1
Συνεργοῦντες δὲ καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν μὴ εἰς κενὸν τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ δέξασθαι ὑμᾶς·
Working together with him, then, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
Continuation / appealδὲResuming the reconciliation theme of 5:20, Paul moves from the message of reconciliation to a direct exhortation: as God's fellow-worker he pleads that their reception of grace bear fruit.
Συνεργοῦντεςworking togetherPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συνεργέωadverbial participle of attendant circumstance→ present (ongoing concurrent)συνεργέω: 'work together with' (σύν + ἔργον); the object is unexpressed — fellow-workers with God (cf. 1 Cor 3:9), or with the Corinthians, in the work of grace.
δὲthen/andtransitional conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
παρακαλοῦμενwe urge/appealPres Act Indic 1 Pl · παρακαλέωmain verb→ customary presentπαρακαλέω: 'call alongside, exhort, beseech' (παρά + καλέω); the same verb as the 'we beg you' of 5:20 — the apostolic appeal continues.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
εἰςin/topreposition + accusative (result/purpose)
κενὸνvain/emptinessAccusativeobject of εἰς (εἰς κενόν = 'to no purpose')κενός: 'empty, void, in vain'; εἰς κενόν is an idiom for an outcome that comes to nothing (cf. Gal 2:2; Phil 2:16).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
χάρινgraceAccusativedirect object of δέξασθαιχάρις: 'grace, favor'; here the saving grace announced in the gospel of reconciliation — not to be received emptily.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/authorθεός: God; the grace originates with God, given through Christ's reconciling work.
δέξασθαιto receiveAor Mid Inf · δέχομαιinfinitive of indirect discourse (content of appeal)→ constative aoristδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome, accept'; the middle stresses welcoming reception — grace is to be embraced, not received fruitlessly.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
2
λέγει γάρ· Καιρῷ δεκτῷ ἐπήκουσά σου καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σωτηρίας ἐβοήθησά σοι· ἰδοὺ νῦν καιρὸς εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδοὺ νῦν ἡμέρα σωτηρίας·
For he says: "In a favorable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the well-favored time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Ground (Scripture proof)γάρPaul grounds the urgency by citing Isaiah 49:8 (LXX) and then seizes its 'time/day' to declare an emphatic 'now' — the present moment of the gospel is itself the eschatological day of salvation.
λέγειhe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introduces citation)→ gnomic/timeless presentλέγω: 'say'; the unexpressed subject is God (speaking in Scripture) — Paul's habitual citation formula.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
Καιρῷin a timeDativedative of time (when)καιρός: 'appointed time, opportune moment' (vs. mere chronological χρόνος); the decisive, favorable season.
δεκτῷfavorable/acceptableDativeattributive adjectiveδεκτός: 'accepted, welcome' (verbal adj. of δέχομαι); the time God accepts the prayer and acts.
ἐπήκουσάI heard/heededAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπακούωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristἐπακούω: 'hear with attention, heed' (ἐπί-directive); to listen favorably to a prayer and respond.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐπήκουσά
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ἡμέρᾳa dayDativedative of time (within which)ἡμέρα: 'day'; paired with καιρός, the appointed day of deliverance.
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitiveattributive (descriptive) genitiveσωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance, rescue'; the day characterized by God's saving help.
ἐβοήθησάI helpedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · βοηθέωmain verb (citation)→ constative aoristβοηθέω: 'come to aid, help' (lit. 'run at a cry'); God's responsive rescue in the appointed day.
σοιyouDativedative of advantage (recipient of help)
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'look! behold!'; frozen aorist imperative of ὁράω, pointing dramatically to the present moment.
νῦνnowadverb of time (emphatic)νῦν: 'now'; the repeated νῦν collapses Isaiah's promise into the eschatological present of the gospel.
καιρὸςtimeNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause)καιρός: the opportune time — now fulfilled in Christ's day.
εὐπρόσδεκτοςwell-favored/most acceptableNominativeattributive/predicate adjectiveεὐπρόσδεκτος: 'fully acceptable, welcome' (εὖ + προσδέχομαι); intensifies Isaiah's δεκτός — this is the supremely acceptable time.
