KJV: I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
YLT: not according to command do I speak, but because of the diligence of others, and of your love proving the genuineness,
Darby: I do not speak as commanding it, but through the zeal of others, and proving the genuineness of your love.
ASV: I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
ἐπιταγὴν | a command |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: ἐπιταγή Sense: an injunction, mandate, command. |
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λέγω | do I speak |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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διὰ | through |
Parse: Preposition Root: διά Sense: through. |
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ἑτέρων | of others |
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ἀλλοιόω Sense: the other, another, other. |
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σπουδῆς | earnestness |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: σπουδή Sense: haste, with haste. |
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καὶ | also |
Parse: Conjunction Root: καί Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but. |
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τῆς | - |
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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ὑμετέρας | of your |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 2nd Person Plural Root: ὑμέτερος Sense: you, yours. |
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ἀγάπης | love |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ἀγάπη Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence. |
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γνήσιον | genuineness |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: γνήσιος Sense: legitimately born, not spurious. |
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δοκιμάζων | proving |
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: δοκιμάζω Sense: to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals. |
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 8:8
Testing and so proving. [source]
Old adjective, contraction of γενεσιος genesios (γινομαι ginomai), legitimately born, not spurious. A collection is a test of one‘s love for Christ, not the only test, but a real one. [source]
Used by Paul only. Contracted from γενήσιος legitimatelyborn: hence genuine. Paul calls Timothy his lawful son in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). The kindred adverb γνησίως sincerely(A.V. naturally ), occurs once, Philemon 2:20. See note. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 8:8
See on Judges 1:3. In Mark 6:25; Luke 1:39, it is rendered haste. In 2 Corinthians 7:11, carefulness (Rev., earnest care ). In 2 Corinthians 7:12, care (Rev., earnest care ). In 2 Corinthians 8:8, forwardness (Rev., earnestness ). In 2 Corinthians 8:16, earnest care. [source]
Here the construction changes and no longer do we have the accusative case like διακονιαν diakonian (general word for Christian service of all kinds including ministers and deacons) as the object of εχοντες echontes but the nominative articular participle. A new verb must be supplied of which ο διδασκων ho didaskōn is the subject as with the succeeding participles through Romans 12:8. Perhaps in each instance the verb is to be repeated from the participle like διδασκετω didasketō here (let him teach) or a general term ποιειτω poieitō (let him do it) can be used for all of them as seems necessary before “with liberality” in Romans 12:8 He that ruleth (ο προισταμενος ho proistamenos). “The one standing in front” for which see note on 1 Thessalonians 5:12. With diligence “In haste” as if in earnest (Mark 6:25; 2 Corinthians 7:11., 2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 8:16), from σπευδω speudō to hasten. Again Romans 12:11. With cheerfulness (εν ιλαροτητι en hilarotēti). Late word, only here in N.T., from ιλαρος hilaros (2 Corinthians 9:7) cheerful, hilarious. [source]
“In haste” as if in earnest (Mark 6:25; 2 Corinthians 7:11., 2 Corinthians 8:8, 2 Corinthians 8:16), from σπευδω speudō to hasten. Again Romans 12:11. With cheerfulness (εν ιλαροτητι en hilarotēti). Late word, only here in N.T., from ιλαρος hilaros (2 Corinthians 9:7) cheerful, hilarious. [source]
Rev., truly. The adverb only here in the New Testament. The kindred adjective γνήσιος trueown, occurs 1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; 2 Corinthians 8:8(see note). [source]
More correctly, “my true child in faith.” Comp. Titus 1:4. With these two exceptions, τέκνον or υἱός ἐν πίστει does not occur in N.T. Ἑν πίστει or τῇ πίστει is not come on Paul; see 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 2:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:13. In the Pastorals, nine times. In Paul joined with ζῇν tolive, εἶναι tobe, στήκειν tostand, βεβαιοῦσθαι tobe established. For γνήσιος truesee 2 Corinthians 8:8; Philemon 2:20; Philemon 4:3. It means natural by birth-relation, therefore true or genuine. [source]
The phrase in Romans 16:26. Κατ ' ἐπιταγὴν absolutely, by commandment, 1 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 8:8. Paul uses διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ bythe will of God. See 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1. Comp. 2 Timothy 1:1. [source]
A late Koiné{[28928]}š word (Polybius, Diodorus), but a Pauline word also in N.T. This very idiom (“by way of command”) in 1 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 8:8; Romans 16:26; 1 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:3. Paul means to say that he is an apostle under orders. [source]
Legitimate, not spurious. Old word from γινομαι ginomai but Pauline only in N.T. (Philemon 4:3; 2 Corinthians 8:8; Titus 1:4). In Philemon 2:20 the adverb γνησιως gnēsiōs occurs and of Timothy again. [source]
See note on 1 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 8:8. Assertion of authority is sometimes necessary. [source]
The whole Gospel. All reality is in God. He is the only true God ( ἀληθινός John 17:3; see on John 1:9). This reality is incarnated in Christ, the Word of God, “the very image of His substance,” and in His message to men. This message is the truth, a title not found in the Synoptists, Acts, or Revelation, but in the Catholic Epistles (James 5:19; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 2:2), and in Paul (2 Corinthians 8:8; Ephesians 1:13, etc.). It is especially characteristic of the Gospel and Epistles of John. The truth is represented by John objectively and subjectively. 1. Objectively. In the person of Christ. He is the Truth, the perfect revelation of God (John 1:18; John 14:6). His manhood is true to the absolute law of right, which is the law of love, and is, therefore, our perfect pattern of manhood. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Truth, absolutely existing in and identified with God, was also, in some measure, diffused in the world. The Word was in the world, before as after the incarnation (John 1:10. See on John 1:4, John 1:5). Christ often treats the truth as something to which He came to bear witness, and which it was His mission to develop into clearer recognition and expression (John 18:37). This He did through the embodiment of truth in His own person (John 1:14, John 1:17; John 14:6), and by His teaching (John 8:40; John 17:17); and His work is carried out by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), sent by God and by Christ himself (John 14:26; John 16:7). Hence the Spirit, even as Christ, is the Truth (1 John 5:6). The whole sum of the knowledge of Christ and of the Spirit, is the Truth (1 John 2:21; 2 John 1:1). This truth can be recognized, apprehended, and appropriated by man, and can be also rejected by him (John 8:32; 1 John 2:21; John 8:44). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. Subjectively. The truth is lodged in man by the Spirit, and communicated to his spirit (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). It dwells in man (1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:4; 2 John 1:2), as revelation, comfort, guidance, enlightenment, conviction, impulse, inspiration, knowledge. It is the spirit of truth as opposed to the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). It translates itself into act. God's true children do the truth (John 3:21; 1 John 1:6). It brings sanctification and freedom (John 8:32; John 17:17). See on John 14:6, John 14:17. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]