2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Here we may observe, I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1. Of the honour itself which was done to the apostle: he was caught up into the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12:2. When this was we cannot say, whether it was during those three days that he lay without sight at his conversion or at some other time afterwards, much less can we... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

12:1-10 I must continue to boast. It is not good for me to do so, all the same I will come to visions and revelations given to me by the Lord. I know a man in Christ, who, fourteen years ago--whether it was in the body I do not know; whether it was out of the body I do not know; God knows--was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man about whom I am speaking--whether it was with the body or without the body, I do not know; God knows--was caught up to Paradise and heard words... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure ,.... Over much elated in his mind, and swelled with a vain conceit of himself: through the abundance of the revelations ; for he had not only one or two, or a few, but an abundance of them; and which, as everything does but grace, tended to lift up his mind, to stir up the pride of his heart, and to entertain too high and exalted thoughts of himself. Pride is naturally in every man's heart; converted persons are not without it; knowledge,... 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 12:7

Verse 7 7.And lest through the superiority of revelations. Here we have a second reason — that God, designing to repress in him every approach to insolence, subdued him with a rod. That rod he calls a goad, by a metaphor taken from oxen. The word flesh is, in the Greek, in the dative (898) Hence Erasmus has rendered it “by the flesh.” I prefer, however, to understand him as meaning, that the prickings of this goad were in his flesh. Now it is asked, what this goad was. Those act a ridiculous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7

Lest I should be exalted above measure; literally, that I may not be over exalted . It was necessary to show St. Paul that he only held the treasure in an earthen vessel. There was given me. Even God's afflictions are meant for gifts. A thorn ( skolops ). The more usual meaning is, as Hesychius says, "a sharp stake" ('Sudes,' Tert.). Hence the word skolopizo, I impale or crucify. St. Paul's agony was an impalement or crucifixion of all sensual impulses and earthly ambitions. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The thorn in the flesh. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted - Lest I should be spiritually proud; lest I should become self-confident and vain, and suppose that I was a special favorite of Heaven. If Paul was in danger of spiritual pride, who is not? If it was necessary for God to adopt some special measures to keep him humble, we are not to be surprised that the same thing should occur in other cases. There is abundant reason to believe that Paul was naturally a proud man. He was by nature self-confident; trusting in his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:7

2 Corinthians 12:7. Lest I should be exalted above measure Made to think highly of myself, and to put confidence in myself, and thereby should be exposed to the displeasure of him who resisteth the proud, 1 Peter 5:5; through the abundance Υπερβολη , the transcendency, of the revelations That is, the number and the extraordinary nature of them; there was given to me By the wise and gracious providence of God; a thorn in the flesh A visitation more painful than any thorn sticking in... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:7

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