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention-marker)
νῦνnowadverb of time (emphatic)
ἡμέραdayNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause)
σωτηρίαςof salvationGenitiveattributive (descriptive) genitive
3
μηδεμίαν ἐν μηδενὶ διδόντες προσκοπήν, ἵνα μὴ μωμηθῇ ἡ διακονία,
giving no occasion for stumbling in anything, so that the ministry may not be blamed,
Manner of ministryasyndetonA participial clause attaching to 'we urge' (v.1): the appeal is backed by conduct that puts no obstacle in anyone's path, lest the diaconal ministry itself be discredited.
μηδεμίανnoAccusativeattributive adjective (with προσκοπήν)μηδείς: 'no one, none'; fem. form agreeing with προσκοπήν, fronted for emphasis — 'not a single offense.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
μηδενὶanythingDativeobject of ἐν (sphere — 'in nothing')μηδείς: here neuter, 'in no respect, in nothing'; the double negative (μηδεμίαν … μηδενί) is intensive Greek idiom, not a logical positive.
διδόντεςgivingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · δίδωμιadverbial participle (manner, modifying παρακαλοῦμεν of v.1)→ present (ongoing)δίδωμι: 'give'; here 'give/cause' an occasion — Paul refuses to provide grounds for offense.
προσκοπήνoccasion for stumblingAccusativedirect object of διδόντεςπροσκοπή: 'occasion of stumbling, offense' (from προσκόπτω, 'strike against'); a NT hapax — anything that trips someone up.
ἵναso thatconjunction introducing purpose clause
μὴnotnegative particle
μωμηθῇmay be blamed/found fault withAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · μωμάομαιsubjunctive in purpose clause→ constative aoristμωμάομαι: 'find fault with, blame' (from μῶμος, 'blemish, censure'); the ministry must remain above reproach.
ἡtheNominativearticle
διακονίαministry/serviceNominativesubject of μωμηθῇδιακονία: 'service, ministry'; the apostolic ministry of reconciliation (cf. 5:18), whose honor is at stake.
4
ἀλλ' ἐν παντὶ συνιστάντες ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι, ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις,
but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God: in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
Contrast / positive counterpartἀλλ'The adversative balances v.3: not giving offense, but positively commending themselves as God's servants. The verse opens the great peristasis-catalogue (vv.4–10) — a triad of nine hardships, then virtues, then paradoxes.
ἀλλ'butstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, rather'; marks the positive contrast to the negative of v.3.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
παντὶeverythingDativeobject of ἐν ('in every [respect]')πᾶς: 'all, every'; ἐν παντί = 'in every circumstance,' the comprehensive frame of the list.
συνιστάντεςcommendingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συνίστημιadverbial participle (manner, parallel to διδόντες v.3)→ present (ongoing)συνίστημι: 'put together, commend, prove'; to demonstrate one's genuineness (cf. 3:1; 4:2) — here by endurance, not self-promotion.
ἑαυτοὺςourselvesAccusativedirect object (reflexive pronoun)
ὡςascomparative particle (capacity/role)ὡς: 'as, in the capacity of'; introduces the role in which they commend themselves.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of possession/relationship (fronted for emphasis)θεός: God; the emphatic word-order ('God's servants') stresses whose ministers they are.
διάκονοιservants/ministersNominativepredicate nominative (with ὡς)διάκονος: 'servant, minister, attendant'; the personal counterpart to διακονία (v.3) — those who do the serving.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (attendant circumstance)
ὑπομονῇenduranceDativedative of attendant circumstance (heads the list)ὑπομονή: 'steadfast endurance, perseverance' (lit. 'remaining under'); the cardinal virtue under which the whole catalogue stands.
πολλῇmuch/greatDativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'much, great'; the endurance is abundant, matching the abundance of trials.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
θλίψεσινafflictionsDativedative of circumstance (first of the hardship triad)θλῖψις: 'pressure, affliction, tribulation' (from θλίβω, 'press'); general distress, the broadest of the three.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
ἀνάγκαιςhardships/necessitiesDativedative of circumstanceἀνάγκη: 'necessity, constraint, distress'; pressing hardships that allow no escape.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
στενοχωρίαιςdistresses/tight placesDativedative of circumstance (closes the triad)στενοχωρία: 'narrowness, a tight corner, anguish' (στενός + χώρα, 'narrow space'); the most acute of the three — being hemmed in.
