2 Corinthians 12:9

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 12:9

And he said unto me ,.... Either by what the Jews call קול בת , "Bath Kol", a voice from heaven, an articulate audible one; or by some extraordinary revelation of the Spirit of God; or by a divine impression upon his mind; whereby he was assured of what follows, my grace is sufficient for thee ; the Lord always hears and answers his people sooner or later, in one form or another, though not always in the way and manner they desire; but yet in such a way as is most for his glory and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:9

My grace is sufficient for thee - Thou shalt not be permitted to sink under these afflictions. Thy enemies shall not be able to prevail against thee. My strength is made perfect in weakness - The more, and the more violently, thou art afflicted and tried, being upheld by my power, and prospered in all thy labors, the more eminently will my power be seen and acknowledged. For the weaker the instrument I use, the more the power of my grace shall be manifested. See at the end of this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Verse 9 9.He said to me. It is not certain, whether he had this answer by a special revelation, and it is not of great importance. (910) For God answers us, when he strengthens us inwardly by his Spirit, and sustains us by his consolation, so that we do not give up hope and patience. He bids Paul be satisfied with his grace, and, in the mean time, not refuse chastisement. Hence we must bear up under evil of ever so long continuance, because we are admirably well dealt with, when we have the... 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 12:7-10

The thorn in the flesh. 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me - The Saviour replied. In what way this was done, or whether it was done at the time when the prayer was offered, Paul does not inform us. It is possible, as Macknight supposes, that Christ appeared to him again and spoke to him in an audible manner. Grotius supposes that this was done by the בת קול Bath-qowl - “daughter of the voice,” so frequently referred to by the Jewish writers, and which they suppose to be referred to in 1 Kings 19:12, by the phrase, “a still small... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:8-11

2 Corinthians 12:8-11. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice All kinds of affliction had befallen the apostle, yet none of these did he deprecate. But here he speaks of his thorn in the flesh, as above all the rest one that macerated him with weakness, and by the pain and ignominy of it, prevented his being lifted up more, or at least not less, than the most vehement headache could have done, which many of the ancients say he laboured under. That the Lord to whom the apostle prayed was... read more

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