2 Corinthians 12:1-7 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

I knew a man in Christ - I knew a Christian, or a Christian man; for to such alone God now revealed himself, for vision and prophecy had been shut up from the Jews. Fourteen years ago - On what occasion or in what place this transaction took place we cannot tell; there are many conjectures among learned men concerning it, but of what utility can they be when every thing is so palpably uncertain? Allowing this epistle to have been written some time in the year 57, fourteen years counted... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Caught up into paradise - The Jewish writers have no less than four paradises, as they have seven heavens; but it is needless to wade through their fables. On the word paradise see the note on Genesis 2:8 . The Mohammedans call it jennet alferdoos , the garden of paradise, and say that God created it out of light, and that it is the habitation of the prophets and wise men. Among Christian writers it generally means the place of the blessed, or the state of separate spirits. Whether the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Of such a one will I glory - Through modesty he does not mention himself, though the account can be understood of no other person; for, did he mean any other, the whole account would be completely irrelevant. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

I shall not be a fool - Who that had got such honor from God would have been fourteen years silent on the subject? I will say the truth - I speak nothing but truth; and the apostle seems to have intended to proceed with something else of the same kind, but, finding some reason probably occurring suddenly, says, I forbear - I will say no more on this subject. Lest any man should think of me above - The apostle spoke of these revelations for two purposes: first, lest his enemies might... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted - There were three evils to be guarded against: The contempt of his gifts and call by his enemies. The overweening fondness of his friends. And, Self-exultation. A thorn in the flesh - The word σκολοψ signifies a stake, and ανασκολοπιζεσθαι , to be tied to a stake by way of punishment; and it is used, says Schoettgen, to signify the most oppressive afflictions. Whatever it was, it was τῃ σαρκι , in the flesh, i.e. of an outward kind. It was neither... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

Verse 1 1.It is not expedient for me to glory Now, when as it were in the middle of the course, he restrains himself from proceeding farther, and in this way he most appropriately reproves the impudence of his rivals and declares that it is with reluctance, that he engages in this sort of contest with them. For what a shame it was to scrape together from every quarter commendations, or rather to go a-begging for them, that they might be on a level with so distinguished a man! As to the latter,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

Verse 2 2.I knew a man in Christ As he was desirous to restrain himself within bounds, he merely singles out one instance, and that, too, he handles in such a way as to show, that it is not from inclination that he brings it forward; for why does he speak in the person of another rather than in his own? It is as though he had said, “I should have preferred to be silent, I should have preferred to keep the whole matter suppressed within my own mind, but those persons (880) will not allow me. I... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Verse 4 4.In paradise (889) As every region that is peculiarly agreeable and delightful (890) is called in the Scriptures the garden of God, it came from this to be customary among the Greeks to employ the term paradise to denote the heavenly glory, even previously to Christ’s advent, as appears from Ecclesiasticus. (Sirach 40:17.) It is also used in this sense in Luke 23:43, in Christ’s answer to the robber — “To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise, ” that is, “Thou shalt enjoy the presence... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Verse 5 5.Of such a man It is as though he had said “I have just ground for glorying, but I do not willingly avail myself of it. For it is more in accordance with my design, to glory in my infirmities If, however, those malicious persons harass me any farther, and constrain me to boast more than I am inclined to do, they shall feel that they have to do with a man, whom God has illustriously honored, and raised up on high, with a view to his exposing their follies. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

Verse 6 6.For if I should desire. Lest what he had said, as to his having no inclination to glory, should be turned into an occasion of calumny, and malevolent persons should reply — “You are not inclined for it, because it is not in your power, he anticipates such a reply. “I would have it quite in my power,” says he, “on good grounds; nor would I be justly accused of vanity, for I have ground to go upon, but I refrain from it.” He employs the term folly here in a different sense from what he... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:6

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