I take pleasure in; I am content to bear them cheerfully ( 2 Corinthians 7:4 ; Romans 5:3 ). Strong ; rather, powerful, mighty . The resemblance to Philo ('Vit. Mos.,' Opp., 1:613, "Your weakness is might") is probably accidental (see 1 Corinthians 15:54 ; Colossians 3:4 ). read more
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
Therefore I take pleasure - Since so many benefits result from trials; since my afflictions are the occasion of obtaining the favor of Christ in so eminent a degree, I rejoice in the privilege of suffering. There is often real pleasure in affliction, paradoxical as it may appear. Some of the happiest persons I have known are those who have been deeply afflicted; some of the purest joys which I have witnessed have been manifested on a sick-bed, and in the prospect of death. And I have no doubt... read more
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
A genuine case for boasting (12:1-10)Before leaving the subject of boasting, Paul wants to give one more example (12:1). Fourteen years previously he had seen a vision, but because he does not want to exalt himself, he speaks about his experience in the third person, referring to himself simply as ‘a man’. By some unknown means he was taken up into Paradise, where he heard and saw things that God does not normally allow people to know (2-4). He is not telling this story so that the Corinthians... read more
unto = to. grace. App-184 . My. The texts omit. strength . Greek dunamis. App-172 . is made perfect . Greek. teleioo. App-125 . Most gladly . Greek. hedista . Neut. Plural Superlative of hedus; used adverbially. power . Greek. dunamis , as above. rest , i.e. as a tent is spread over one. Greek. episkenoo. Only here. John uses skenoo in 2 Corinthians 1:14 . See note there. upon. Greek. epi. App-104 . read more
reproaches = insults. Greek. hubris. See Acts 27:10 . distresses . Greek. steuachoria. See 2 Corinthians 6:4 . for. sake. Greek. huper. App-104 . read more
Wherefore I take pleasure in weakness, injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.Wherefore ... This verse describes Paul's living with the thorn unremoved; and there is not a word of sickness, disease, or near-sightedness, or anything of the kind. It is "injuries, persecutions, etc." of which he speaks; and what were these but the multiplied efforts of the hardened Israel against the gospel of Christ? Nevertheless, Paul... read more
2 Corinthians 12:9. My strength is made perfect in weakness.— "Is illustrated in proportion to the weakness of the instrument I make use of." The word 'Επισκηνωση, which we render, may rest upon, is emphatical, and signifies literally, may pitch its tent upon. See John 1:14. read more
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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