Translation commentary on 2 Corinthians 7:11

In this verse Paul lists several nouns that involve strong emotions. The nouns appear as a disconnected list, yet every one of them is related to events in the experience of the Corinthians that Titus had reported to Paul (see verses 6 and 7).

The style of this verse in Greek is difficult to capture in translation. A more literal translation than Revised Standard Version may express something of the force and style of the first sentence of verse 11: “For behold this very being made sorrowful by God how great an earnestness it has produced in you—not only that but also eagerness to defend yourselves, not only that but also such indignation, not only that but also such alarm, not only that but such longing, not only that but such zeal, not only that but such punishment!”

For see …: the word translated see is the same one rendered “behold” in 5.17 and 6.2, 9. It is used here to highlight the fact that God used remorse to bring about positive change. The receptor language may have a very different way of focusing on an important notion such as this. But translators should look for the most natural way of doing this.

Earnestness: this noun is rendered by Knox as “devotion.” Anchor Bible speaks of “your concern [to defend yourselves].” The same word is translated “zeal” in Rom 12.8 and 11. It involves enthusiasm and intensity in carrying out any activity. In this context the enthusiasm is for self defense.

The terms in this verse should be understood against the background of 2.1-11. Eagerness to clear yourselves: literally “defense.” The context indicates that the sense is “eagerness to clear themselves of siding with the offender against Paul”. Indeed, they showed indignation, anger, at what the offender had done.

The word alarm is the word usually translated as “fear.” They took very seriously the problem caused by the offender.

On longing and zeal, see comments on 7.7.

The Greek does not state what the object of their longing was, nor does Good News Translation. The object is probably “Paul,” that is, their desire to see him again. Revised English Bible reads “your longing for me,” while Phillips has “you long for my presence.”

The noun punishment carries an implicit subject and object. Who punished whom? Good News Translation states the object to be “wrongdoing.” If, as seems probable, Paul is thinking of the situation discussed in 2.1-11, the one to be punished may be the “wrongdoer” (see 7.12). Revised English Bible says “your eagerness to see justice done!” Indeed Revised Standard Version, what punishment, probably gives a false impression that Paul enjoyed hearing about the kind of punishment that the church exercised.

At every point: literally “in all” as in verse 5 above. Good News Translation attempts to convey this, using the word “whole” in describing the matter. It is also possible to translate “in every way” (Moffatt, New Jerusalem Bible, and Translator’s New Testament).

If Paul is writing about the situation mentioned in 2.1-11, then the matter refers to that incident. However, the matter is probably left vague by Paul because he wants to forget about the case and move on to more important matters.

It may be difficult in some languages to find adequate synonyms for the string of nouns which Paul uses in this verse. In some languages they will have to be translated by a series of verbal expressions such as “it made you very serious. It made you want to prove that you were not wrong. It made you angry and afraid. It made you want to see me. It made you care. It made you want the right thing to be done” (New Century Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

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