2 Corinthians 12

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:13

For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.Forgive me this wrong ... "The statement is ironical."[32] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:14

Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.The third time ... Although these words may properly be construed as a reference to planning a third visit, McGarvey said, "Evidently it was to be his third visit."[33] This leads to the conclusion that a second visit, in between the two canonical epistles, was made, the one usually... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:15

And I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? But be it so, I do not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less ... Paul's sacrifices in not receiving their money were actually founded in his abundant love for them; and surely that should not have caused them to love the apostle less.But be it so ... Far from changing his mind about it, Paul here revealed that at... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:17

Did I take advantage of you by any of them whom I have sent unto you?Paul's reply here indicates the nature of the "guile" in 2 Corinthians 12:16.As David Lipscomb interpreted this:His contemptible enemies not only stated that Paul did not dare accept support, but insinuated that there was something suspicious about the collection he was taking, and that perhaps he had a secret personal interest in it.[35]Also in this same vein, many commentators have remembered the words of John Calvin: "It is... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:18

I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?Tasker convincingly affirms that "I sent" as used here should not be translated in the past tense, but as "epistolary," and translated in English as the present tense; because these men "had not arrived in Corinth when 2Corinthians was written, but they will have done so by the time the Corinthians receive the letter."[37] This is an important... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:19

Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.The first sentence here carries the thought that the Corinthians ought not to consider Paul's words as a mere defense of himself; on the contrary, he was speaking "in Christ," that is, by the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and every word he has written is for the purpose of their edification.Beloved ... This word is the grave of every... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:20

For I fear, lest by any means, when I came, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings whisperings, swellings, tumults.Carver, with many other eminent commentators, properly saw this verse as "No doubt applicable only to a minority of the church."[41] It should also be noted that the four pairs of disorders are exactly those which existed at the time of the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:21

Lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and lasciviousness which they have committed.Paul was determined that nothing would prevent his cleaning up the mess in Corinth. Neither the displeasure of the sinners to be rebuked, nor his own pathetic grief over the fallen, nor any humiliation before God that would come of dealing with such wickedness would deter the effective steps... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

2 Corinthians 12:1. I will come to visions, &c.— The Apostle's speaking of his visions and revelations, which, indeed, did him the highest honour, could not be a proof that he was determined not to vindicate himself: it is evident, therefore, that the word γαρ in the original [ελευσομαι γαρ] cannot have its original signification, and be rendered for. Our translators take it for a mere expletive. Dr. Doddridge translates it nevertheless; and it is certain that it has various significations,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

2 Corinthians 12:2. I know a man in Christ— St. Paul must undoubtedly mean himself, or the whole article had been quite foreign to his purpose. It hence appears, that the Apostle had concealed this extraordinary event fourteen years; and if this Epistle was written about the year 58, as is supposed, this vision must have fallen out in the year 44, which was so long after his conversion as to prove it quite different from the trance mentioned, Acts 9:9. Some think that this glorious... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:13

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:14

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:15

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:17

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:18

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:19

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:20

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:21

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

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