It (1) is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. (1) He continues in his purpose, and because those braggarts boasted of revelations, he reckons up those things which lift him up above the common capacity of men. But he uses a preface, and prude... [ Continue Reading ]
I knew a man (a) in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the (b) third heaven. (a) I speak this in Christ, that is, it is spoken without boastfulness, for I seek nothing but Christ Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
How that he was caught up into (c) paradise, and heard (d) unspeakable words, which it is not (e) lawful for a man to utter. (c) So the Greeks name that which we call a park, that is to say, a place where trees are planted, and wild beasts kept. And those that translated the Old Testament out of He... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. (2) To remove all suspicion of seeking glory, he witnesses that he brags not of those things as though they were of himself, but as outside of himself. And yet nonetheless he pretends nothing, lest by this occ... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me (f) a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of (g) Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (3) An excellent doctrine: why God will have even his best servants to be vexed b... [ Continue Reading ]
For this thing I besought the Lord (h) thrice, that it might depart from me. (h) Often.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (4) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may (i) rest upon me. (4) He concludes that he will only set his miseries against the vain braggings of the fa... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore I take (k) pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (k) I do not only take them patiently and with a good heart, but I also take great pleasure in them.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: (5) for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. (5) Again he makes the Corinthians witnesses of those things by which God had sealed his apostleship among them, and again... [ Continue Reading ]
Truly the (l) signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (l) The arguments by which it may well appear that I am indeed an apostle of Jesus Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except [it be] that I myself was not (m) burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. (m) I was not slothful with my own hands, so that I might not be burdensome to you.... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. (6) He sets aside another most grievous slander, that is, that he did subtly and by others make his gain and profit of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in (n) Christ: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. (7) He concludes that he does not write these things to them as though he needed to defend himself, for he is guilty of nothing: but because it is app... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: (8) Having confirmed his authority to them, he rebukes them sharply,... [ Continue Reading ]