Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 9:4
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
4. lest haply ] The earlier editions have happily ( paraventure, Tyndale), with the same meaning as in the text.
they of Macedonia ] We should rather say in English any Macedonians. From this it has been inferred that the brethren sent previously were not Macedonians. See ch. 2Co 8:17-24.
we (that we say not, you)] The ‘we’ is emphatic. We have another instance here of what we might call the gentlemanly instinct of the Apostle. See note on ch. 2Co 7:3. ‘I should be ashamed of my confidence, and, might I not add, you also would be ashamed that I should have expressed it.’
confident boasting ] The word ‘ boasting ’ is omitted by most recent editors. It is absent from the best MSS. and versions, and has probably been introduced from ch. 2Co 11:17. The rendering in this case must be ‘ in this confidence ’ i.e. which I have had in you. Some would render by ‘foundation’ or ‘substance’ ( in hoc substantia, Vulg.), the latter being the literal rendering of the word (see Heb 11:1, also 2Co 1:3 where it is translated person); but in Heb 3:14, as in Classical Greek and in the LXX., it means and is rendered confidence. It means originally (1) that on which one takes one’s stand; or (2) that which stands beneath us. Hence in later Greek theology it came to mean person, as the underlying entity at the root of all apparent being. Compare our English words understand, understanding, which however, like the Latin substantia, have had a different history, and have arrived at a different signification.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Lest haply if they of Macedonia – If any of the Macedonians should happen to come with me, and should find that you had done nothing. He does not say that they would come with him, but it was by no means improbable that they would. It was customary for some of the members of the churches to travel with Paul from place to place, and the conversation was constant between Macedonia and Achaia. Paul had, therefore, every reason to suppose that some of the Macedonians would accompany him when he should go to Corinth. At all events it was probable that the Macedonians would learn from some quarter whether the Corinthians were or were not ready when Paul should go to them.
should be ashamed …}We (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed … – In this, says Bloomfield, one cannot but recognize a most refined and delicate turn, inferior to none of the best Classical writers. Paul had boasted confidently that the Corinthians would be ready with their collection. He had excited and stimulated the Macedonians by this consideration. He had induced them in this way to give liberally, 2Co 8:1-4. If now it should turn out after all that the Corinthians had given nothing, or had given stintedly, the character of Paul would suffer. His veracity and his judgment would be called in question, and he would be accused of trick, and artifice, and fraud in inducing them to give. Or if he should not be charged with dishonesty, yet he would be humbled and mortified himself that he had made representations which had proved to be so unfounded. But this was not all. The character of the Corinthians was also at stake. They had purposed to make the collection. They had left the impression in the mind of Paul that it would be done. They had hitherto evinced such a character as to make Paul confident that the collection would be made. If now by any means this should fail, their character would suffer, and they would have occasion to be ashamed that they had excited so confident expectations of what they would do.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
For if I should come, and any of the members of the churches of Macedonia, who have heard me boasting of you as a people very forward in this charitable work, and when they are come they should find you had done nothing, only talked much of your readiness, both I should be ashamed, and you also might see some cause to blush, which I, who consult your honour and reputation equally with my own, would prevent.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. if they of Macedoniaratheras Greek, “if Macedonians.”
unpreparedwith yourcollection; see 2Co 9:2,”ready,” Greek, “prepared.”
we, not to say yeYewould naturally feel more ashamed for yourselves, than we (whoboasted of you) would for you.
confident boastingTheoldest manuscripts read simply “confidence,” namely, inyour liberality.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me,…. The apostle had determined to come himself, though he was afterwards prevented by Providence, but could not be certain of the coming of the Macedonian brethren with him; however, as it was probable that some of them would come, whose hearts were so much in this work, therefore he judged it fit and proper to send the brethren before hand, in case they should come:
and find you unprepared; not so ready for this service as had been boasted of, and the collection not finished, which had been begun a year ago.
We (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting; or “in this same substance”, or “subsistence of boasting”: a boasting, which, he thought, they had the most solid and substantial ground and foundation to proceed upon; which, should it come to nothing, must cause shame both in the apostles, who had so largely, and with so much assurance, boasted of them; and in the Corinthians, who must be put to the blush, when it should be told them how much they had been boasted of with respect to their readiness, and yet were unprepared: so , “hope”, expectation, confidence, is rendered by the Septuagint , “boasting”, Pr 11:7 and in Ps 39:5 , the word here used. And some copies, and also the Vulgate Latin version, only read, “in this substance”, or glorying, and leave out boasting as superfluous.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
If there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared ( ). Condition of third class (undetermined, but stated as a lively possibility) with and the second aorist active subjunctive (, ), a bold and daring challenge. is a late and rare verbal adjective from with privative, only here in the N.T.