5
ἐν πληγαῖς, ἐν φυλακαῖς, ἐν ἀκαταστασίαις, ἐν κόποις, ἐν ἀγρυπνίαις, ἐν νηστείαις,
in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in labors, in sleepless nights, in hungers,
Catalogue continuation (hardships)asyndetonThe second hardship triad: three sufferings inflicted by others (beatings, prisons, riots), then three self-imposed or endured rigors of mission (labors, sleepless nights, hungers).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
πληγαῖςbeatings/blowsDativedative of circumstanceπληγή: 'blow, stripe, wound' (from πλήσσω, 'strike'); the lashings Paul recounts in 11:23–25.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
φυλακαῖςimprisonmentsDativedative of circumstanceφυλακή: 'guard, prison, imprisonment'; the plural notes Paul's repeated incarcerations (cf. 11:23).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
ἀκαταστασίαιςriots/disturbancesDativedative of circumstance (closes the inflicted triad)ἀκαταστασία: 'instability, disorder, riot' (privative of καθίστημι); the mob tumults stirred against Paul (cf. Acts 19).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
κόποιςlabors/toilsDativedative of circumstance (opens the self-endured triad)κόπος: 'wearisome labor, toil' (from κόπτω, 'beat, grow weary'); exhausting work, often Paul's manual trade and ministry effort.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
ἀγρυπνίαιςsleepless nights/watchingsDativedative of circumstanceἀγρυπνία: 'sleeplessness, wakefulness' (lit. 'hunting sleep'); nights of wakeful toil or anxiety.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)
νηστείαιςhungers/fastingsDativedative of circumstance (closes the triad)νηστεία: 'fasting, going hungry'; likely involuntary hunger from missionary deprivation (cf. 11:27), not cultic fasting.
6
ἐν ἁγνότητι, ἐν γνώσει, ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ, ἐν χρηστότητι, ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ,
in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
Catalogue continuation (virtues)asyndetonThe list pivots from outward hardships to inward graces — the moral and spiritual equipment of true ministry, climaxing in the Holy Spirit and unfeigned love.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
ἁγνότητιpurityDativedative of means/mannerἁγνότης: 'purity, moral blamelessness, integrity' (from ἁγνός, 'pure'); the clean conduct that commends the minister.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
γνώσειknowledgeDativedative of means/mannerγνῶσις: 'knowledge'; here insight into the gospel and its right handling (cf. 2:14; 4:6).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
μακροθυμίᾳpatience/longsufferingDativedative of means/mannerμακροθυμία: 'long-temperedness, forbearance' (μακρός + θυμός); slowness to anger under provocation — a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
χρηστότητιkindnessDativedative of means/mannerχρηστότης: 'kindness, goodness, benevolence' (from χρηστός, 'useful, good'); active gracious treatment of others.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/agency)
πνεύματιSpiritDativedative of agency/sphereπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; most read πνεύματι ἁγίῳ as the Holy Spirit, the empowering source of these graces, set centrally in the list.
ἁγίῳHolyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; identifies the Spirit as the divine Holy Spirit rather than a mere disposition.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
ἀγάπῃloveDativedative of means/manner (climax of the virtues)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving love, the crown of the virtue-list (cf. 1 Cor 13).
ἀνυποκρίτῳsincere/unhypocriticalDativeattributive adjectiveἀνυπόκριτος: 'without play-acting, genuine' (privative of ὑποκρίνομαι, 'act a part'); love free of pretense (cf. Rom 12:9).
7
ἐν λόγῳ ἀληθείας, ἐν δυνάμει θεοῦ· διὰ τῶν ὅπλων τῆς δικαιοσύνης τῶν δεξιῶν καὶ ἀριστερῶν,
in the word of truth, in the power of God; through the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left,
Catalogue continuation (means / equipment)asyndetonTwo final ἐν-phrases (truthful word, God's power) close the means; then the preposition shifts to διά, introducing the military image of righteousness as weaponry for offense and defense alike.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means)
λόγῳwordDativedative of meansλόγος: 'word, message, speech'; here the truthful gospel proclamation.
ἀληθείαςof truthGenitiveattributive (descriptive) genitiveἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the word characterized by truth — straight, undeceitful preaching (cf. 4:2).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means)
δυνάμειpowerDativedative of meansδύναμις: 'power'; the divine power that accompanies the ministry (cf. 4:7), not human eloquence.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of sourceθεός: God; the power's source — God's own might at work in the apostle.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/instrument)διά: the shift from ἐν to διά marks a new sub-image — righteousness as instrument/armament.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ὅπλωνweapons/armorGenitiveobject of διά (instrument)ὅπλον: 'tool, weapon'; plural = arms/armor (cf. Rom 6:13; 13:12; Eph 6) — the metaphor of spiritual warfare.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
δικαιοσύνηςrighteousnessGenitiveattributive (descriptive) genitiveδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, uprightness'; the weapons are forged of/consist in righteousness.
