OM SAMEN TE STERVEN EN SAMEN TE LEVEN

Abstract

SUMMARY Five questions can be raised in connection with the expression “in order to die together and to live together” in 2 Cor. 7,3. Is the subject of the infinitives “you” or “we” or both together? Should we understand the SMM-elements in these two infinitives as meaning “together”, or must we suply (with) “Christ”? How is the unusual sequence (first to die!) of the infinitives to be explained? Why is there a change of tense: from aorist to present? And what kind of death and life is referred to? The expression is the equivalent of a purpose (or consecutive) clause. Both the context 6,11–13 and 7,2–4 and the fact that the infinitives have no object point in favor of the assumption that “we and you (together)” is the subject. No object need be supplied here, neither “us” nor “you”, but also not “Christ” (against G. Stahlin). The expression goes back to the language of love, friendship and service. As such, it certainly emphasizes the reality and intensity of Paul's love for the Corinthians. But Paul has ...