Lest by any means we should be put to shame ( ). Negative purpose with first aorist passive subjunctive of (see on 7:14) in the literary plural.
That we say not, ye ( ). A delicate syntactical turn for what he really has in mind. He does wish that they become ashamed of not paying their pledges.
Confidence (). This word, common from Aristotle on, comes from , to place under. It always has the notion of substratum or foundation as here; 2Cor 11:17; Heb 1:3. The papyri give numerous examples (Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary) of the word for “property” in various aspects. So in Heb 11:1 “faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.” In the LXX it represents fifteen different Hebrew words.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Confident boasting [] . Primarily something put under, foundation, ground; so substance (sub, stans, standing under), substantial quality : thence steadiness, confidence. Compare Heb 3:14; Heb 11:1. In the Septuagint the word represents fifteen different Hebrew words.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me,” (me pos ean elthosin sun emoi Makedones) “Lest, incidentally, if some of the Macedonians come with me.”
2) “And find you unprepared “ (kai heurosin humas aparaskeuastous) “and find you all unprepared,” after a year of good intentions and talking, Ecc 5:4-5; Luk 12:47; 2Ti 2:21.
3) “We should be ashamed,” (kataischunthomen hemeis) “we should be blushing or ashamed,” put to shame or humiliated in misplaced confidence, for we expect generosity and gratitude to be expressed in your giving.
4) (“That we say not ye”), (hina me legomen humeis) “in order that we say not you all,” will be blushing or ashamed; Paul wrote delicately as if a failure on the part of the Corinthians would be his fault.
5) “In this same confident boasting “ (en te hupostasei taute) “in this confidence,” which we have held and do hold in you all; Paul appealed to the highest and noblest ideals in the Corinthians. He appealed to their unselfish feelings of gratitude and generosity, a noble basis of motivation to higher things. For if one have not gratitude and generosity this is still the most effective manner of producing it in believers, Pro 25:11.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
4. In this confidence The Greek term being ὑπόστασις the Old Interpreter has rendered it substantiam , ( substance.) (708) Erasmus renders it argumentum , ( subject-matter,) but neither is suitable. Budaeus, however, observes, that this term is sometimes taken to mean boldness, or confidence, as it is used by Polybius when he says, ὀυχ οὑτω την δύναμιν ὡς τὴν ὑπόστασιν καὶ τόλμαν αὐτοῦ καταπεπληγμένον τῶν εναντίων — “It was not so much his bodily strength, as his boldness and intrepidity, that proved confounding to the enemy.” (709) Hence ὑποτατικός sometimes means one that is bold and confident. (710) Now every one must see, how well this meaning accords with Paul’s thread of discourse. Hence it appears, that other interpreters have, through inadvertency, fallen into a mistake.
(708) In Wiclif’s version, (1380,) the rendering is, “in this substaunce;” Rheims (1582) has, “in this substance.”
(709) The expression here quoted from Polybius, (lib. 6: cap. 53, p. 691,) is made use of by the historian in relating a heroic exploit of Publius Horatius Cocles, who, on occasion of a sudden attempt being made upon the city of Rome by Porsena, king of Clusium, the most powerful prince at that time in Italy, having stationed himself, with singular intrepidity, on the Sublician bridge, along with two others, withstood the attack of the enemy, and effectually obstructed their progress, until the bridge was cut down from behind, after which he leaped into the river, and swam across to his friends in safety, amidst the darts of the enemy. In honor of this daring adventure, a statue of Cocles, as is stated by Livy, (2:10,) was placed in the Comitium, and a grant of land was made to him, as much as he could plow round in one day. Raphelius adduces another instance in which Polybius employs ὑπόστασις in the same sense — “When the Rhodians,” says he, “perceive τὴν τῶν Βυζαντιῶν ὑποστασαι — the intrepidity of the Byzantians.” (Pol. lib. 6: p. 440.) — Ed
(710) The adjective ὑποστατικός is used in this sense by Aristotle, Eth. End. ii. 5, 5, and the adverb derived from it, ὑποστατικῶς, has a corresponding signification in Polybius, (lib. 5: cap. 16, p. 508, line 1,) Τοῦ δὲ βασιλέως ὑποστατικῶς φήσαντος “the king having spoken with firmness. ” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4) Lest haply if they of Macedonia . . .The Greek for Macedonians has no article, and the word is meant to stir up something like an esprit de corps. Surely you Achaians wont allow Macedonians to come and see that you fall short of what I told them about? It is a probable, but not, as some have thought, a necessary inference, that neither of the two unnamed brethren of 2Co. 8:18; 2Co. 8:22, were of that province. What he now indicates is, that it is, at all events, probable that when he comes to pay his deferred visit he will be accompanied by Macedonians. If, then, they were still not ready, there would be shame for him; how much more for them!