τῶνfor theGenitivearticle (substantizing the adjectives)
δεξιῶνright (hand)Genitiveattributive substantive (genitive of reference)δεξιός: 'right-hand'; the right hand wields the offensive sword — armaments for attack.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀριστερῶνleft (hand)Genitiveattributive substantive (genitive of reference)ἀριστερός: 'left-hand'; the left bears the defensive shield — equipped for both attack and defense.
8
διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ δυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας· ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς,
through glory and dishonor, through ill repute and good repute; regarded as deceivers, yet truthful,
Catalogue continuation (paradoxes)asyndetonThe list turns to antitheses: pairs joined by διά (the conditions Paul passes through), then a run of ὡς-clauses (vv.8b–10) contrasting how he is reckoned against what is true — the great ministry paradoxes.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (attendant circumstance)διά: here 'through, amid' — the contrasting conditions the ministry passes through.
δόξηςglory/honorGenitiveobject of διάδόξα: 'glory, honor, repute'; here the esteem in which one is held — paired with its opposite.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀτιμίαςdishonorGenitiveobject of διά (antithesis)ἀτιμία: 'dishonor, disgrace' (privative of τιμή, 'honor'); the contemptible standing the apostle also endures.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (attendant circumstance)
δυσφημίαςill repute/slanderGenitiveobject of διάδυσφημία: 'evil report, slander' (δυσ- + φήμη, 'report'); the bad name spread about him — a NT hapax.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐφημίαςgood reputeGenitiveobject of διά (antithesis)εὐφημία: 'good report, praise' (εὖ + φήμη); the contrasting fair name — a NT hapax.
ὡςas/regarded ascomparative particle (how reckoned)ὡς: 'as'; introduces the run of paradoxes — how the world reckons them vs. the reality.
πλάνοιdeceivers/impostorsNominativepredicate nominative (with implied 'we are reckoned')πλάνος: 'deceiving, a deceiver, impostor' (from πλανάω, 'lead astray'); the charge of his opponents.
καὶand yetadversative-coordinating conjunctionκαί: here concessive-adversative, 'and yet' — joining appearance to reality.
ἀληθεῖςtruthful/trueNominativepredicate nominative (the reality)ἀληθής: 'true, truthful, honest'; the reality behind the slander — they are genuine.
9
ὡς ἀγνοούμενοι καὶ ἐπιγινωσκόμενοι, ὡς ἀποθνῄσκοντες καὶ ἰδοὺ ζῶμεν, ὡς παιδευόμενοι καὶ μὴ θανατούμενοι,
as unknown, yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as disciplined, yet not put to death;
Catalogue continuation (paradoxes)asyndetonThree further ὡς-paradoxes built on participles: the gospel reality (known, alive, undestroyed) overturns the appearance (unknown, dying, chastened). The dramatic ἰδού spotlights the resurrection-life paradox.
ὡςascomparative particle
ἀγνοούμενοιunknown/ignoredPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀγνοέωsubstantival/predicate participle (appearance)→ present (ongoing)ἀγνοέω: 'not know, fail to recognize' (privative of γινώσκω); reckoned as nobodies, unrecognized.
καὶand yetadversative-coordinating conjunction
ἐπιγινωσκόμενοιwell known/fully recognizedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐπιγινώσκωsubstantival/predicate participle (reality)→ present (ongoing)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'know fully, recognize, acknowledge' (ἐπί-directive of γινώσκω); known truly — by God and by those with eyes to see.
ὡςascomparative particle
ἀποθνῄσκοντεςdyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀποθνῄσκωpredicate participle (appearance)→ present (progressive, 'in the process of dying')ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die, be dying'; the daily dying of the apostle (cf. 4:11; 1 Cor 15:31).
καὶandadversative-coordinating conjunction
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative particle (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'behold!'; dramatizes the astonishing reversal — against all expectation, they live.
ζῶμενwe livePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (the reality, breaking the participial pattern)→ present (ongoing reality)ζάω: 'live, be alive'; the finite verb interrupts the ὡς-series to underline resurrection-shaped life.
ὡςascomparative particle
παιδευόμενοιdisciplined/chastenedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · παιδεύωpredicate participle (appearance)→ present (ongoing)παιδεύω: 'train, discipline, chastise' (from παῖς, 'child'); divine fatherly correction, echoing Ps 118:18 LXX ('chastened, but not given to death').
