KJV: Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
YLT: no great thing, then, if also his ministrants do transform themselves as ministrants of righteousness -- whose end shall be according to their works.
Darby: It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
ASV: It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.
οὐ | [It is] not |
Parse: Adverb Root: οὐ Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer. |
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μέγα | surprising |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: μέγας Sense: great. |
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καὶ | also |
Parse: Conjunction Root: καί Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but. |
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διάκονοι | servants |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: διάκονος Sense: one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister. |
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αὐτοῦ | of him |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
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μετασχηματίζονται | masquerade |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural Root: μετασχηματίζω Sense: to change the figure of, to transform. |
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δικαιοσύνης | of righteousness |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: δικαιοσύνη Sense: in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God. |
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ὧν | whose |
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ὅς Sense: who, which, what, that. |
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τὸ | - |
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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τέλος | end |
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: τέλος Sense: end. |
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ἔσται | will be |
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
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κατὰ | according to |
Parse: Preposition Root: κατά Sense: down from, through out. |
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ἔργα | deeds |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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αὐτῶν | of them |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Root: αὐτός Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself. |
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:15
Jesus (John 10:1-21) terms these false shepherds thieves and robbers. It is a tragedy to see men in the livery of heaven serve the devil. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:15
μετά , denoting change or transfer, and μορφή , form. This latter word denotes the form regarded as the distinctive nature and character of the object, and is distinguished from σχῆμα , the changeable, outward fashion: in a man, for instance, his gestures, clothes, words, acts. The μορφή partakes of the essence of a thing; the σχῆμα is an accident which may change, leaving the form unaffected. Compare Mark 16:12; Christ “appeared in another form ” ( μορφή )and 1 Corinthians 7:31: “the fashion ( σχῆμα ) of the world passeth away.” The distinction passes into the verbs compounded with these two nouns. Thus, Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world,” is μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε ;i.e., be not fashioned according to the fleetingfashion of this world. So Rev.,fashioned. See, also, 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15, where the changes described are changes in outward semblance. False apostles appeared in the outward fashion of apostles of Christ; Satan takes on the outward appearance of an angel. All these changes are in the accidents of the life, and do not touch its inner, essential quality. On the other hand, a change in the inner life is described as a change of μορθή , never of σχῆμα . Hence, Romans 12:2, “Be ye transformed ( μεταμορφοῦσθε )the change taking place by the renewing of the mind. Compare Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philemon 3:21; and see, further, on Philemon 2:6, Philemon 2:7. Why, then, it may be asked, is a compound of μορφή employed in this description of the transfigured Saviour, since the change described is a change in his outward appearance? It may be answered, because a compound of σχῆμα , expressing merely a change in the aspect of Christ's person and garments, would not express the deeper truth of the case, which is, that the visible change gets its real character and meaning from that which is essential in our Lord - his divine nature. A fore-shadowing or prophecy of his true form - his distinctive character - comes out in his transfiguration. He passes over into a form identified, so far as revealed, with the divine quality of his being, and prophetic of his revelation “as he is” (1 John 3:2), in the glory which he had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5). In truth, there is a deep and pregnant hint in the use of this word, which easily escapes observation, and which defies accurate definition. The profound and overwhelming impression upon the three disciples was due to something besides the shining of Christ's face and garments, and the presence of Moses and Elijah; and was deeper and subtler than the effect of all these combined. There was a fact and a power in that vision which mere radiance and the appearance of the dead patriarchs could not wholly convey: a revelation of Deity breaking out in that glorified face and form, which appealed to something deeper than sense, and confirmed the words from heaven: This is my beloved Son. The same truth is illustrated in the use of μορφή in Mark 16:12, where it is said that Jesus appeared in a different form ( ἐν ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ ) after his resurrection. The accidents of figure, face, pierced hands and feet, were the same; but an indefinable change had passed upon him, the characteristic of which was that it prefigured his passing into the condition peculiar and appropriate to his essential spiritual and divine being. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
Old word from δολος dolos (lure, snare), only here in N.T. (cf. Romans 16:18). Fashioning themselves (μετασχηματιζομενοι metaschēmatizomenoi). Present middle (direct) participle of the old verb μετασχηματιζω metaschēmatizō for which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:6. Masquerading as apostles of Christ by putting on the outward habiliments, posing as ministers of Christ (“gentlemen of the cloth,” nothing but cloth). Paul plays with this verb in 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15. [source]
Present middle (direct) participle of the old verb μετασχηματιζω metaschēmatizō for which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:6. Masquerading as apostles of Christ by putting on the outward habiliments, posing as ministers of Christ (“gentlemen of the cloth,” nothing but cloth). Paul plays with this verb in 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15. [source]
No copula, but makes the figure bolder. Paul freely admits the glory for the old dispensation. Of righteousness (της δικαιοσυνης tēs dikaiosunēs). Marked by and leading to righteousness. See note on 2 Corinthians 11:15. Much more Instrumental case, by much more. Exceed (περισσευει perisseuei). Overflow. [source]
Marked by and leading to righteousness. See note on 2 Corinthians 11:15. [source]
Or believing, as Acts 16:1; 2 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Timothy 5:16. Those who are of the faith are one in blessing with him whose characteristic was faith. [source]
See on Matthew 20:26; see on Mark 9:35. Not in the official sense of deacon which occurs only in the Pastorals. Διάκονος ministerand διακονία ministryor service are common expressions of service to Christ or to men. Paul habitually uses them in this way. See Acts 1:25; Acts 6:4. Διάκονοι is used of ministers of Satan, 2 Corinthians 11:15, and διάκονος of the civil magistrate, Romans 13:4. See Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles. [source]
The office of Deacon appears in the Pastorals, but not in Paul's letters, with the single exception of Philemon 1:1, where the Deacons do not represent an ecclesiastical office, though they remark an advance toward it. Clement of Rome (ad Corinth. xlii., xliv.) asserts their apostolic appointment. But the evidence at our command does not bear out the view that the institution of the diaconate is described in Acts 6:1-6. The terms διάκονος and διακονία are, in the Pauline writings, common expressions of servants and service either to Christ or to others. Paul applies these terms to his own ministry and to that of his associates. Διακονία is used of the service of the apostles, Acts 1:25; Acts 6:4. Διάκονος is used of Paul and Apollos (1 Corinthians 3:5); of Christ (Galatians 2:17; Romans 15:8); of the civil ruler (Romans 13:4); of ministers of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:15). The appointment of the seven grew out of a special emergency, and was made for a particular service; and the resemblance is not close between the duties and qualifications of deacons in the Pastorals and those of the seven. The word διάκονος does not appear in Acts; and when Paul and Barnabas brought to Jerusalem the collection for the poor saints, they handed it over to the elders. [source]
Better, the consummation. It is more than mere termination. It is the point into which the whole life of faith finally gathers itself up. See Romans 6:21; 2 Corinthians 11:15; Philemon 3:19; Hebrews 6:8; 1 Peter 1:9. [source]