.
ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunctionἐπεί: 'since, because'; introduces the reason the warning is fitting — their own demand for proof.
δοκιμὴνproofAccusativedirect object of ζητεῖτεδοκιμή: 'proof, tested character'; the demonstrable evidence of authenticity they are demanding.
ζητεῖτεyou seekPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ζητέωmain verb→ customary/durative presentζητέω: 'seek, demand'; their ongoing insistence on visible apostolic credentials.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (w/ Χριστοῦ)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/agency)
ἐμοὶmeDativeobject of ἐν (locus of Christ's speaking)
λαλοῦντοςwho speaksPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · λαλέωattributive participle (w/ Χριστοῦ)→ present (ongoing speaking)λαλέω: 'speak, utter'; Christ himself is the one speaking through Paul's apostolic word.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobjective genitive (of δοκιμήν)Χριστός: the Christ whose speaking in Paul is the very thing they demand proof of.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀσθενεῖ/δυνατεῖ)
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/relation)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀσθενεῖis weakPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀσθενέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentἀσθενέω: 'be weak, sick'; the catchword of the chapter, played against Christ's δύναμις.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
δυνατεῖis powerfulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δυνατέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentδυνατέω: 'be powerful, be able'; a rare verb (cf. 9:8; Rom 14:4) — Christ exerts mighty power among them.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of Christ's power)
4
καὶ γὰρ ἐσταυρώθη ἐξ ἀσθενείας, ἀλλὰ ζῇ ἐκ δυνάμεως θεοῦ. καὶ γὰρ ἡμεῖς ἀσθενοῦμεν ἐν αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ ζήσομεν σὺν αὐτῷ ἐκ δυνάμεως θεοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς.
For indeed he was crucified out of weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, yet we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Christological ground / analogyκαὶ γὰρA double γάρ unfolds the paradigm of cross-and-power. Christ's own pattern — crucified in weakness, alive by God's power — is the template for Paul's apostleship: weak in solidarity with the crucified Christ, but destined to act among them with resurrection power. The 'weakness' is no defect but the cruciform mode in which divine power operates.
καὶindeedadverbial (intensive, w/ γάρ)καὶ γάρ: 'for indeed, for in fact'; introduces the confirming christological ground.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐσταυρώθηhe was crucifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · σταυρόωmain verb→ constative aorist (the once-for-all event)σταυρόω: 'crucify'; the historic event in which weakness was the mode of redemption.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source/attendant condition)
ἀσθενείαςweaknessGenitiveobject of ἐξ (attendant condition)ἀσθένεια: 'weakness, frailty'; the lowliness of the crucifixion — not impotence but voluntary frailty.
ἀλλὰyetadversative conjunction
ζῇhe livesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (adversative)→ stative/durative present (risen life)ζάω: 'live'; the present of the risen, ongoing life of Christ.
ἐκby/frompreposition + genitive (source/cause)
δυνάμεως(the) powerGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of life)δύναμις: 'power, might'; God's power is the source of resurrection life — answering ἀσθενείας.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possession
καὶindeedadverbial (intensive, w/ γάρ)καὶ γάρ: repeated, drawing the analogy from Christ to the apostle.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἀσθενοῦμενare weakPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀσθενέωmain verb→ durative present (Paul's present frailty)ἀσθενέω: 'be weak'; Paul shares the cruciform weakness of his Lord in the present age.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (union with Christ)
ἀλλὰyetadversative conjunction
ζήσομενwe shall liveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (adversative)→ predictive future (resurrection-empowered action)ζάω: 'live'; the future of empowered apostolic dealing with them — life manifest in effective discipline.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of σύν (association with Christ)
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (source)
δυνάμεως(the) powerGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of life)δύναμις: 'power'; the same divine power that raised Christ animates Paul's ministry toward them.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possession
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/advantage)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of εἰς (the sphere of the dealing)
5
Ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει, ἑαυτοὺς δοκιμάζετε· ἢ οὐκ ἐπιγινώσκετε ἑαυτοὺς ὅτι Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἐν ὑμῖν; εἰ μήτι ἀδόκιμοί ἐστε.
Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Or do you not recognize yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail the test.