καὶand yetadversative-coordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
θανατούμενοιput to deathPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · θανατόωpredicate participle (reality, negated)→ present (ongoing)θανατόω: 'put to death, kill' (from θάνατος, 'death'); chastened but preserved — not handed over to death.
10
ὡς λυπούμενοι ἀεὶ δὲ χαίροντες, ὡς πτωχοὶ πολλοὺς δὲ πλουτίζοντες, ὡς μηδὲν ἔχοντες καὶ πάντα κατέχοντες.
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.
Catalogue climax (paradoxes)asyndetonThe final three paradoxes (now with δέ marking the antithesis) bring the catalogue to its rhetorical peak: joy amid grief, wealth-giving poverty, all-possessing destitution — the cruciform pattern of gospel ministry.
ὡςascomparative particle
λυπούμενοιsorrowful/grievingPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λυπέωpredicate participle (appearance)→ present (ongoing)λυπέω: 'grieve, cause pain'; passive 'be grieved, be sorrowful' — the sorrow that genuinely attends the ministry (cf. 2:1–4).
ἀεὶalwaysadverb of timeἀεί: 'always, ever'; the joy is constant, not occasional — heightening the paradox.
δὲyetadversative conjunction (marks antithesis)
χαίροντεςrejoicingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · χαίρωpredicate participle (reality)→ present (ongoing)χαίρω: 'rejoice, be glad'; joy that coexists with and overcomes grief (cf. Phil 4:4).
ὡςascomparative particle
πτωχοὶpoorNominativepredicate nominative (appearance)πτωχός: 'poor, destitute, beggarly'; material poverty (cf. 8:9, where Christ's poverty enriches).
πολλοὺςmanyAccusativedirect object of πλουτίζοντεςπολύς: 'many'; the many enriched through the apostle's poverty.
δὲyetadversative conjunction (marks antithesis)
πλουτίζοντεςmaking rich/enrichingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πλουτίζωpredicate participle (reality)→ present (ongoing)πλουτίζω: 'make rich, enrich' (causative of πλοῦτος); the spiritual wealth bestowed despite material want (cf. 1 Cor 1:5).
ὡςascomparative particle
μηδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςμηδείς: 'nothing' (neuter); the destitution of the apostle in worldly terms.
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωpredicate participle (appearance)→ present (ongoing)ἔχω: 'have, hold, possess'; the appearance of having nothing.
καὶand yetadversative-coordinating conjunction
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of κατέχοντεςπᾶς: 'all, everything'; the all that belongs to those who are Christ's (cf. 1 Cor 3:21–22).
κατέχοντεςpossessing/holding fastPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κατέχωpredicate participle (reality, climactic)→ present (ongoing)κατέχω: 'hold fast, possess firmly' (κατά-intensive of ἔχω); the firm, secure possession that crowns the paradox — owning all in Christ.
11
Τὸ στόμα ἡμῶν ἀνέῳγεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, Κορίνθιοι, ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν πεπλάτυνται·
Our mouth has opened freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been enlarged.
Direct address / appealasyndetonThe catalogue gives way to a sudden, tender turn (asyndeton): Paul names them directly and speaks of frank, open speech and an expanded heart — the emotional climax that grounds the appeal of vv.12–13.
ΤὸtheNominativearticle
στόμαmouthNominativesubject of ἀνέῳγενστόμα: 'mouth'; metonymy for speech — Paul's frank, unreserved address to them.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἀνέῳγενhas opened/stands openPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled state: 'stands open')ἀνοίγω: 'open'; the perfect with present force — the mouth has opened and remains open, i.e. Paul speaks with complete candor.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (toward, of relationship)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
ΚορίνθιοιCorinthiansVocativevocative of direct addressΚορίνθιος: 'Corinthian'; Paul rarely names a church directly (cf. Gal 3:1; Phil 4:15) — the vocative signals deep feeling.
ἡtheNominativearticle
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of πεπλάτυνταικαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of affection and will — the inner self now opened wide to them.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
πεπλάτυνταιhas been enlarged/widenedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · πλατύνωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled state)πλατύνω: 'make broad, enlarge' (from πλατύς, 'wide'); echoes Ps 118:32 LXX ('enlarged heart') — Paul's affection has expanded to embrace them fully.