In this same confident boasting.Literally, in this confidence of boasting; but the better MSS. give in this confidence only. The word so translated (hypostasis), literally, that which stands under, the base or ground of anything, has the interest of a long subsequent history in metaphysical and theological controversies, of which we find, perhaps, the first trace in Heb. 1:3, where it appears as person, and Heb. 11:1, where it is rendered substance. (See Notes on those passages.) In Heb. 3:14, it has the same meaning as in this passage.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Haply Perhaps. We
ye
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Co 9:4 . Lest perhaps , etc.; this is to be guarded against by the .
. . .] if there shall have come , etc., namely, as giving escort after the fashion of the ancient church. See Act 17:14-15 , al. ; 2Co 1:16 ; 1Co 16:6 ; Rom 15:24 .
] Macedonians without the articl.
] not in readiness (often in Xen., as Anab. i. 5. 9); is more frequent, and the two words are often interchanged in the MSS.; see Bornemann, ad Xen. Anab. 1:1. 6. Here it is equivalent to: so that you are not ready to hand over the money; the expression is purposely chosen in reference to 2Co 9:2 .
] see 2Co 9:3 . But because this being put to shame in the case supposed would have involved the Corinthians as its originators, Paul with tender delicacy (not serene pleasantry, as Olshausen thinks), moving the sense of honour of the readers, adds parenthetically: .
] in respect of this confidence , according to which we have maintained that you were in readiness. Comp. 2Co 11:17 ; Heb 3:14 ; Heb 11:1 ; LXX. Psa 39:7 ; Eze 19:5 ; Rth 1:12 ; and passages in Wetstein; Suicer, Thes . II. p. 1398. So Calvin, Beza, Erasmus Schmid, Calovius, Wolf, Bengel, Rosenmller, and others, including de Wette, Osiander, Hofmann. But others take it as quite equivalent to , 2Co 9:3 : in hac materia, in hoc argumento (gloriationis). Comp. Vulgate: in hac substantia . So Chrysostom, Theophylact, Erasmus, Castalio, Estius, Kypke, Munthe, and others, including Schrader, Rckert, Olshausen, Ewald. Linguistically correct, no doubt (Polyb. iv. 2.1; Casaubon, ad Polyb. i. 5. 3, p. 111; Diodorus, i. 3; comp. also Heb 1:3 , and Bleek, Heb. Br . II. 1, p. 61 f.), but here a point quite unnecessary to be mentioned. And why should we depart from the meaning: confidence , when this is certain in the usage of the N. T., and here, as at 2Co 11:17 , is strikingly appropriate? The insertion of . forms no objection (this in opposition to Rckert), since certainly the putting to shame of the apostle in regard to his confidence would have been laid to the blame of the Corinthians, because they would have frustrated this confidence; hence there is not even ground for referring that insertion merely to . exclusive of . . . (Hofmann). Lastly, the explanation of Grotius: in hoc fundamento meae jactationis , has likewise, doubtless, some support in linguistic usage (Diodor. i. 66, xiii. 82, al. ; LXX. Psa 69:2 ; Jer 23:22 , al. ), but falls to the ground, because . is not genuine.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.
Ver. 4. In this same confident boasting ] Gr. “in this confidence of glorying.” A metaphor from. hunters, who confidently expect the beast, and valiantly set upon him. Sic Latini dicunt, subsistere aprum. So the Latins say that the boar stands.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
4. ] lest perchance if Macedonians should come with me (to you: to bring me on my way, or to bear the Macedonian collection.
