partly indicate the different concrete expressions of God’s mercy (cf. BDF §142), but more likely reflects the Hebrew plural רַחֲמִים (as in 2 Sam 24:14; 1 Chron 21:13; Pss 25:6; 40:11; 51:1; etc.; Isa 63:15; Dan 2:18; 9:9, 18; Hos 2:19; so in Paul’s other usage—2 Cor 1:3 and Phil 2:1; singular, Col 3:12; see also Lietzmann). The emphasis on divine mercy confirms the connection of thought with the preceding section (11:30–32; e.g., Gaugler, Leenhardt), despite the different Greek words used (in the
Page 709