12
οὐ στενοχωρεῖσθε ἐν ἡμῖν, στενοχωρεῖσθε δὲ ἐν τοῖς σπλάγχνοις ὑμῶν·
You are not restricted in us, but you are restricted in your own affections.
Diagnosis of the breachasyndetonWordplay on στενοχωρία (v.4): the constriction is not on Paul's side but theirs. The narrowness lies in their own affections, not in any withholding by the apostle.
οὐnotnegative particle
στενοχωρεῖσθεyou are restricted/crampedPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · στενοχωρέωmain verb→ present (ongoing state)στενοχωρέω: 'confine, cramp, restrict' (cognate of στενοχωρία, v.4); 'you have no narrow place in us' — Paul's heart gives them ample room.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ἡμῖνusDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)
στενοχωρεῖσθεyou are restricted/crampedPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · στενοχωρέωmain verb (repeated for contrast)→ present (ongoing state)στενοχωρέω: repeated to locate the cramping — the constraint is in them, not Paul.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
σπλάγχνοιςaffections/inward partsDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)σπλάγχνα: lit. 'inward parts, bowels'; figuratively the seat of deep affection/compassion — 'your own hearts.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
13
τὴν δὲ αὐτὴν ἀντιμισθίαν, ὡς τέκνοις λέγω, πλατύνθητε καὶ ὑμεῖς.
Now in fair exchange — I speak as to children — you also be enlarged.
Appeal (the request itself)δὲThe reciprocal request: as fitting recompense for his open heart, and addressing them as his own children, Paul commands them to open their hearts in return — the goal of vv.11–13.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δὲnow/andtransitional conjunction
αὐτὴνsameAccusativeattributive (intensive) adjectiveαὐτός: here 'same'; the recompense is to be 'the same in kind' — heart for heart.
ἀντιμισθίανrecompense/exchangeAccusativeaccusative of respect/adverbial ('by way of recompense')ἀντιμισθία: 'recompense, repayment in kind' (ἀντί + μισθός, 'wages'); a rare word — Paul asks a fair return of affection.
ὡςascomparative particle
τέκνοιςchildrenDativedative (indirect object — to whom he speaks)τέκνον: 'child'; Paul addresses them as his spiritual offspring (cf. 1 Cor 4:14–15) — a father's claim on their love.
λέγωI speakPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (parenthetical)→ present (instantaneous, of the act of speaking)λέγω: 'say, speak'; a parenthetical softening — he speaks in fatherly tenderness.
πλατύνθητεbe enlarged/open wideAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · πλατύνωmain verb (imperative — the request)→ ingressive aorist (enter the state)πλατύνω: 'enlarge, widen'; the same verb as v.11 — they are to open their hearts as wide as his is open to them.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun — 'you too')
14
Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ; ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;
Do not become unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Prohibition / new exhortationasyndetonAn abrupt new appeal (asyndeton). The prohibition against mismatched alliance with unbelievers is grounded by the first two of five rhetorical antitheses, each demanding the answer 'none.'
Μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
γίνεσθεbecome/bePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative (stop/do not be in the habit)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; μὴ γίνεσθε = 'do not become' — guard against entering such alliances.
ἑτεροζυγοῦντεςunequally yokedPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἑτεροζυγέωpredicate participle (with γίνεσθε, periphrastic-like)→ present (ongoing)ἑτεροζυγέω: 'be yoked with another kind' (ἕτερος + ζυγός, 'yoke'); a NT hapax, echoing Lev 19:19 / Deut 22:10 (no mismatched team) — mismatched partnership with unbelievers.
ἀπίστοιςwith unbelieversDativedative of association (with ἑτεροζυγοῦντες)ἄπιστος: 'unbelieving, unfaithful' (privative of πιστός); those outside the faith — the forbidden yoke-partners.
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who? what?'; the rhetorical questions expect the answer 'none.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounds the prohibition)
μετοχὴpartnership/sharingNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'what sharing is there')μετοχή: 'partnership, participation, sharing' (from μετέχω, 'share in'); a NT hapax — common possession of one thing.
δικαιοσύνῃfor righteousnessDativedative (with μετοχή — the parties sharing)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, uprightness'; the first member of the antithesis.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνομίᾳlawlessnessDativedative (the opposed party)ἀνομία: 'lawlessness, iniquity' (privative of νόμος, 'law'); the opposite of righteousness — they can share nothing.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
κοινωνίαfellowshipNominativepredicate nominative (verbless)κοινωνία: 'fellowship, communion, sharing in common' (from κοινός, 'common'); the deep partnership impossible between opposites.
