2 Corinthians 12
DOYLY— for my strength is made perfect in weakness.] Not as if our weakness added any thing to God’s power, but it renders His power more signal and conspicuous. Burkitt.
— that the power of Christ may rest upon me.] I glory in my infirmities, as more conspicuous demonstrations of those divine endowments which Christ has conferred on me. Pyle.
When we consider the infirmities of St. Paul, together with his innumerable toils and sufferings, we cannot account it less than a miracle that he was able for so long a time to do what he did, and to bear what he underwent; so that his bodily weakness, instead of being an objection to his character, afforded a proof to all who knew him, that he must have been supported by a Divine power in an extraordinary manner. Dr. Jortin.
Anno DOMINI 60. He justifieth himself. Anno DOMINI 60.
ties, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:2
- I knew a man in Christ] That is, a man transported above himself by the Spirit of Christ. Dr. Hammond, Burkitt. Or, a Christian. Dr. Wells. That the Apostle is speaking of himself here, is evident from the whole article, (Dr. Doddridge,) especially from verses 6, 7. Dr. Macknight.
— about fourteen years ago.] The Apostle having never spoken of his rapture till now, though it happened fourteen years before, the Corinthians might be sensible how little he was disposed to speak vauntingly of himself, and that they themselves had constrained him to mention it on this occasion; see ver. 11. Dr. Macknight.
— whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell:] That is, I am not able to say, whether I were bodily removed, and carried to the third heaven, the place of God’s glorious residence; or whether only in a vision such representations were made to me remaining upon the earth. Dr. Hammond.
— caught up] Philip the Evangelist was by the Spirit caught away in the body from the Ethiopian eunuch, who saw him no more; but Philip was found in Azotus. This therefore was a rapture of a man “in the body,” Acts viii. 39, 40. Ezekiel was “lift up by the Spirit between the earth and the heaven, and brought to Jerusalem;” but it was “in the visions of God,” Ezek. viii. 3. The Apostle could not tell in which of these ways he was caught up. Dr. Macknight.
— to the third heaven.] In the language of the Jews, the first heaven is the region of the air, where the birds fly: the second heaven is that part of space where the stars are: “the third heaven” is the seat of God and of the holy angels, into which Christ ascended after His resurrection, but which is not the object of men’s senses, as the other heavens are. Dr. Macknight.
2 Corinthians 12:4
- How that he was caught up into paradise.] And had a foretaste of the blessed state of faithful souls between death and the resurrection. For such is the sense of “paradise” in the New Testament. Parkhurst.
— which it is not lawful for a man to utter.] Or, ‘it is not possible,’ as the word often signifies: not so much unlawful by any Divine command, as impossible to be expressed in human language, being perfectly divine and heavenly things. Pyle.
Paul’s visions and revelations. He glorieth in his infirmities. Anno DOMINI 60.
2 Corinthians 12:5
- Of such an one will I glory: &c.] I will not, out of modesty, tell you that I was the man; but of such a man you will give me leave to glory: as for myself, when my name comes into mention, ye shall not bear me glory in any thing but in mine infirmities. Bp. Hall.
2 Corinthians 12:6
- — but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me &c.] But I will say no more on this subject, for I desire not to put men into any other opinion of me, than what they have from those more visible evidences, my ordinary constant actions or words. Dr. Hammond.
Here is seen the humility of this great Apostle, both in concealing formerly such extraordinary favours, and now, not without some difficulty and disguise, mentioning them; when, for a defence of the Gospel, in a manner constrained thereto: content only with such a fame as his outward actions and deportment in serving his master Christ could no way avoid, though these were sprinkled also with several infirmities; see 1 Cor. ii. 3. Bp. Fell.
2 Corinthians 12:7
- — a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan] By this in all probability is to be understood some bodily disease, sickness, or infirmity, which was visible, and so exposed St. Paul to contempt; and which was supernatural, or not arising from a natural cause, but inflicted on him with God’s permission by Satan. Bp. Bull, Dr. Wells.
