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2 Corinthians 3

2 Cor. 3:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Do we begin
archomai (Greek #756)
to commence (in order of time)
KJV usage: (rehearse from the) begin(-ning).
Pronounce: ar'-khom-ahee
Origin: middle voice of 757 (through the implication, of precedence)
again
palin (Greek #3825)
(adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
KJV usage: again.
Pronounce: pal'-in
Origin: probably from the same as 3823 (through the idea of oscillatory repetition)
to commend
sunistao (Greek #4921)
to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute
KJV usage: approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with).
Pronounce: soon-is-tah'-o
Origin: συνιστάνω (soon-is-tan'-o), or συνίστημι (soon-is'-tay-mee) from 4862 and 2476 (including its collateral forms)
q ourselves
heautou (Greek #1438)
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV usage: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
Pronounce: heh-ow-too'
Origin: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846
? or
ei (Greek #1487)
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV usage: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.
Pronounce: i
Origin: a primary particle of conditionality
need we
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
chreizo (Greek #5535)
to make (i.e. have) necessity, i.e. be in want of
KJV usage: (have) need.
Pronounce: khrade'-zo
Origin: from 5532
, as
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
some
tis (Greek #5100)
some or any person or object
KJV usage: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
Pronounce: tis
Origin: an enclitic indefinite pronoun
others, epistles
epistole (Greek #1992)
a written message
KJV usage: "epistle," letter.
Pronounce: ep-is-tol-ay'
Origin: from 1989
s of commendation
sustatikos (Greek #4956)
introductory, i.e. recommendatory
KJV usage: of commendation.
Pronounce: soos-tat-ee-kos'
Origin: from a derivative of 4921
to
pros (Greek #4314)
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
KJV usage: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
Pronounce: pros
Origin: a strengthened form of 4253
you
humas (Greek #5209)
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
KJV usage: ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
Pronounce: hoo-mas'
Origin: accusative case of 5210
, or
e (Greek #2228)
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
KJV usage: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.
Pronounce: ay
Origin: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms
letters of
ek (Greek #1537)
or ἐξ (ex) a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV usage: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Pronounce: ek
commendation
sustatikos (Greek #4956)
introductory, i.e. recommendatory
KJV usage: of commendation.
Pronounce: soos-tat-ee-kos'
Origin: from a derivative of 4921
from you
humon (Greek #5216)
of (from or concerning) you
KJV usage: ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Pronounce: hoo-mone'
Origin: genitive case of 5210
?
q
2 Cor. 5:12• 12For we are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion to boast on our behalf, that ye may have [it] with those boasting in face and not in heart. (2 Cor. 5:12)
s
Acts 18:27• 27And when he was minded to go through into Achaia, the brethren wrote and urged the disciples to receive him; and he, on coming, contributed much to those that had believed through grace. (Acts 18:27)

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-5:  Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, he shows the faith and graces of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry.
6-11:  Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel,
12-18:  he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent, as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation.
begin.
2 Cor. 2:17• 17For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, before God, we speak in Christ. (2 Cor. 2:17)
;
2 Cor. 5:12• 12For we are not again commending ourselves to you, but giving you occasion to boast on our behalf, that ye may have [it] with those boasting in face and not in heart. (2 Cor. 5:12)
;
2 Cor. 10:8,12• 8For even if I should boast somewhat more abundantly of our authority which the Lord gave for building up and not for your overthrowing, I shall not be ashamed;
 12For we dare not class or compare ourselves with some of those that commend themselves; but they, measuring themselves among themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, are unintelligent. (2 Cor. 10:8,12)
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2 Cor. 12:11,19• 11I am become foolish, ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I behind those surpassing apostles if also I am nothing.
 19Ye long ago think that we excuse ourselves to you. Before God in Christ we speak, but all things, beloved, for your building up. (2 Cor. 12:11,19)
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1 Cor. 3:10• 10According to the grace of God that was given to me, as a wise architect I laid the foundation and another buildeth on [it]. But let each see how he buildeth on [it]. (1 Cor. 3:10)
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1 Cor. 4:15• 15for if ye should have ten thousand child-guides in Christ, yet not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus, through the gospel, I begot you. (1 Cor. 4:15)
;
1 Cor. 10:33• 33even as I too please all in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but that of the many, that they be saved. (1 Cor. 10:33)
epistles.
Acts 18:27• 27And when he was minded to go through into Achaia, the brethren wrote and urged the disciples to receive him; and he, on coming, contributed much to those that had believed through grace. (Acts 18:27)
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1 Cor. 16:3• 3And when I am arrived, whomsoever ye shall approve, them I will send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem: (1 Cor. 16:3)
• {letters of commendation} The aim of all such provisions is to afford adequate testimony to the assembly of God, which is in no way bound to a form however excellent, if wanting, provided perchance other means of godly satisfaction leave no reasonable hesitation to those who judge fairly and in love. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:1-6”)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or commendatory from you?

W. Kelly Translation

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Begin we again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some, recommendatory epistles unto you or from youa?

WK Translation Notes

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a
The addition of "commendatory" added at the end of the verse in the T. R. following most MSS. is rejected by the best witnesses.