2 Corinthians 4:5–7

tn Or “preach.”

tn Traditionally, “servants.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “ ‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times … in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

sn An allusion to Gen 1:3; see also Isa 9:2.

tn Grk “the light of the knowledge of the glory”; δόξης (doxēs) has been translated as an attributive genitive.

tc ‡ Most witnesses, including several early and important ones (𝔓46 א C H Ψ 0209 1739c 𝔐 sy), read Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Iēsou Christou, “Jesus Christ”), while other important witnesses, especially of the Western text (D F G 0243 630 1739* 1881 lat Ambst), have Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ. The reading with just Χριστοῦ is found in A B 33 {sa} Tert {Or Ath Chr}. Even though the witnesses for the shorter reading are not numerous, they are weighty. And in light of the natural scribal proclivity to fill out the text, particularly with reference to divine names, as well as the discrepancy among the witnesses as to the order of the names, the simple reading Χριστοῦ seems to be the best candidate for authenticity. NA27 reads Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ with Ἰησοῦ in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

tn Grk “the surpassingness of the power”; δυνάμεως (dunameōs) has been translated as an attributed genitive (“extraordinary power”).