Reversal / self-examinationasyndetonPaul flips the inquiry. Instead of putting him on trial for proof of Christ, they should test themselves. The emphatic, front-placed ἑαυτούς (twice) drives the reversal home: if Christ is in them at all, that is itself the proof of Paul's gospel and ministry — unless, of course, they turn out to be counterfeit.
ἙαυτοὺςyourselvesAccusativedirect object (emphatic, fronted)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; its emphatic fronting turns the demanded test back on the Corinthians.
πειράζετεexamine!Pres Act Impv 2 Pl · πειράζωimperative→ customary present imperative (ongoing self-scrutiny)πειράζω: 'test, put to the proof'; here a searching self-examination, not malicious temptation.
εἰwhetherconjunction (indirect question)
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (indir. question)→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
πίστειfaithDativedat. of sphere (the realm of faith)πίστις: 'faith'; 'in the faith' = within the believing relationship/confession that defines Christians.
ἑαυτοὺςyourselvesAccusativedirect object (emphatic, fronted)
δοκιμάζετεtest!Pres Act Impv 2 Pl · δοκιμάζωimperative (synonymous parallel)→ customary present imperativeδοκιμάζω: 'test, prove (as genuine)'; cognate with δοκιμή (v.3) and ἀδόκιμος (v.5) — the metal-assayer's word.
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; introduces the expected, self-evident alternative — surely they do recognize.
οὐκnotnegative particle (expecting 'yes')οὐκ in a question anticipates an affirmative answer: 'do you not recognize? — surely you do.'
ἐπιγινώσκετεyou recognizePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ durative presentἐπιγινώσκω: 'recognize, perceive fully' (ἐπί-intensive of γινώσκω); clear, acknowledged knowledge.
ἑαυτοὺςyourselvesAccusativedirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (of implied ἐστίν)
ΧριστὸςChristNominativeapposition (name-title)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (indwelling)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (locus of indwelling)the indwelling Christ is itself the δοκιμή they sought — its presence in them vindicates Paul's gospel.
εἰunlessconjunction (in the idiom εἰ μήτι)
μήτιindeed (not)interrogative particle (εἰ μήτι = 'unless perhaps')εἰ μήτι: 'unless indeed, unless perhaps'; a guarded exception — surely they are not counterfeit.
ἀδόκιμοίfailing the testNominativepredicate adjectiveἀδόκιμος: 'failing the test, disqualified, counterfeit' (alpha-privative of δόκιμος); the assayer's verdict on rejected metal.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
6
ἐλπίζω δὲ ὅτι γνώσεσθε ὅτι ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἀδόκιμοι.
But I hope that you will know that we are not failing the test.
Counter-hopeδὲThe δέ pivots from their self-test to Paul's standing. If they truly recognize Christ in themselves, the corollary is that they will recognize Paul's own genuineness — that he and his fellow workers are not ἀδόκιμοι. His vindication is bound up with their authenticity.
ἐλπίζωI hopePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐλπίζωmain verb→ durative presentἐλπίζω: 'hope, expect'; confident expectation, not mere wish.
δὲbutadversative/transitional conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of hope)
γνώσεσθεyou will knowFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (content clause)→ predictive futureγινώσκω: 'know, come to recognize'; he expects them to acknowledge his genuineness.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of γνώσεσθε)
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἀδόκιμοιfailing the testNominativepredicate adjectiveἀδόκιμος: 'disqualified, counterfeit'; the same verdict-word as v.5, now denied of Paul.
7
εὐχόμεθα δὲ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν μὴ ποιῆσαι ὑμᾶς κακὸν μηδέν, οὐχ ἵνα ἡμεῖς δόκιμοι φανῶμεν, ἀλλ' ἵνα ὑμεῖς τὸ καλὸν ποιῆτε, ἡμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἀδόκιμοι ὦμεν.
But we pray to God that you do no evil—not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is good, even though we may seem to be failing the test.
Pastoral prayer / clarified motiveδὲPaul disowns self-interest. His prayer is for their moral good, not his own reputation. He would gladly forgo the chance to display disciplinary power (and so 'seem' disqualified, having no occasion to act) if only they live rightly. Their holiness, not his vindication, is the goal.
εὐχόμεθαwe prayPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · εὔχομαιmain verb→ durative presentεὔχομαι: 'pray, wish'; directed πρὸς τὸν θεόν — a genuine intercession for their conduct.
