2 Corinthians 12:7-8 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice ,.... With respect to the thorn in the flesh, the messenger Satan, who gave him so much continual disturbance. This sent him to the throne of grace, to request of the Lord, that it , or rather, "he might" depart from me : this request greatly confirms the above sense, for it can hardly be thought the apostle would be so importunate about the removal of a common bodily affliction; and he knew that the corruption of his nature would remain with... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:8

I besought the Lord - That is, Christ, as the next verse absolutely proves, and the Socinians themselves confess. And if Christ be an object of prayer in such a case as this, or indeed in any case, it is a sure proof of his divinity; for only an omniscient Being can be made an object of prayer. Thrice - Several suppose this to be a certain number for an uncertain; as if he had said, I often besought Christ to deliver me from this tormentor: or, which is perhaps more likely, the apostle... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:8

Verse 8 8.For this thing I besought the Lord thrice. Here, also, (907) the number three is employed to denote frequent repetition. (908) He means, however, to intimate, that this annoyance had been felt by him distressing, inasmuch as he had so frequently prayed to be exempted from it. For if it had been slight, or easy to be endured, he would not have been so desirous to be freed from it; and yet he says that he had not obtained this: hence it appears, how much need he had of being humbled. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21