2 Coríntios 12
A.T. Robertson · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 12
Robertson - With graphic pen pictures Paul describes what had been going on against him during his long absence.
2 Coríntios 12:9
Robertson puts it "Christ's grace suffices and abides." Notice also that arkeo is at the head of the sentence for added emphasis and thus literally reads "Sufficient for you my grace". This clearly places emphasis on the words sufficient for you. Note also that Christ says His grace IS sufficient for you, which means that we don't have to ask Him to make His grace sufficient. It already IS! Wuest defines arkeo as "to be possessed of unfailing strength, to suffice, to be enough (as against any danger), hence, "to defend, ward off. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Vine summarizes arkeo writing that it "primarily signifies "to be sufficient, to be possessed of sufficient strength, to be strong, to be enough for a thing"; hence, "to defend, ward off"; in the middle voice, "to be satisfied, contented with," Luke 3:14, with wages; 1Ti 6:8, with food and raiment; Heb 13:5-note, with "such things as ye have"; negatively of Diotrephes, in 3Jn 10, "not content therewith." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words) NIDNTT has this note on the Greek words used to convey the meaning of suffice or satisfy... The words dealt with here reflect the fact that reality hardly ever tallies with men's expectations, that goals are set but not achieved, or that given conditions are felt to be unacceptable. That which does comply with the norm or does meet men's requirements is described by the adjective hikanos (see word study), either in an ethical sense (worth, worthy, competent) or a material sense (enough, sufficient). However, where the idea is not that of meeting a given standard but of acknowledging its rightness, this is expressed by words of the arkeo group (see study of related word autarkes = self sufficient, Php 4:11-note). The thought here is of remaining within certain bounds, the latter being either inherent in a given situation, or self-imposed, or seen as God given. There is a close affinity here with words dealt with under humility. In the moral philosophy of Stoicism the ability to be content (arkeisthai) became the essence of all the virtues. So the Stoic Diogenes Laertius speaks of Socrates as being autarkes kai semnos, contented and devout. To practise the virtue of contentment was to acquiesce wisely in that which suited one's own nature or one's daimon; becoming independent of things, a man relied upon himself or-as others taught-submitted to the lot meted out to him by the gods (Diogenes Laertius, 2, 24; Epictetus, Dissertationes 1, 1, 12 f.). To have no needs was the ideal of Stoicism. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) Richards - The root word arkeo means "to be enough," "to be sufficient." At times the NT shifts the emphasis. It is not simply that something is in sufficient supply. It is that we have an attitude that lets us be satisfied with whatever is available. Paul sums it up in 1 Ti 6:6-8: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) Arkeo - 8x in the NT - The NAS renders arkeo as content(3), enough(2), satisfied(1), sufficient(2). Matthew 25:9 "But the prudent answered, saying, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' Luke 3:14 And some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content (present imperative) with your wages (rations)." John 6:7 Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little." (When God provides it's always enough, but it can only be seen and/or received with eyes of faith!) John 14:8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough (enough to assuage their anxiety) for us." 2Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 1Timothy 6:8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. Hebrews 13:5-note Let your character be free from the love of money, being content (present tense - used with an imperative sense in context) with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,"
2 Coríntios 12:9
Robertson explains that Paul is saying "Rather than ask any more (thrice already) for the removal of the thorn or splinter most gladly will I glory in my weaknesses. Slowly Paul had learned this supreme lesson, but it will never leave him (Ro 5:2; 2Ti 4:6, 7, 8). As
2 Coríntios 12:9
Robertson says that that episkenoo means "to fix a tent upon, here upon Paul himself by a bold metaphor, as if the Shekinah of the Lord was overshadowing him (cf. Lk 9:34), the power (Dunamis) of the Lord Jesus. Albert