2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

The Dignity of Suffering 2 Corinthians 12:5 It was a strange catalogue out of which St. Paul made his one solitary 'glory' he, who could boast such learning, such teaching, such influence, such spiritual triumph as never, perhaps, fell to any other man! 'Thrice beaten,' 'stoned,' 'shipwrecked,' 'journeyings,' 'perils,' 'weariness,' 'painfulness,' 'watchings,' 'hunger,' 'thirst,' 'fastings,' 'nakedness,' 'weakness,' 'cares,' 'a thorn'. Never hero goes so low to gather all his laurels. He knew... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

3Chapter 26STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS.2 Corinthians 11:30-33; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (R.V)THE difficulties of exposition in this passage are partly connected with its form, partly with its substance: it will be convenient to dispose of the formal side first. The thirteenth verse of the eleventh chapter-"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness"-seems to serve two purposes. On the one hand, it is a natural and effective climax to all that precedes; it defines the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

3. Revelation in which He Might Glory. His Apostleship. CHAPTER 12 1. Caught up to the Third Heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:1-6 ) 2. The Thorn in the Flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ) 3. The Marks of His Apostleship. (2 Corinthians 12:11-15 ) 4. His Continued Deep Concern. (2 Corinthians 12:16-21 .) In the previous chapter the apostle gloried in that which in the eyes of man has no glory at all. From the ignominious experience of being let down in a basket he turns to another experience in... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:9

12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. {4} Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may {i} rest upon me.(4) He concludes that he will only set his miseries against the vain braggings of the false apostles, and with this also excuses himself, because by their troublesome braggings he was forced to speak as much of those things as he did. That is, because if his apostleship were... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

If in chapter 11 we have seen God's grace in sustaining the vessel through all adversity, Paul now speaks of the other side of this, the grace which gives unspeakable blessedness in being "caught up" above all earthly things and occupations. He speaks of this as "visions and revelations of the Lord." It is not that he is basing any Christian teaching whatever upon this experience, but rather indicating thereby that such things may be in measure known to anyone who is "in Christ." Verse 2 is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTLESHIP At this point Paul begins his personal defense which concludes the epistle. And here we perceive more particularly that interchange of gravity and irony to which reference has been made, and which causes these chapters to be so difficult of explanation. The apostle’s critics had reflected on his personal appearance (2 Corinthians 10:1 ; 2 Corinthians 10:7 ; 2 Corinthians 10:10 ); on what they were pleased to consider his carnality (2 Corinthians 10:3 ); his lack... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

Paul's Self-vindication 2 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Corinthians 12:02 Corinthians 12:0 It was difficult for some of the Corinthians to believe that Paul was an apostle. That comes of a man making himself too familiar with his people. Preachers should hardly ever be seen by some people; they cannot understand the mystery of reaction, they do not comprehend all the suggestiveness and blessedness of free, genial, generous intercourse. Some people can only understand a little of religion when it is... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

(7) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10)... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

A sting of my flesh, [1] an angel, or a messenger of Satan, to buffet me. The Latin word signifies any thing that pricks or stings, the Greek word a sharp stick or pale: he speaks by a metaphor, as also when he says to buffet me; that is, by causing great trouble or pain. Some understand by it a violent headache or pain, or distemper in the body. St. Augustine mentions this opinion, and does not reject it, in Psalm xcviii. tom. 4. p. 1069.; in Psalm cxxx. p. 1465. St. Jerome also speaks of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7-10 The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered to cure... read more