φωτὶfor lightDativedative (the party sharing)φῶς: 'light'; the realm of God and truth — the second antithesis.
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (relationship/'with')
σκότοςdarknessAccusativeobject of πρός (the opposed party)σκότος: 'darkness'; the realm of evil and ignorance — no concord with light (cf. 1 John 1:5–6).
15
τίς δὲ συμφώνησις Χριστοῦ πρὸς Βελιάρ, ἢ τίς μερὶς πιστῷ μετὰ ἀπίστου;
And what harmony has Christ with Beliar, or what share has a believer with an unbeliever?
Antitheses continuedδὲThe third and fourth antitheses sharpen the opposition: from abstractions to persons — Christ vs. Beliar (Satan), believer vs. unbeliever — making the conflict concrete and unresolvable.
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
συμφώνησιςharmony/agreementNominativepredicate nominative (verbless)συμφώνησις: 'concord, agreement' (σύν + φωνή, 'sound together'; cf. 'symphony'); a NT hapax — harmonious accord between two.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive (the party in view)Χριστός: 'Christ, Anointed'; here the head of the believing community, set against his adversary.
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (relationship)
ΒελιάρBeliarAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable name)Βελιάρ: a name for Satan (Hebrew bᵉliyyaʿal, 'worthlessness/wickedness'), with the common -r form; the prince of the dark realm — Christ's absolute opposite.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
μερὶςshare/portionNominativepredicate nominative (verbless)μερίς: 'part, share, portion' (from μέρος); a common lot or stake held together.
πιστῷfor a believerDativedative (the party sharing)πιστός: 'believing, faithful, trustworthy'; the one who has faith — opposite of ἄπιστος.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)
ἀπίστουan unbelieverGenitiveobject of μετά (the opposed party)ἄπιστος: 'unbelieving'; resumes v.14a — believer and unbeliever have no common portion.
16
τίς δὲ συγκατάθεσις ναῷ θεοῦ μετὰ εἰδώλων; ἡμεῖς γὰρ ναὸς θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος, καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μου λαός.
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said: "I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Final antithesis + Scriptural groundδὲThe fifth and climactic antithesis (temple vs. idols) yields the positive thesis — 'we are the temple of the living God' — which a composite citation (Lev 26:11–12; Ezek 37:27) then certifies as God's own promise of indwelling presence.
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
συγκατάθεσιςagreementNominativepredicate nominative (verbless)συγκατάθεσις: 'joint consent, agreement' (σύν + κατά + τίθημι, 'put down together'); a NT hapax — mutual assent, impossible here.
ναῷfor the templeDativedative (the party in view)ναός: 'sanctuary, temple (the inner shrine)'; the dwelling-place of God — not the whole precinct (ἱερόν) but the holy of holies.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of possession
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)
εἰδώλωνidolsGenitiveobject of μετά (the opposed party)εἴδωλον: 'image, idol' (from εἶδος, 'form'); the false god — God's temple cannot house idols (cf. 1 Cor 10:14–21).
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounds the antithesis)
ναὸςtempleNominativepredicate nominativeναός: the believing community is God's dwelling-shrine (cf. 1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:21) — hence no consorting with idols.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle (modifying θεοῦ)→ present (ongoing)ζάω: 'live'; 'the living God' — a stock OT contrast to dead idols (cf. Jer 10:10; 1 Thess 1:9), pointed here.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction (introduces citation)καθώς: 'just as, according as'; introduces the Scriptural warrant.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb (introduces citation)→ constative aoristεἶπον: suppletive aorist of λέγω, 'said'; God himself is the speaker of the promise.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of εἶπεν
ὅτιthatconjunction (ὅτι recitativum — introduces direct quotation)ὅτι: here marks the start of a direct quotation (left untranslated, like quotation marks).
ἘνοικήσωI will dwell in/amongFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐνοικέωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureἐνοικέω: 'dwell in, indwell' (ἐν + οἰκέω, 'live in a house'); echoes Lev 26:11–12 / Ezek 37:27 — God's covenant indwelling.
ἐνin/amongpreposition + dative (place)
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν (place)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐμπεριπατήσωI will walk amongFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐμπεριπατέωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureἐμπεριπατέω: 'walk about among' (ἐν + περί + πατέω); a NT hapax — God moving freely in the midst of his people, as in Eden/the camp.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσομαιI will beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (citation, covenant formula)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; 'I will be their God' — the heart of the covenant formula (cf. Gen 17:7; Jer 31:33).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (predicate)
θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἔσονταίthey shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (citation, covenant formula)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; the answering half of the formula — 'they shall be my people.'
