2 Corinthians 12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:4

2 Corinthians 12:4. How that he was caught up into paradise The seat of happy spirits, in their separate state between death and the resurrection. See note on Luke 23:43. Most of the ancients, (except Origen,) as Clement of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Ireneus, Tertullian, and, among the moderns, Bull, Whitby, Bengelius, were of opinion that the apostle had two different raptures; because, as Methodius very well argues, If one rapture only were spoken of, the repetition of whether in the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:5-6

2 Corinthians 12:5-6. Of such a one will I, or, I might, glory As a person highly favoured of Christ; yet of myself Considered as in myself; I will not glory Willingly; but in my infirmities See on 2 Corinthians 11:30. Instead of boasting of his raptures into the third heaven and into paradise, he will boast of those very weaknesses for which his enemies ridiculed him, because, the more weak and contemptible he appeared in the eyes of the world, the more clearly was his success in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:7

2 Corinthians 12:7. Lest I should be exalted above measure Made to think highly of myself, and to put confidence in myself, and thereby should be exposed to the displeasure of him who resisteth the proud, 1 Peter 5:5; through the abundance Υπερβολη , the transcendency, of the revelations That is, the number and the extraordinary nature of them; there was given to me By the wise and gracious providence of God; a thorn in the flesh A visitation more painful than any thorn sticking in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:8-11

2 Corinthians 12:8-11. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice All kinds of affliction had befallen the apostle, yet none of these did he deprecate. But here he speaks of his thorn in the flesh, as above all the rest one that macerated him with weakness, and by the pain and ignominy of it, prevented his being lifted up more, or at least not less, than the most vehement headache could have done, which many of the ancients say he laboured under. That the Lord to whom the apostle prayed was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:12-13

2 Corinthians 12:12-13. Truly the signs of an apostle The signs whereby a person was known to be an apostle, were his performing great and evident miracles openly in the view of the world, especially his healing diseases, his casting out devils, and his speaking foreign languages. But the greatest of all the signs was his conveying spiritual gifts to them who believed; a power which none possessed but the apostles. All these signs St. Paul having exhibited at Corinth, and in particular... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:14-15

2 Corinthians 12:14-15. Behold, the third time I am ready That is, resolved; to come to you Having purposed it twice before, and been disappointed, 1 Corinthians 16:5; 2 Corinthians 1:15-16. And I will not be burdensome to you More than formerly; for I seek not yours, but you Not your money or goods, but the salvation of your souls. For children ought not That is, it is not according to the course of nature for children to lay up temporal things for the parents, who commonly die... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:16-18

2 Corinthians 12:16-18. Be it so, &c. But some may object; though I did not burden you Though I did not take any thing of you myself; yet being crafty, I caught you with guile I did secretly by my messengers what I would not do openly or in person. I answer this lying accusation by appealing to plain fact. Did I make a gain of you by any of my messengers? You know the contrary. It should be carefully observed that St. Paul does not allow, but absolutely denies, that he had caught... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:19-21

2 Corinthians 12:19-21. Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves That I say all this to insinuate myself into your esteem for any secular ends? We speak before God in Christ As if he had said, I have a higher end in view, namely, the glory of God, in whose presence I speak it; for we do all things for your edifying Your edification is the end I have in view, in this and all other things that I do concerning you. For I fear And have I not reason so to do? lest when I come With a... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

A genuine case for boasting (12:1-10)Before leaving the subject of boasting, Paul wants to give one more example (12:1). Fourteen years previously he had seen a vision, but because he does not want to exalt himself, he speaks about his experience in the third person, referring to himself simply as ‘a man’. By some unknown means he was taken up into Paradise, where he heard and saw things that God does not normally allow people to know (2-4). He is not telling this story so that the Corinthians... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Plan to visit Corinth again (12:11-21)The Corinthians have forced Paul to this foolish boasting through their believing the accusations that the false apostles made against him. He reminds them also of the miracles and wonders he performed among them, in spite of great difficulties. All these examples should make them see clearly that he is not a second-class apostle (11-12). His refusal to live at the Corinthians’ expense was for the purpose of helping them. But instead of being thankful to... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:5-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:8-11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:12-13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:14-15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:16-18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:19-21

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

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