SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:1
¶ Por lo cual teniendo nosotros este ministerio según la misericordia que hemos alcanzado, no faltamos;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 4:1
Verse 1. Seeing we have this ministry] The Gospel, of which he gave that noble account which we read in the preceding chapter. We faint not] We meet with many tribulations, but are supported in and through all by the grace of the Gospel. Instead of ouk ekkakoumen, we faint not, ouk egkakoumen, we act not wickedly, is the reading of ADFG, and some others. Wakefield thinks it the genuine reading; it certainly makes a very good sense with what goes before and what follows. If we follow this reading the whole verse may be read thus: Wherefore, as we have obtained mercy, or been graciously intrusted, hlehqhmhn, with this ministry, we do not act wickedly, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Therefore seeing we have this ministry , etc..] The apostle having largely insisted on the difference between the law and the Gospel, the ministration of the one and of the other, proceeds to give an account of his own conduct, and that of his fellow apostles and ministers: “we”, says he, “faint not”; under all the reproaches cast upon us, persecutions raised against us, and tribulations that attend us; we do not sink in our spirits, or give out from the ministry; we go on cheerfully in our work, in the thee of all opposition, encouraged by the consideration of the excellency of the ministry, which they had from the Lord, were put into, and continued in; which was so valuable in itself, and so useful in its effects; being the ministration of the Spirit and of righteousness, having in it such an excelling glory to the law, and attended with so much light and liberty: to which he adds the consideration of the mercy of God they were partakers of, as we have received mercy ; which may refer either to the grace and mercy of God, which they had received in conversion; a sense of which abiding upon them, so influenced their minds, to hold forth the riches of abounding grace and mercy to poor sinners in the Gospel, that nothing could deter them from it; or to the grace, favour, and good will of God, in making, supporting, and continuing them as ministers of the word; all which, they were sensible, was owing not to men, but God; not to their merit, but to his mercy; not to their worthiness, parts, learning, etc.. but to his free gift, favour, and grace, by which only they were what they were, as preachers of the Gospel.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The best of men would faint, if they did not receive mercy from God And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. The apostles had no base an wicked designs, covered with fair and specious pretences. They did no try to make their ministry serve a turn. Sincerity or uprightness wil keep the favourable opinion of wise and good men. Christ by his gospe makes a glorious discovery to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is, to keep men in ignorance; and when he cannot keep the ligh of the gospel of Christ out of the world, he spares no pains to kee men from the gospel, or to set them against it. The rejection of the gospel is here traced to the wilful blindness and wickedness of the human heart. Self was not the matter or the end of the apostles preaching; they preached Christ as Jesus, the Saviour and Deliverer who saves to the uttermost all that come to God through him. Minister are servants to the souls of men; they must avoid becoming servants to the humours or the lusts of men. It is pleasant to behold the sun in the firmament; but it is more pleasant and profitable for the gospel to shine in the heart. As light was the beginning of the first creation so, in the new creation, the light of the Spirit is his first work upo the soul. The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthe vessels. The ministers of the gospel are subject to the same passion and weaknesses as other men. God could have sent angels to make know the glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent the mos admired sons of men to teach the nations, but he chose humbler, weake vessels, that his power might be more glorified in upholding them, an in the blessed change wrought by their ministry.
Greek Textus Receptus
δια 1223 PREP τουτο 5124 D-ASN εχοντες 2192 5723 V-PAP-NPM την 3588 T-ASF διακονιαν 1248 N-ASF ταυτην 3778 D-ASF καθως 2531 ADV ηλεηθημεν 1653 5681 V-API-1P ουκ 3756 PRT-N εκκακουμεν 1573 5719 V-PAI-1P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. As we have received mercy. Construe with we have this ministry. Having this ministry as a gift of divine mercy. Compare 1 Corinthians vii. 25. Bengel says: "The mercy of God, by which the ministry is received, makes us earnest and sincere."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:1 {We faint not} (ouk egkakoumen). Present active indicative of egkakew, late verb (en, kakos) to behave badly in, to give in to evil, to lose courage. In Symmachus (LXX), Polybius, and papyri. It is the faint-hearted coward. Paul speaks of himself (literary plural). Can he not speak for all of us?