We may infer from this expression, that neither of the two brethren above mentioned, ch. 2Co 8:18 ; 2Co 8:22 , was a Macedonian), and should find you unprepared (with your collection, see 2Co 9:2 ) we (who have boasted), not to say you (who were boasted of), should be put to shame, in the matter of this confidence (respecting you. , as elsewhere in N. T. and LXX, see reff., subjective : the attempt to give it here the meaning of ‘ foundation ,’ ‘ matter boasted of ,’ as Chrys., Theophyl., Erasm., Grot., al., Rck., Olsh., is unnecessary, and has probably been induced by the gloss inserted from ch. 2Co 11:17 ; but see there also).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Co 9:4 . . . .: lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia (not “they of Macedonia,” as A.V.; it is probably a fair inference from this verse that the unnamed “brethren” of 2Co 8:18 ; 2Co 8:22 were not Macedonians), and find you unprepared, i.e. , with the collection still incomplete, we that we say not, ye (which is what he really wishes to convey to them) should be put to shame in this confidence, i.e. , should be shamed because of our exaggerated statements. = substratum or substance (Heb 1:3 ; Heb 11:1 ) is sometimes used in the LXX as = “ground of hope” (Rth 1:12 , Psa 38:6 , Eze 19:5 ), and thus it came to mean “confidence,” as here (see reff.).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Lest haply = Lest by any means. Greek. me pos.
if. App-118.
with. Greek. sun. App-104.
unprepared. Greek. aparaskeuastos. Only here.
not. Greek me. App-105,I.
ashamed. Greek. kataischuno. See Rom 5:5.
confident = confidence. Greek. hupostasis. Here, 2Co 11:17. Heb 1:3; Heb 3:14; Heb 11:1.
boasting. Greek. kauchesis. See Rom 3:27. The texts omit.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
4.] lest perchance if Macedonians should come with me (to you:-to bring me on my way, or to bear the Macedonian collection.
We may infer from this expression, that neither of the two brethren above mentioned, ch. 2Co 8:18; 2Co 8:22, was a Macedonian), and should find you unprepared (with your collection, see 2Co 9:2) we (who have boasted), not to say you (who were boasted of), should be put to shame, in the matter of this confidence (respecting you. , as elsewhere in N. T. and LXX, see reff., subjective: the attempt to give it here the meaning of foundation, matter boasted of, as Chrys., Theophyl., Erasm., Grot., al., Rck., Olsh., is unnecessary, and has probably been induced by the gloss inserted from ch. 2Co 11:17; but see there also).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Co 9:4. , ye) much more so [you would feel still more ashamed than we].-, stedfast confidence) [concerning your liberality], ch. 2Co 11:17.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
2Co 9:4
2Co 9:4
lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence.-Lest any of those from Macedonia who had heard Paul glorying of the churches of Achaia, especially of the Corinthians, come and find that they had done but little, he would, to say nothing of them, be put to shame for having gloried in their readiness.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
they: 2Co 9:2, 2Co 8:1-5
be ashamed: 2Co 8:24, 2Co 11:17
Reciprocal: 2Co 9:3 – have 2Co 12:21 – my God Phi 1:6 – confident 2Th 1:4 – glory Heb 11:1 – substance
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Co 9:4. The brethren from Macedonia would be with Paul when he came to take up the money at Corinth. If they had forgotten to get ready it would make the apostle feel as if they had “let him down.” That we say not ye. Even if such a condition should be found upon arrival, Paul would take the humiliation upon himself only, and he wished to avoid it by this reminder.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Verse 4 Paul did not want to be ashamed, to say nothing of the shame of Corinthians would feel, if one from Macedonia should come and find their example not as good as the Macedonians’ own gift.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
lest by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be put to shame in this confidence. [I have gloried or boasted concerning you in many respects, and have hitherto had to retract nothing which I said. That my glorying concerning your liberality may not prove an exception and require a retraction, I have sent these messengers that they might gather together the collection which you pledged, and perhaps began to take up last year. For if any Macedonians should come with me to Corinth and find the collection ungathered, I would be ashamed for having represented you as better than you were, and you would be ashamed of having been held up as a model for the emulation of those who were, in fact, better than you.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 4
Confident boasting; the confident assurances which he had given the Macedonians that the churches of Achaia were ready to contribute liberally.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same {a} confident boasting.
(a) The word which he uses signifies a mind so steady and established that it cannot be moved by any terror or fear.