This chapter 2 Corinthians 12 is a continuation of the same general subject which was discussed in the two previous chapters. The general design of the apostle is, to defend himself from the charges brought against him in Corinth, and especially, as it would appear, from the charge that he had no cl... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT EXPEDIENT - It is not well; it does not become me. This may either mean that he felt and admitted that it did not become him to boast in this manner; that there was an impropriety in his doing it though circumstances had compelled him, and in this sense it is understood by nearly, or quite... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNEW A MAN IN CHRIST - I was acquainted with a Christian; the phrase “in Christ” meaning nothing more than that he was united to Christ or was a Christian; see Romans 16:7. The reason why Paul did not speak of this directly as a vision which he had himself seen was probably that he was accused of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I KNEW SUCH A MAN - It is not uncommon to repeat a solemn affirmation in order that it may be made more emphatic. This is done here. Paul repeats the idea, that he was intimately acquainted with such a man, and that he did not know whether he was in the body or out of the body. All that was know... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO PARADISE - The word “paradise” (παράδεισος paradeisos) occurs but three times in the New Testament; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7. It occurs often in the Septuagint, as the translation of the word garden; Genesis 2:8, Genesis 2:15; Genesis 3:1, Genesis 3:8, [ Continue Reading ]
OF SUCH AN ONE WILL I GLORY - Of such a man it would be right to boast. It would be admitted that it is right to exult in such a man, and to esteem him to be uniquely favored by God. I will boast of him as having received special honor from the Lord. Bloomfield, however, supposes that the words rend... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH I WOULD DESIRE TO GLORY - I take this to be a solemn and serious declaration of the irony which precedes; and that Paul means to say seriously, that if he had a wish to boast as other people boasted, if he chose to make much of his attainments and privileges, he would have enough of which... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LEST I SHOULD BE EXALTED - Lest I should be spiritually proud; lest I should become self-confident and vain, and suppose that I was a special favorite of Heaven. If Paul was in danger of spiritual pride, who is not? If it was necessary for God to adopt some special measures to keep him humble, w... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS THING - On account of this; in order that this calamity might be removed. I BESOUGHT THE LORD - The word “Lord” in the New Testament, when it stands without any other word in connection to limit its signification, commonly denotes the Lord Jesus Christ; see the note on Acts 1:24. The follow... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO ME - The Saviour replied. In what way this was done, or whether it was done at the time when the prayer was offered, Paul does not inform us. It is possible, as Macknight supposes, that Christ appeared to him again and spoke to him in an audible manner. Grotius supposes that this wa... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE - Since so many benefits result from trials; since my afflictions are the occasion of obtaining the favor of Christ in so eminent a degree, I rejoice in the privilege of suffering. There is often real pleasure in affliction, paradoxical as it may appear. Some of the happies... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM BECOME A FOOL IN GLORYING - The meaning of this expression I take to be this. “I have been led along in speaking of myself until I admit I appear foolish in this kind of boasting. It is folly to do it, and I would not have entered on it unless I had been driven to it by my circumstances and the... [ Continue Reading ]
TRULY THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE - Such miracles as the acknowledged apostles worked. Such “signs” or evidences that they were divinely commissioned; see the Mark 16:17 note; Acts 2:22 note; Romans 15:19 note. WERE WROUGHT AMONG YOU - That is, by me; see the note, 1 Corinthians 9:2. IN ALL PATIENCE -... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHAT IS IT ... - This verse contains a striking mixture of sarcasm and irony, not exceeded, says Bloomfield, by any example in Demosthenes. the sense is,” I have given among you the most ample proof of my apostolic commission. I have conferred on you the highest favors of the apostolic office. I... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE THIRD TIME I AM READY TO COME TO YOU - That is, this is the third time that I have purposed to come and see you, and have made preparation for it. He does not mean that he had been twice with them and was now coming the third time, but that he had twice before intended to go and had been... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL VERY GLADLY SPEND - I am willing to spend my strength, and time, and life, and all that I have, for your welfare, as a father cheerfully does for his children. Any expense which may be necessary to promote your salvation I am willing to submit to. The labor of a father for his children is... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BE IT SO - This is evidently a charge of his enemies; or at least a charge which it might be supposed they would make. Whether they ever in fact made it, or whether the apostle merely anticipates an objection, it is impossible to determine. It is clearly to be regarded as the language of objecto... [ Continue Reading ]
DID I MAKE A GAIN ... - In refuting this slander, Paul appeals boldly to the facts, and to what they knew. “Same the man,” says he, “who has thus defrauded you under my instructions. If the charge is well-founded, let him be specified, and let the mode in which it was done be distinctly stated.” The... [ Continue Reading ]
I DESIRED TITUS - To go and complete the collection which you had commenced; see 2 Corinthians 8:6. AND WITH HIM I SENT A BROTHER - see note on 2 Corinthians 8:18. DID TITUS MAKE A GAIN OF YOU - They knew that he did not. They had received him kindly, treated him with affection, and sent him away... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN, THINK YE THAT WE EXCUSE OURSELVES UNTO YOU? - see the note on 2 Corinthians 5:12. The sense is, Do not suppose that this is said from mere anxiety to obtain your favor, or to ingratiate ourselves into your esteem. This is said doubtless to keep himself from the suspicion of being actuated by... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I FEAR, LEST, WHEN I COME - see 2 Corinthians 12:14. I SHALL NOT FIND YOU SUCH AS I WOULD - That is, walking in the truth and order of the gospel. He had feared that the disorders would not be removed, and that they would not have corrected the errors which prevailed, and for which he had rebuk... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LEST, WHEN I COME AGAIN, MY GOD WILL HUMBLE ME ... - Lest I should be compelled to inflict punishment on those whom I suppose to have been converted under my ministry. I had rejoiced in them as true converts: I had counted them as among the fruit of my ministry. Now to be compelled to inflict pu... [ Continue Reading ]