2 Corinthians 12

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:19

2 Corinthians 12:19. Again, think ye that we excuse, &c.— He had before given the reason, ch. 2Co 1:23 for his not coming to them, with the same asseveration as in the present verse. If we trace the thread of St. Paul's discourse, we may observe that, having concluded the justification of himself and his apostleship by his past actions, 2Co 12:13 he had it in his thoughts to tell them how he would deal with the false apostle and his adherents when he came, as he was now ready to do; and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:20

2 Corinthians 12:20. Lest there be—envyings, &c.— All these were the natural consequences of those debates which had arisen among them; and therefore St. Paul, in a very judicious manner, gives this solemn warning with relation to them. Inferences.—What vicissitudes are there in the Christian's comforts and afflictions! He is sometimes lifted up, as it were, to the third heaven, which is like a paradise, for all delights, and unutterable glories; and he presently falls under the buffetings... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12

CHAPTER 12 :-. REVELATIONS IN WHICH HE MIGHT GLORY: BUT HE RATHER GLORIES IN INFIRMITIES, AS CALLING FORTH CHRIST'S POWER: SIGNS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP: HIS DISINTERESTEDNESS: NOT THAT HE IS EXCUSING HIMSELF TO THEM; BUT HE DOES ALL FOR THEIR GOOD, LEST HE SHOULD FIND THEM NOT SUCH AS HE DESIRED, AND SO SHOULD HAVE TO BE SEVERE AT HIS COMING. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

1. He proceeds to illustrate the "glorying in infirmities" ( :-). He gave one instance which might expose him to ridicule (2 Corinthians 11:33); he now gives another, but this one connected with a glorious revelation of which it was the sequel: but he dwells not on the glory done to himself, but on the infirmity which followed it, as displaying Christ's power. The oldest manuscripts read, "I MUST NEEDS boast (or glory) though it be not expedient; for I will come." The "for" gives a proof that... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

2. Translate, "I know," not "I knew." a man—meaning himself. But he purposely thus distinguishes between the rapt and glorified person of 2 Corinthians 12:2; 2 Corinthians 12:4, and himself the infirmity-laden victim of the "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). Such glory belonged not to him, but the weakness did. Nay, he did not even know whether he was in or out of the body when the glory was put upon him, so far was the glory from being his [ALFORD]. His spiritual self was his highest... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:3

3. Translate, "I know." out of—Most of the oldest manuscripts read "apart from." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

4. unspeakable—not in themselves, otherwise Paul could not have heard them; but as the explanation states, "which it is not lawful . . . to utter" [ALFORD]. They were designed for Paul's own consolation, and not for communication to others. Some heavenly words are communicable (Exodus 34:6; Isaiah 6:3). These were not so. Paul had not the power adequately to utter; nor if he had, would he have been permitted; nor would earthly men comprehend them (John 3:12; 1 Corinthians 2:9). A man may hear... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

5. of myself—concerning myself. Self is put in the background, except in respect to his infirmities. His glorying in his other self, to which the revelations were vouchsafed, was not in order to give glory to his fleshly self, but to bring out in contrast the "infirmities" of the latter, that Christ might have all the glory. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

6. For—Not but that I might glory as to "myself" ( :-); "FOR if I should desire to glory, I shall not be a fool"; for I have things to glory, or boast of which are good matter for glorying of (not mere external fleshly advantages which when he gloried in [ :-] he termed such glorying "folly," 2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 11:16; 2 Corinthians 11:17). think of me—Greek, "form his estimate respecting me." heareth of me—Greek, "heareth aught from me." Whatever haply he heareth from me in... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

7. exalted above measure—Greek, "overmuch uplifted." How dangerous must self-exaltation be, when even the apostle required so much restraint! [BENGEL]. abundance—Greek, "the excess"; exceeding greatness. given . . . me—namely, by God (Job 5:6; Philippians 1:29). thorn in the flesh— (Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24). ALFORD thinks it to be the same bodily affliction as in Galatians 4:13; Galatians 4:14. It certainly was something personal, affecting him individually, and not as an apostle: causing... read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:19

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:20

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

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