2 Corinthians 12

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The thorn in the flesh. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing. In reference to this or "to him, " the angel of Satan. The Lord. That is, Christ ( 1 Corinthians 1:3 ). Thrice (comp. Matthew 26:44 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me. The original is much more forcible: "And he has said to me." Is sufficient for thee. A similar phrase, though in a very different context, occurs in Deuteronomy 3:26 . My strength is made perfect in weakness . The verse contains a paradox, which yet describes the best history of the world. The paradox becomes more suggestive if, with א , A, B, D, F, G, we omit " my ." May rest upon me; literally, may tabernacle over me . The compound verb occurs here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:10

I take pleasure in; I am content to bear them cheerfully ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 ; Romans 5:3 ). Strong ; rather, powerful, mighty . The resemblance to Philo ('Vit. Mos.,' Opp., 1:613, "Your weakness is might") is probably accidental (see 1 Corinthians 15:54 ; Colossians 3:4 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:11

A fool (see 2 Corinthians 11:16 ). For I ought. The " I " is emphatic. You compelled me to become senseless in boasting of myself to you, whereas I ought to have been commended by you . To have been commended. The verb gives one more side allusion, not without bitterness, to the commendatory epistles of which his adversaries boasted ( 2 Corinthians 3:1 ; 2 Corinthians 5:12 ; 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 ). The very chiefest apostles. The same strange compound, "out and out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:12

The signs of an apostle. St. Paul always claimed to have attested his mission by spiritual and miraculous gifts ( Romans 15:19 ; Acts 15:12 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:13

I was not burdensome. The same word as in 2 Corinthians 11:9 . Forgive me this wrong. There is an exquisite dignity and pathos mixed with the irony of this remark. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:14

The third time I am ready to come to you. He had been ready twice before, though the second time his actual visit had been prevented by the scandals in their Church. That the visit which he now contemplates is a third visit, and that there was an unrecorded second visit, is a needless and improbable inference from this passage. Be burdensome (see 2 Corinthians 12:13 ). Not yours, but you ( 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:15

Spend and be spent; rather, spend and be outspent, or spent to the uttermost ( Philippians 2:17 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:16

But be it so, I did not burden you. The "I" is emphatic. It is shocking to think that, even after Paul has so triumphantly cleared himself from the disgraceful charge of trying to make gain out of the Corinthians, he should still be obliged to meet the slanderous innuendo that, even if he had not personally tried to get anything out of them, still he had done so indirectly through the agency of Titus. Being crafty, I caught you with guile. He is here quoting the sneer of his enemies (see... read more

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