2 Corinthians 12

1. The Apostle to show how great cause he hath to boast above others, relates how he was drawn up into the third heaven, and they heard that which no man can utter. 7. That therefore for his humiliation an Angel if Satan was given him which buffeted him, 8. against which he had besought the Lord thrice, and received answer that Gods grace must be sufficient for him. 10. That therefore he rather boasts in his infirmity and humility. 11. Excuseth himself that he must boast again true evidences of his Apostleship among them, 12. which notwithstanding they were indeed sensible enough of. 14. Testifieth that now the third time he will come to them in anything, 16. as neither others sent from him; nor yet Titus, were in anything burden some unto them. 20. Warns them finally that they amend the faults of contention, high-mindedness, fornication, & c. among them before he come, that he to sorrow be not necessitated to use his Apostolical power upon such.

1. To boast truly is not expedient for me. [Or suits not well with me. [Namely, because boasting hath a show of self-conceitedness. Understand this then, except I were constrained thereto for the defense of mine Apostleship. See here v. 11, 12.] For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [that is, which the Lord hath made or showed me.]

2. I know a man in Christ, [That is, which is in Christ, or a Christian. So he speaketh of himself in the third person in token of humility, as if it were a thing which were without him. Others take this word in Christ, for by Christ: for a form of an oath, as Romans 9:1. and hereafter v. 19.] fourteen years ago, (whether it (was done) in the body I know not: [that is, whether it were only showed me by an ecstasy in my spirit: or that my spirit for a time was brought out of my body up into heaven both body and soul, or with the soul only, that I know not] or without the body, I know not: God knoweth it) that such a one was drawn up even into the third heaven. [that is, into the habitation of the Angels and holy souls, which v. 4. he calleth paradise by a similitude taken from the earthly paradise, see Luke 23:43. Revelation 2:7. The cause why this is called the third heaven, is, because the air is accounted the first heaven, the visible heavens in which the stars are, the second, and the heaven above all those heavens, the third. See 1 Kings 8:27.]

3. And I know such a man (whether it (happened) in the body or without the body I know not: God knoweth it : )

4. That he was drawn up into Paradise [See ver. 2.] and heard unutterable words, which it is not lawful for a man to speak. [Or, cannot speak forth. Namely, because they go beyond a man’s capacity in this life : or because God willed not this, seeing these things served Paul alone to strengthen him against all the troubles which pursued him in his ministry. Otherwise, Paul revealed the whole counsel of God concerning the salvation of men, to the Churches. See Acts 20:27.]

5. Of such a one I will boast: but of myself I will not boast, but in mine infirmities. [that is, in my troubles and tribulations, which are come upon me, as heretofore chapter 11. 23. etc. and hereafter ver. 9. is declared.]

6. For if I will boast I shall not be unwise: for I will speak the truth: but I abstain (from it) that no man think of me above that which he seeth that I am, or that he heareth from me.

7. And that I should not exalt myself by the excellency of revelations, there was given me a sharp thorn [Gr. scolops, which word signifies a sharp stake, or pricking splinter, or thorny wood that sticks in any one’s leg or flesh, when they go through woods or thickets. It signifies also sometimes a caltrop; which is cast before horses or men in their going, or to hinder or retard them. See Numb. 33. 35. Ezekiel 28:24. Both significations agree well with Paul’s discourse] in the flesh (namely) an Angel of Satan [or an Angel Satan, who was a instrument that procured him this trouble for his humiliation, as is to be seen in the example of Job] that he should buffet me, [or should give me blows in the cheeks, i.e. procure me reproach and trouble. Now what trouble this was the Apostle doth not express. Some think that they were the persecutions and tribulations themselves: others some pains and distresses of the body, which sometimes came upon him; others that they were troubles and temptations of the soul, but all is uncertain; this only appears out of the 9. and 10. verses, that it were some special weaknesses of the soul or of the body] that I might not exalt myself.

8. For this I besought the Lord thrice [That is, divers times] that he might depart from me.

9. And he said unto me, my grace [Namely, whereby I so strengthen thee against these weaknesses, that thou maist overcome them. See 1 Cor. 10. 13.] (is) enough for thee: for my power is accomplished [that is, brought to an end, or showed to be perfect , as jam. 2. 22.] in weakness. I will therefore much rather boast in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. [or dwell upon me. The Greek word signifies to inhabit or overshadow any thing, as a booth or Tabernacle.]

10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak [Namely, in myself, by all such distresses and troubles] then am I mighty. [namely, through God, who strengthens and comforts me in the midst of them.]

11. I am (in) boasting become unwise: ye have constrained me: For I ought to be praised by you: for I was in nothing less [namely, by the grace of God, which guided and assisted me, 1 Cor. 15. 10.] then the most excellent Apostles, though I be nothing. [namely, of myself, 1 Cor. 3. 7.]

12. The signs of an Apostle [Namely, whereby a true Apostle of Christ is known] were showed among you [Gr. wrought out] in all patience, with signs [Gr. in] and wonders, and mighty (deeds).

13. For what is there wherein ye were less than the other churches, [Namely, which were planted and set up by other Apostles, with whom he here compares himself] other, than that I myself was not burdensome unto you? [namely, by taking maintenance of you, for my self and those that were with me] forgive me this wrong. [a sharp reprehension by a manner of speaking, whereof see 2 Cor. 11. 19. Or this injustice.]

14. Behold, I am the third time [See hereof chapter 13. 1.] ready to come unto you, and will not be burdensome unto you. For I seek not yours but you. [that is, not yours goods, but your salvation] For the children must not gather treasures for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15. And I will very willingly be at cost [Namely, to maintain myself and mine among you] and be expended for your souls: [that is, even hazard my life for the salvation of your souls] although I loving you more abundantly, be the less loved.

16. But be it so, I have not burdened you: but seeing I was crafty [This is a slander of the false Apostles whose words he rehearseth, and afterwards confutes] I caught you with deceit. [or possessed you, i.e. so brought you to me with gentle reins, that afterwards I might make mine advantage of you.]

17. Have I by any one of those whom I sent unto you sought mine advantage of you? [Or forced anything from you, oppressed by covetousness or pressed any thing from you, as the Greek word imports, so also in the following verse.]

18. I besought Titus, and sent a brother with him, hath Titus also sought his advantage of you? Have we not walked in the same spirit? [That is, were we not led by the same Spirit of God in our dealing and walking among you] (have we) not (walked) in the same footsteps.

19. Again, think ye that we excuse our selves unto you?

20. For I fear lest when I shall be come, I shall not in some sort find you such as I would, [That is, many among you going on carelessly in the same faults, as is declared in the end of this verse] and (that) I shall be found of you such as ye would not: [That is, sharper in the exercising of Ecclesiastical discipline, then hitherto ye have experienced] lest any wise there (should be) strifes, envies, wrath, chiding, backbiting, whisperings, puffing up, commotions. [or, uproar, disturbances.]

21. Least when I shall be come again, my God should humble me among you, [This the Apostle saith because there was nothing that more exalted and rejoiced him, than that his labour had its due fruits among them: and that nothing more humbled and grieved him, than when through sins and scandals his labour seemed to suffer prejudice, interruption. See 1 Thes. 2. 19. 20.] and I should be sorry for many, who have sinned before, [namely, whereof he had written in the former Epistle] and who shall not have repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and immodesty [or, lasciviousness, wantonness, petulancy] which they have committed.