{For it were good for me to die, than that any man should
make my glorying void} (kalon gar moi mallon apothanein (8820)to
kauch(886d)a mou oudeis ken(9373)ei). The tangled syntax of this
sentence reflects the intensity of Paul's feeling on the subject.
He repeats his refusal to use his privileges and rights to a
salary by use of the present perfect middle indicative
(kechr(886d)ai). By the epistolary aorist (egrapsa) he explains
that he is not now hinting for a change on their part towards him
in the matter, "in my case" (en emoi). Then he gives his reason
in vigorous language without a copula ((886e), were): "For good for
me to die rather than," but here he changes the construction by a
violent anacoluthon. Instead of another infinitive (ken(9373)ai)
after (885c) (than) he changes to the future indicative without
hoti or hina, "No one shall make my glorying void," viz., his
independence of help from them. Keno(935c) is an old verb, from
kenos, empty, only in Paul in N.T. See on 氣Co 1:17|.