δὲbuttransitional conjunction
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of prayer)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativeobject of πρός
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ infinitive)
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive (content of prayer; acc. subj. ὑμᾶς)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, commit'; the prayed-for negative — that they commit no wrong.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
κακὸνevilAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαικακός: 'bad, evil'; moral wrongdoing — the thing Paul prays they avoid.
μηδένnothing/noAccusativeemphatic negation (w/ κακόν)μηδείς: 'no one, nothing'; reinforces μή — 'no evil at all.'
οὐχnotnegative particle (negates the purpose clause)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)
δόκιμοιapprovedNominativepredicate adjectiveδόκιμος: 'approved, tested-and-genuine'; the positive counterpart to ἀδόκιμος — what Paul is NOT seeking to flaunt.
φανῶμενwe may appearAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · φαίνωverb of (rejected) purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctiveφαίνω (pass.): 'appear, be seen'; the showing-off of credentials Paul disclaims.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἵναthatconjunction (true purpose, + subj.)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, contrast w/ ἡμεῖς)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes καλόν)
καλὸν(what is) goodAccusativedirect object of ποιῆτεκαλός: 'good, noble, fine'; τὸ καλόν = the morally beautiful — the goal of Paul's prayer for them.
ποιῆτεyou may doPres Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of purpose clause→ durative present subjunctive (habitual doing)ποιέω: 'do, practice'; the present aspect points to a settled habit of right conduct.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)
δὲeven thoughconjunction (concessive nuance)δέ: here mildly concessive — 'while we, for our part, may seem...'
ὡςas/seemingcomparative particle ('as if')ὡς: 'as'; here 'as though' — Paul would gladly seem to lack proof if it means they need no discipline.
ἀδόκιμοιfailing the testNominativepredicate adjectiveἀδόκιμος: 'disqualified'; here only in appearance — having no occasion to display power.
ὦμενwe may bePres Act Subj 1 Pl · εἰμίverb of subordinate clause (subjunctive)→ stative present subjunctive
8
οὐ γὰρ δυνάμεθά τι κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας, ἀλλ' ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀληθείας.
For we are not able to do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
Ground / governing principleγὰρThe explanatory γάρ grounds Paul's selfless prayer in a principle: apostolic power is constitutionally on the side of the truth. He cannot wield it against the truth — so if the Corinthians are walking truly, there is nothing for his authority to act against, and he is content.
οὐnotnegative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
δυνάμεθάwe are ablePres Mid Indic 1 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb→ stative present (capacity)δύναμαι: 'be able, have power'; the apostolic power has an inherent moral orientation — it cannot be turned against truth.
τιanythingAccusativedirect object (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'anyone, anything'; the indefinite — 'nothing whatever' against the truth.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)κατά + gen.: 'against'; the hostile direction Paul's power cannot take.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of κατάἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel reality to which apostolic authority is wholly subordinate.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (advantage/support)ὑπέρ + gen.: 'for, on behalf of'; the only direction the power may serve — the truth's advance.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
9
χαίρομεν γὰρ ὅταν ἡμεῖς ἀσθενῶμεν, ὑμεῖς δὲ δυνατοὶ ἦτε· τοῦτο καὶ εὐχόμεθα, τὴν ὑμῶν κατάρτισιν.
For we rejoice whenever we are weak and you are strong; this also we pray for—your restoration.
Ground / paradoxical joyγὰρA second γάρ confirms the apostle's joy in self-effacement: he is glad to be 'weak' (to have no need to discipline) so long as they are 'strong' (spiritually sound). His express prayer is named — their κατάρτισις, the mending and full equipping of the church.
χαίρομενwe rejoicePres Act Indic 1 Pl · χαίρωmain verb→ durative presentχαίρω: 'rejoice, be glad'; the paradoxical apostolic joy in being unneeded as a disciplinarian.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτανwheneverconjunction (indefinite temporal, + subj.)ὅταν: 'whenever'; with the subjunctive, a general/recurring condition.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)
ἀσθενῶμενare weakPres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀσθενέωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ durative present subjunctiveἀσθενέω: 'be weak'; the chapter's keyword — here Paul's gladly-borne 'weakness' of having no need to wield power.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, contrast)
δὲandconnective/contrastive conjunction
δυνατοὶstrongNominativepredicate adjectiveδυνατός: 'strong, able'; their spiritual strength — the very thing that renders Paul's 'weakness' a joy.
