HIS PRIVILEGES AND TRIALS The Apostle unwillingly resumes his boasting and tells of a revelation he received from God; but returns again to dwell on his weaknesses, and especially on his bodily infirmity, through which Christ's grace was manifested. PARAPHRASE. '(1) It is not expedient for me to b... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT EXPEDIENT, etc.] RV 'I must needs glory though it is not expedient'; i.e. in self-defence.... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNEW (RV 'know') a man] St. Paul is speaking of himself, of course, as 2 Corinthians 12:7 shows. IN CHRIST] so much devoted to Christ and under His influence, that Christ completely dominated him and, as it were, lived in him. WHETHER IN THE BODY.. OUT OF THE BODY] The Apostle was in a trance or e... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I KNEW] repetition of 2 Corinthians 12:2 for emphasis.... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO PARADISE] Paradise is used as a synonym for the third heaven of 2 Corinthians 12:2. The word is used in the NT. for the abode of the blessed after death: cp. Luke 23:43; Revelation 2:7. LAWFUL] better, 'possible.' 5, 6. PARAPHRASE. 'I can boast of these experiences, for they were due to no lab... [ Continue Reading ]
OF SUCH AN ONE] He can boast of these experiences because they do not glorify him as an individual. OF MYSELF] He will not boast, as he might, of what he has done.... [ Continue Reading ]
A THORN IN THE FLESH] some extremely painful bodily disease whose symptoms recurred at intervals. Some, like Lightfoot, suggest epilepsy; others, like Farrar, ophthalmia; and Ramsay holds that it was malarial fever: cp. Galatians 4:13. THE MESSENGER OF SATAN] RV 'a messenger of Satan.' For the idea,... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'And lest I should be uplifted by spiritual pride as the result of these revelations, a painful bodily weakness—the very work of Satan—was inflicted upon me. (8) I prayed earnestly for the removal of this affliction; (9) but the Lord answered me saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD] Christ, as 2 Corinthians 12:9 shows. THRICE] He probably made this 'thorn' the subject of earnest prayer on three special occasions: cp. Matthew 26:44.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY GRACE, etc.] 'It is enough for thee that thou hast my grace; my power makes itself felt when there is no other support' (Stevens). For the thought, cp. Luke 22:43; Psalms 20:6; Psalms 138:3. The best answer to prayer is the consciousness of the support of the unseen HAND. REST UPON] RV 'cover.' 1... [ Continue Reading ]
I OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN COMMENDED] Instead of listening to his detractors they should have vigorously defended him. THOUGH I BE NOTHING] i.e. as my enemies say.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIGNS, AND WONDERS, AND MIGHTY DEEDS] miracles in various aspects. That St. Paul claimed to have wrought miracles is evident also from Romans 15:18 : cp. Galatians 3:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
FORGIVE ME] The verse is ironical.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD TIME] His former visits were (1) the visit recorded in Acts 18, when he founded the Church, and (2) the short visit 'in sorrow,' not mentioned in Acts, but referred to in Acts 2:1 : see Intro. 1 (_c_). I WILL NOT BE BURDENSOME] see on 2 Corinthians 11:7. NOT YOURS, BUT YOU] cp. 2 Corinthia... [ Continue Reading ]
PARAPHRASE. 'I am now about to pay you a third visit, and, as on former occasions, I shall accept nothing for my support. It is not your possessions but your very selves that I want; for you are my spiritual children, and it is not customary for children to lay by wealth for their parents, but rathe... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH THE MORE ABUNDANTLY I LOVE YOU, THE LESS I BE LOVED] RV 'If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?'... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BE IT SO] He now meets another insinuation: this one is disposed of.... [ Continue Reading ]
I DESIRED (RV 'exhorted') TITUS] This visit of Titus must have been made at an earlier period than that referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:13 and 2 Corinthians 7:6 and that intimated in 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:17 as about to be made. There were evidently three visits of Titus to Corinth: (1)... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN, THINK YE] RV 'Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves,' i.e. pleading our cause. IN CHRIST] as inspired by Christ's Spirit through living in union with him. FOR YOUR EDIFYING] He seeks not their favourable verdict, but their growth in goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I COME AGAIN] The 'again' should be joined with the next clause, 'God will again humble me.' He had been humbled at his last visit—the visit 'in heaviness' referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:1.... [ Continue Reading ]