2 Corinthians 12:14-15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

In these verses the apostle addresses himself to the Corinthians two ways:? I. He blames them for what was faulty in them; namely, that they had not stood up in his defence as they ought to have done, and so made it the more needful for him to insist so much on his own vindication. They in manner compelled him to commend himself, who ought to have been commended of them 2 Cor. 12:11. And had they, or some among them, not failed on their part, it would have been less needful for him to have... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:11-18

12:11-18 I have become a fool--you forced me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, not by myself. I am in no way inferior to the super-apostles, even if I am nothing. The signs of an apostle have been wrought among you in all endurance, with signs and wonders and deeds of power. In what have you been surpassed by the rest of the churches, except that I have not squeezed charity out of you? Forgive me for this sin. Look you! I am ready to come to you for the third time, and I still... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:14

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you ,.... Not that he had been twice at Corinth, and was now about to come a third time; for as yet he had been but once there, when he first preached to them, was the means of their conversion, and settled them in a church state; he had promised them to come a second time, but as yet was prevented; see 1 Corinthians 16:5 , and now a third time he had purposed it in his mind, and had prepared for it, and was just ready to come unto them; when he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:15

And I will gladly spend ,.... Meaning all his time, talents, and strength, which God had bestowed upon him for their spiritual profit and advantage; yea, all that small pittance of worldly goods that he enjoyed: he not only determined to take nothing from them, but was willing to communicate his little substance to them, or spend it in their service; and not only so, but be spent for them: and be spent for you , or "for your souls": for the good of them; his sense is, either that he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:14

The third time I am ready - That is, this is the third time that I am ready - have formed the resolution, to visit you. He had formed this resolution twice before, but was disappointed. See 1 Corinthians 16:5 , and 2 Corinthians 1:15 , 2 Corinthians 1:16 . He now formed it a third time, having more probability of seeing them now than he had before. See 2 Corinthians 13:2 . I seek not yours, but you - I seek your salvation, I desire not your property; others have sought your... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:15

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you - I will continue to act as a loving father, who spends all he has upon his children, and expends his own strength and life in providing for them the things necessary for their preservation and comfort. Though the more abundantly I love you - I will even act towards you with the most affectionate tenderness, though it happen to me, as it often does to loving fathers, that their disobedient children love them less, in proportion as their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:14

Verse 14 14.Behold, this third time He commends his own deed, for which he had received a very poor requital from the Corinthians. For he says, that he refrained from taking their worldly substance for two reasons first, because he sought them, not their wealth; and secondly, because he was desirous to act the part of a father towards them. From this it appears, what commendation was due to his modesty, which occasioned him contempt among the Corinthians. I seek not yours. It is the part of a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:15

Verse 15 15.And I will most gladly spend This, certainly, was an evidence of a more than fatherly affection — that he was prepared to lay out in their behalf not merely his endeavors, and everything in his power to do, but even life itself. Nay more, while he is regarded by them with coldness, he continues, nevertheless, to cherish this affection. What heart, though even as hard as iron, would such ardor of love not soften or break, especially in connection with such constancy? Paul, however,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21