Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [2 Corinthians: Chapter 6].
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6:1 {Working together with him} (\sunergountes\). We are
co-workers, partners with God (1Co 3:9), in this work of grace.
{In vain} (\eis kenon\). Into emptiness. The plan of God, the
work of Christ on the Cross, the pleas of the ambassador may all
be nullified by the recipient of the message.
6:2 {Behold, now is the acceptable time} (\idou nun kairos
euprosdektos\). Here is another "Pauline parenthesis" (Plummer)
as in 5:7 by the quotation from Isa 49:8. The LXX has
\dektos\ (\dektoi\) verbal of \dechomai\, but Paul employs the
double compound (\eu, pros, dektos\), well-received. It occurs in
Aristophanes, Plutarch, inscription, etc.
6:3 {Giving no occasion of stumbling in any thing} (\m•demian en
m•deni didontes proskop•n\). \Proskop•\, late word (Polybius,
LXX), from \proskopt•\, to strike against, to stumble. Only here
in N.T. Note double negative in the Greek. {That the ministry be
not blamed} (\hina m• m•m•th•i h• diakonia\). Negative purpose
(\hina m•\). First aorist passive subjunctive of old verb
\m•maomai\ from \m•mos\, blot, blemish. One can read with profit
J. A. Hutton's Warrack Lectures, _That the Ministry Be Not
Blamed_.
6:4 {But in everything commending ourselves} (\all' en panti
sunistanontes heautous\). Paul gives a marvellous summary of his
argument about the dignity and glory of ministers of Christ as
{ministers of God} (\h•s theou diakonoi\) under three aspects,
the first with {in} (\en\) verses 3-7a, the second with {by}
(\dia\) verses 7b,8, the third with {as} (\h•s\) verses 9-10.
The negative view with \en\ we have in verse 3, then the
positive in verses 4-7a. Each word carries a story that can be
filled in from Paul's own life as a preacher with an echo in that
of us all. {In distresses} (\en stenoch•riais\). In tight places
(12:10). Late word from \stenoch•re•\ (see on 4:8).
6:5 {In stripes} (\en pl•gais\). In blows, wounds (Lu 10:30;
12:48; Ac 16:23,33). Our plague. {In tumults} (\en
akatastasiais\). See on 1Co 14:33). Instabilities, often from
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(2 Corinthians: Chapter 6)