What this “thorn in the flesh” was in particular, St. Paul having thought fit to conceal, it is not easy for those who come after to discover, nor is it very material. Locke.
2 Corinthians 12:8
- — I besought the Lord &c.] That is, the Lord Jesus, as appears from the two next verses. Here is an instance of prayer directed to Christ, and therefore here is a proof of Christ’s divinity: prayer made to Christ by all Christians, at all times, in all places, and for all things, is an evidence of His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence; and consequently of His being truly and essentially God. Burkitt, Dr. Whitby.
2 Corinthians 12:9
- — My grace is sufficient for thee.] Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, whom it appears from the context that St. Paul besought, spake to His Apostle, and gave him this kind answer, “My grace is sufficient for thee,” &c. As if He had said, Be patient and contented; it is enough that I love thee, that I am always with thee to assist thee in the performance of thy office and ministry. Thy weakness and infirmities shall not hinder thee from being a successful preacher of the Gospel; and then these very imperfections will shew forth my power, and prove to the world, that by the most incompetent and unpromising means and instruments I am able to bring about the good of My church, and the establishment of My kingdom. Dr. Jortin. It is here to be observed, that though this “thorn in the flesh” was not removed
ger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2 Corinthians 12:10
- — when I am weak, then am I strong.] In time of afflictions the strength of Christ is more eminently visible in me: the heavier the pressures are, the greater supports I have from Him. Dr. Hammond.
2 Corinthians 12:11
- — though I be nothing.] As my enemies account me through envy, and as I account myself in humility. Burkitt.
2 Corinthians 12:14
- Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you;] His meaning probably is this: I have once actually been with you; I was ready to come a second time, though your disorders hindered that journey, chap. i. 23; and I am now ready the third time. Dr. Whitby.
— for the children &c.] I look upon you as my spiritual children, and shall provide for you, without expecting any thing from you. Pyle.
2 Corinthians 12:15
- — I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;] I am free to bestow all my instructions on you, nay, to lay out all my strength in labours for your good. Pyle,
2 Corinthians 12:16
- But be it so, &c.] The Apostle here answers an unfounded objection, that though he was not burdensome to the Corinthians himself, he craftily sent to them others, whom he employed to procure money for him. He therefore appeals to themselves, whether any person, he ever sent to them, received any thing of them for his use. Burkitt.
2 Corinthians 12:18
- — and with him I sent a brother.] Who that brother was is not known. Dr. Macknight.
2 Corinthians 12:19
19—21. Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? &c.] As if he had said, Think not that I excuse myself so often for deferring my promised journey,
from any sinister purposes of my own. It is your benefit and reformation that I aim at. For verily I fear, whenever I come, I shall find those sins not repented of by many of you, which will be matter of humiliation, sorrow, and lamentation to me; and that I must be compelled, contrary to my inclinations, to inflict censures and corporal punishments on many of you, for the schisms, debates, and strifes of some, and for the uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness of others. Burkitt.
Chap. XIII. The Apostle threatens to punish his obstinate opposers, at his next coming amongst them. In the mean time, he exhorts them earnestly to a reformation, and professes he should be right glad to find no occasion to shew the power he has to vindicate himself, and punish them. The salutations, and conclusion. Pyle.
Ver. 1. This is the third time I am coming to you.] See the note on chap. xii. 14. The Apostle seems here to resume the sentence, which he had before begun. Such interruptions are frequent in St. Paul and in many other writers, who have not a regard to an artificial style, and do not stand to correct every little inaccuracy, but abound in quickness and variety of thought, as Locke justly observes. Dr. Doddridge.
— In the mouth of two or three witnesses &c.] Dr. Lightfoot says, that those three witnesses were Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, sent to assure the Corinthians of his coming. Others say that he speaks of
Paul threateneth obdurate sinners, II. CORINTHIANS. and adviseth reformation. Anno DOMINI 60.