ἦτεyou arePres Act Subj 2 Pl · εἰμίverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ stative present subjunctive
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (proleptic, fronted)οὗτος: 'this'; anticipates and points forward to τὴν κατάρτισιν.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
εὐχόμεθαwe pray forPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · εὔχομαιmain verb→ durative presentεὔχομαι: 'pray'; the same verb as v.7, here naming the prayer's positive object.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive)
κατάρτισινrestorationAccusativeapposition to τοῦτο (object of εὐχόμεθα)κατάρτισις: 'restoration, complete equipping' (cf. καταρτίζω, to mend nets / set a bone); the church's full repair and maturing.
10
διὰ τοῦτο ταῦτα ἀπὼν γράφω, ἵνα παρὼν μὴ ἀποτόμως χρήσωμαι κατὰ τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἣν ὁ κύριος ἔδωκέν μοι εἰς οἰκοδομὴν καὶ οὐκ εἰς καθαίρεσιν.
For this reason I write these things while absent, so that when present I may not deal severely, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Purpose of the letterδιὰ τοῦτοPaul states why he writes ahead of the visit: the letter aims to forestall the need for severity. His ἐξουσία is real and Lord-given, but its charter is constructive — οἰκοδομή not καθαίρεσις. The warning is itself an act of building up, hoping repentance will make harshness unnecessary.
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause, in διὰ τοῦτο)
τοῦτοthis reasonAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')διὰ τοῦτο: 'for this reason, therefore'; gathering up the foregoing as motive for writing.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object of γράφωοὗτος (pl.): 'these things'; the warnings and appeals of the letter.
ἀπὼνbeing absentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἄπειμιcircumstantial participle (temporal)→ present (concurrent)ἄπειμι: 'be absent'; the writing happens from a distance, deliberately ahead of the visit.
γράφωI writePres Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ epistolary/durative presentγράφω: 'write'; the present of the act of composition (the 'epistolary present').
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose, + subj.)
παρὼνbeing presentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάρειμιcircumstantial participle (temporal, antithetical)→ present (concurrent)πάρειμι: 'be present'; the future visit, set against ἀπών — the writing aims to change what presence must do.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
ἀποτόμωςseverelyadverb (manner)ἀποτόμως: 'sharply, severely' (from ἀποτέμνω, 'cut off'); abrupt, cutting harshness — what Paul hopes to avoid.
χρήσωμαιI may deal/useAor Mid Subj 1 Sg · χράομαιverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctiveχράομαι: 'use, deal with, make use of'; here of using (exercising) his authority severely.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐξουσίανauthorityAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of dealing)ἐξουσία: 'authority, right'; the Lord-conferred apostolic power, real but bounded in its purpose.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔδωκεν)
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject of ἔδωκενκύριος: 'Lord'; the authority is delegated, not self-assumed — its source is Christ.
ἔδωκένgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give, grant'; the conferral of apostolic authority at Paul's commissioning.
μοιto meDativeindirect object
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
οἰκοδομὴνbuilding upAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)οἰκοδομή: 'building up, edification'; the constructive charter of apostolic authority (cf. 10:8).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
καθαίρεσινtearing downAccusativeobject of εἰς (negated purpose)καθαίρεσις: 'tearing down, demolition'; the antithesis of οἰκοδομή — what the authority is NOT for.
11
Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ' ὑμῶν.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Be restored, be exhorted, be of the same mind, be at peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Closing exhortationΛοιπόνThe closing 'finally' (λοιπόν) launches a rapid chain of imperatives that recapitulate the letter's pastoral aims — joy, restoration, mutual exhortation, unity, peace. The promise attached caps them: where these are pursued, the God who is himself love and peace will dwell among them.
ΛοιπόνfinallyAccusativeadverbial accusative (transition)λοιπόν: 'finally, for the rest'; the adverbial accusative signaling the letter's wind-down.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; affectionate direct address closing the breach of the letter on familial terms.
