CHAPTER XII. _St. Paul mentions some wonderful revelations which he had_ _received from the Lord_, 1-5. _He speaks of his suffering in connection with these_ _extraordinary revelations, that his character might be_ _duly estimated_, 6. _That he might not be too much exalted, a messenger of Sat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:2. _I KNEW A MAN IN CHRIST_] I knew a Christian, or a Christian man; for to such alone God now revealed himself, for vision and prophecy had been shut up from the Jews. _FOURTEEN YEARS AGO_] On what occasion or in what place this transaction took place we cannot tell; there... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:4. _CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE_] The Jewish writers have no less than _four paradises_, as they have _seven_ heavens; but it is needless to wade through their fables. On the word _paradise_ Genesis 2:8. The Mohammedans call it [Arabic] _jennet alferdoos_, the garden of paradise,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:5. _OF SUCH A ONE WILL I GLORY_] Through modesty he does not mention _himself_, though the account can be understood of no other person; for, did he mean any other, the whole account would be completely irrelevant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:6. _I SHALL NOT BE A FOOL_] Who that had got such honour from God would have been fourteen years silent on the subject? _I WILL SAY THE TRUTH_] I speak nothing but truth; and the apostle seems to have intended to proceed with something else of the same kind, but, finding some... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:7. _AND LEST I SHOULD BE EXALTED_] There were three evils to be guarded against: 1. The _contempt_ of his gifts and call by his _enemies_. 2. The _overweening fondness_ of his _friends_. And, 3. _Self-exultation_. _A THORN IN THE FLESH_] The word σκολοψ signifies a _stake... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:8. _I BESOUGHT THE LORD_] That is, _Christ_, as the next verse absolutely proves, and the Socinians themselves confess. And if Christ be an object of prayer in such a case as this, or indeed in any case, it is a sure proof of his _divinity_; for only an omniscient Being can be... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:9. _MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE_] Thou shalt not be permitted to sink under these afflictions. Thy enemies shall not be able to prevail against thee. _MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS._] The more, and the more _violently_, thou art afflicted and tried, being upheld... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:10. _THEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE_] I not only _endure_ them _patiently_, but am _pleased_ when they occur; for I do it _for_ _Christ's sake_-on his account; for on his account I suffer. _For_ _when I am weak_-most oppressed with trials and afflictions, _then am_ _I strong_; God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:11. _I AM BECOME A FOOL IN GLORYING_] It is not the part of a _wise_ or _gracious_ man to _boast_; but _ye have compelled_ _me_-I have been obliged to do it, in order to vindicate the cause of God. _I OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN COMMENDED OF YOU_] You should have vindicated both mysel... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:12. _THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE WERE WROUGHT AMONG YOU_] Though I have been reputed as _nothing_, I have given the fullest proof of my _Divine mission_ by various signs, wonders, and miracles, and by that _patience_ which I have manifested towards you: though I had power from God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:13. _FOR WHAT IS IT WHEREIN YOU WERE INFERIOR_] This is a fine, forcible, yet delicate _stroke_. It was _your_ duty and your interest to have supported your apostle; other Churches have done so: I did not require this from you; in this respect all other Churches are _superior_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _THE THIRD TIME I AM READY_] That is, this is the third time that _I am ready_-have formed the _resolution_, to visit you. He had formed this resolution _twice_ before, but was disappointed. See 1 Corinthians 16:5, and 2 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 1:16. He now formed it a _third time_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _AND I WILL VERY GLADLY SPEND AND BE SPENT FOR YOU_] I will continue to act as a loving father, who spends all he has upon his children, and expends his own strength and life in providing for them the things necessary for their preservation and comfort. _THOUGH THE MORE ABUNDANTLY I LOVE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _BUT BE IT SO, I DID NOT BURDEN YOU_] That is: You grant that I did not burden you, that I took nothing from you, but preached to you the Gospel freely; but you say that, BEING CRAFTY, _I caught you with guile_; i.e. getting from you, by means of _others_, what I pretended to be unwilling... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _DID I MAKE A GAIN OF YOU_] Did any person I ever sent to preach the Gospel to you, or help you in your Christian course, ever get any thing from you for me? Produce the proof if you can.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _I DESIRED TITUS_] I never sent any to you but _Titus_ and _another brother_; 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:18. And did _Titus make a gain of you_? Did he get any thing from you, either for _himself_ or for _me_? You know he did not. He was actuated by the _same spirit_, and he _walke... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _THINK YE THAT WE EXCUSE OURSELVES_] απολογουμεθα; That we make an apology for our conduct; or, that I have sent Titus and that brother to you because I was ashamed or afraid to come myself? _WE SPEAK BEFORE GOD IN CHRIST_] I have not done so; I speak the truth before God; he is judge whe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _I FEAR, LEST, WHEN I COME_] I think the _present time_ is used here for the _past_; the apostle seems most evidently to be giving them the _reason_ why he _had not come_ to them according to his former purposes, and why he sent Titus and his companion. He was afraid to come at that time... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 2 Corinthians 12:21. _LEST, WHEN I COME AGAIN_] And even after all that has been done for you, I fear that when I _do come_-when I pay you my _second_ visit, _my God will humble me_-will permit me to be _affected_ with deep sorrow through what I may see among you; as I have been by the _buffet... [ Continue Reading ]