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship (predicate)
λαόςpeopleNominativepredicate nominativeλαός: 'people' (esp. God's covenant people); the climactic covenant identity — they are his own people.
17
διὸ ἐξέλθατε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς·
Therefore "come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing; and I will welcome you."
Inference (call to separation)διὸThe promise of indwelling draws an inference: a call to come out and be separate (Isa 52:11; Ezek 20:34), with the conditional promise of God's welcome — the demand of holiness answered by divine reception.
διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'therefore, for which reason' (διʼ ὅ); draws the practical conclusion from the temple-promise.
ἐξέλθατεcome outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (imperative, citation)→ ingressive aorist (make the decisive break)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come/go out' (ἐκ + ἔρχομαι); the summons of Isa 52:11 — separation from defilement.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation/source)
μέσουthe midstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (ἐκ μέσου = 'from among')μέσος: 'middle, midst'; ἐκ μέσου = 'out of the middle of, from among.'
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive/possessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀφορίσθητεbe separate/separatedAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ἀφορίζωmain verb (imperative, citation)→ ingressive aoristἀφορίζω: 'mark off, separate, set apart' (ἀπό + ὁρίζω, 'bound'); the passive imperative — let yourselves be set apart to God.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (parenthetical citation formula)→ gnomic/timeless presentλέγω: 'say'; 'says the Lord' — the prophetic formula stamping the words as divine speech.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of λέγεικύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH — the speaker of the prophetic call.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀκαθάρτουunclean thingGenitivegenitive object of ἅπτεσθε (verb of touching)ἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean, impure' (privative of καθαρός); the defiled thing to be shunned — cultic-ethical purity (Isa 52:11).
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
ἅπτεσθεtouchPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἅπτωmain verb (prohibition, citation)→ present imperative (do not keep touching)ἅπτω (mid. ἅπτομαι): 'touch, take hold of' (+ genitive); the prohibition against contact with defilement.
κἀγὼand INominativesubject (crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, emphatic)κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, 'and I'; God's emphatic answering pledge to the obedient.
εἰσδέξομαιI will welcome/receiveFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰσδέχομαιmain verb (citation, promise)→ predictive futureεἰσδέχομαι: 'receive, welcome in' (εἰς + δέχομαι); echoes Ezek 20:34 — God gathers and welcomes the separated people.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of εἰσδέξομαι
18
καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ.
"And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me," says the Lord Almighty.
Climactic promiseκαὶThe catena closes with the adoption promise (2 Sam 7:14, expanded to 'sons and daughters'): God pledges fatherhood to the separated people, sealed by the title 'Lord Almighty' — the warrant for the holiness call of 7:1.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔσομαιI will beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (citation, promise)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; ἔσομαι εἰς (Semitic idiom) = 'I will become/be as' — the adoption pledge of 2 Sam 7:14.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of advantage/relationship
εἰςas/forpreposition + accusative (Semitic εἰς of predication)εἰς: in the εἶναι εἰς idiom (translating Hebrew lᵉ), 'be as/become' — a predicate role rather than direction.
πατέραa FatherAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate role)πατήρ: 'Father'; God's paternal relation to his people — originally the Davidic king, now widened to all believers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἔσεσθέyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (citation, promise)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; the answering pledge — they become God's sons and daughters.
μοιto meDativedative of advantage/relationship
εἰςas/forpreposition + accusative (Semitic εἰς of predication)
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate role)υἱός: 'son'; 2 Sam 7:14's 'son' is here pluralized and expanded — the whole community as God's children.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate role)θυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; the addition of daughters (beyond 2 Sam 7:14) underscores the inclusive scope of God's family (cf. Isa 43:6).
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (citation formula)→ gnomic/timeless presentλέγω: 'say'; the closing prophetic formula sealing the catena as divine speech.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of λέγεικύριος: 'Lord'; YHWH, the covenant God who speaks and keeps the promise.
παντοκράτωρAlmightyNominativeapposition to κύριος (title)παντοκράτωρ: 'all-ruling, Almighty' (πᾶς + κρατέω, 'rule all'); the LXX rendering of 'LORD of hosts/Shaddai' — the all-sovereign guarantor of the promise.