χαίρετεrejoice!Pres Act Impv 2 Pl · χαίρωimperative→ customary present imperativeχαίρω: 'rejoice'; possibly also the conventional 'farewell,' but here primarily the call to joy.
καταρτίζεσθεbe restored!Pres Pass/Mid Impv 2 Pl · καταρτίζωimperative→ customary present imperativeκαταρτίζω: 'mend, restore, set in order'; echoes κατάρτισις (v.9) — let yourselves be put right.
παρακαλεῖσθεbe exhorted!Pres Pass Impv 2 Pl · παρακαλέωimperative→ customary present imperativeπαρακαλέω: 'exhort, comfort, encourage'; the letter's keyword (παράκλησις) — heed the appeal / take comfort.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (w/ αὐτό)
αὐτὸ(the) same (thing)Accusativedirect object of φρονεῖτεαὐτός: 'same'; τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν = the Pauline idiom for like-mindedness/unity (cf. Phil 2:2).
φρονεῖτεbe minded!Pres Act Impv 2 Pl · φρονέωimperative→ customary present imperativeφρονέω: 'think, set the mind on'; here 'be of one mind' — shared disposition, not mere agreement.
εἰρηνεύετεbe at peace!Pres Act Impv 2 Pl · εἰρηνεύωimperative→ customary present imperativeεἰρηνεύω: 'live in peace, be at peace'; the practical fruit of unity within the community.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result/promise)
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἔσται
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἀγάπηςloveGenitiveattributive/qualitative genitiveἀγάπη: 'love'; 'the God of love' — God characterized by, and the source of, love.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitiveattributive/qualitative genitiveεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the doubled title binds the promise to the just-given imperatives (be at peace).
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ predictive future (assured promise)εἰμί: 'be'; the assured divine presence — the promised consequence of obedience.
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά
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Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν ἁγίῳ φιλήματι. ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἅγιοι πάντες.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
GreetingasyndetonThe conventional epistolary greeting — the holy kiss as a sign of reconciled fellowship, fitting after a chapter urging peace — and the corporate greeting from 'all the saints' (the believers with Paul), binding the Corinthians into the wider church. (Some editions number the second sentence as a separate v.13.)
Ἀσπάσασθεgreet!Aor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιimperative→ ingressive/constative aorist imperativeἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, embrace'; the standard verb of epistolary greetings.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativedirect object (reciprocal pronoun)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the reciprocal — mutual greeting within the reconciled body.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means/manner)
ἁγίῳholyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; distinguishes the sacred fraternal kiss from any common greeting.
φιλήματιkissDativedat. of means/mannerφίλημα: 'kiss'; the customary sign of familial affection and peace among believers (cf. Rom 16:16).
ἀσπάζονταιgreetPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ durative present (a present act of greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: here in the indicative — the saints with Paul send their greetings.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἅγιοιsaintsNominativesubject (substantival adjective)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the believers around Paul, sending their corporate greeting.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (w/ ἅγιοι)
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Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Trinitarian benedictionasyndetonThe letter closes with the fullest of the Pauline benedictions — the threefold blessing naming the Lord Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit. Its triadic shape (grace–love–fellowship) is a primary NT witness to the Triune God, and an apt seal on a letter so concerned with reconciliation and shared life. (Some editions number this v.13, others v.14.)
ἩtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (of implied optative/εἴη)χάρις: 'grace'; the unmerited favor of Christ — placed first, the ground of the whole blessing.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivesubjective genitive (grace given by the Lord)κύριος: 'Lord'; the source of the grace — Christ as the giver.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀγάπηloveNominativesubject (coordinate)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the love of God the Father — the fountainhead from which grace flows.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivesubjective genitive (love shown by God)θεός: God (the Father); the love that originates salvation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
κοινωνίαfellowshipNominativesubject (coordinate)κοινωνία: 'fellowship, participation, communion'; the shared life created and sustained by the Spirit (possibly 'fellowship given by' or 'participation in' the Spirit).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifies πνεύματος — the Holy Spirit.
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive (subjective or objective; debated)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the third member of the triad — the Spirit who effects communion among believers and with God.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (w/ ὑμῶν)πᾶς: 'all'; the blessing embraces the whole community without exception — a fitting close to a letter on reconciliation.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά