2 Corinthians 12

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

2 COR. 12Subjects treated by Paul in this chapter are: the revelations he received from the Lord (2 Corinthians 12:1-6), the counteracting thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), another regret at the necessity of glorying (2 Corinthians 12:11-12), his independence (2 Corinthians 12:13-15), a reply to false charges (2 Corinthians 12:16-18), and certain cautions and warnings (2 Corinthians 12:19-21).I must needs glory, though it is not expedient, but I will come to visions and revelations of... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up, even to the third heaven.A man in Christ ... The center and circumference of Pauline theology are summed up in the phrase "in Christ." The thought behind the use of the third person here is that it was not as himself that these experiences came to him, but that "as Christ" and "in Christ" he was granted those things. On this account, his... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:3

And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.The repetition of the same thought in 2 Corinthians 12:2,3 ("whether in the body ...") is difficult to interpret. "Opinion is divided as to whether the apostle is merely repeating what he had just said, or is describing"[8] a second event. There are many scholars on both sides of the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weakness.Such a one ... such a man ... such a one ... (2 Corinthians 12:2,3,5). Each is the equivalent of "a man in Christ" (2 Corinthians 12:2) and should be understood as Paul's repeated affirmation of the truth of his experiences being, in a sense, not his own but Christ's. It was in unity with Christ that the events occurred. In that exalted sense, therefore, Paul could not glory on his own behalf.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.The first half of this was paraphrased by Wesley thus, "It could not justly be accounted folly to relate the naked truth."[12] There is also an insinuation here that the wicked "apostles" in Corinth were not telling the truth. Regarding the second half of this verse, Carver said that one of the great reasons... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.THE THORN IN THE FLESHLike the visions themselves, the thorn in the flesh is little more than a hint, revealed in terms of tantalizing brevity, and described by enigmatical allusions which have puzzled people for centuries. The thorn has been speculatively identified as... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:8

Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me, And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Might depart from me ... If the thorn is understood as advocated above, what is meant by Paul's prayer that it might depart from him? The thorn in Paul was the humiliation, the shame and ignominy, from every earthly... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:10

Wherefore I take pleasure in weakness, injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.Wherefore ... This verse describes Paul's living with the thorn unremoved; and there is not a word of sickness, disease, or near-sightedness, or anything of the kind. It is "injuries, persecutions, etc." of which he speaks; and what were these but the multiplied efforts of the hardened Israel against the gospel of Christ? Nevertheless, Paul... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:11

I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.I am become foolish ... Paul says, "You have compelled me to boast of myself, whereas in truth you should have been recommending me yourselves, especially since I certainly rank as high as those super-super apostles of yours!"Chiefest apostles ... For exegesis on this, see under 2 Corinthians 11:5.Hughes has a wonderful paragraph on this... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:12

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.Jesus Christ had promised his holy apostles that they would be able to perform miracles and that God would work with them, "confirming the word" (Mark 16:20); and Paul enjoyed that prerogative along with the other apostles. Paul laid hands on the sick, and they recovered (Acts 28:8); he was bitten by a poisonous viper without harm (Acts 28:5); he raised the dead (Acts 20:9ff); he spoke... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:8

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:10

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:11

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:12

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