CHAPTER 12 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. That the Corinthians may esteem him above the false apostles, he describes his being carried up into the third heaven. II. He goes on to say (ver. 7) that to prevent his being puffed up a thorn in the flesh was given him; for strength is made perfect in weakn... [ Continue Reading ]
_I knew a man in Christ._ A Christian. He thus describes him, says Theophylact, that it may be clear that Paul was taken up by the grace of Christ, and not, like Simon Magus, by the power of the devil. _Above fourteen years ago._ Hence we conclude that this rapture of S. Paul took place about nine... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell._ S. Athanasius (_Serm._ 4 _contra Arian_.) thinks that Paul knew the mode in which he was caught up, yet says: "I do not know," or, "I cannot tell;" because he could not reveal it to others, in the same way that Christ, in S. Mark 13:32, says th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of such an one will I glory; yet of myself I will not glory._ He speaks of himself when caught up and in his ordinary state as two different persons, so as not to be thought vain-glorious (Œcumenius). _But in mine infirmities._ My calamities, my sufferings. By a common Hebrew metonymy "infirmity... [ Continue Reading ]
_But now I forbear lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be._ Lest he should think me an angel or some god, as the Lycaonians did (Act 14:10). He could have related more wonderful things about himself, but modesty and humility cause him to conceal them. "All the Saints," sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this thing I besought the Lord thrice_... _and He said unto me._ Three is the number symbolic of multitude and universality. The answer meant that though he was weak in himself, yet in God he might be strong enough to overcome this temptation. It, hence appears that Paul was not heard, and was... [ Continue Reading ]
_For my strength is made perfect in weakness._ This is a general proposition, a moral axiom applying to any weakness, but properly and primarily to that thorn of concupiscence just mentioned. These are the words of God in answer to the prayers of S. Paul. The greater the temptation of the flesh is,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities._ Not because they are desirable in themselves, but in so far as through them the power of Christ is perfected. He then goes on, as I said before, to mention what is included under the generic term _infirmity_. _For when I am weak then am I strong._ When I a... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am become a fool in glorying._ I seem to have done foolishly in praising myself, but you, who had of me a lower opinion than you ought, and who gave more credence to the false apostles than to me, have compelled me to recover my influence over you by thus praising myself. _Though I be nothing._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold the third time._ The first visit was when he converted them; the second time he was ready to start, but postponed his visit for good reasons; the third occasion was at the time of his writing, and took place actually afterwards (S. Thomas and Lyranus). _For the children ought not to lay up f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Being crafty, I caught you with guile._ S. Thomas (ii. ii. qu. 55, art. 4, ad. 1) thinks that craftiness and guile are here used in a good sense, as much as to say, with cunning, skill, and prudent caution did I convert you from heathenism to Christianity. But I should say that these are words used... [ Continue Reading ]
_Did I make a gain of you_? Did I defraud you, and extort your money from you? Or with Vatablus, Did I fleece you? Or, with Ambrose, Was I covetous towards you? VER. 19. _Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you_? For _again_ the Latin version has "of old time." There are some among you who... [ Continue Reading ]
_I fear_... _lest there be wraths_. _θυμός_ with the Greeks that part of the mind which is called the irascible faculty, placed by Plato in the heart, and opposed to reason, which has for its seat the brain. Thence the word is applied to angry quarrellings, audacious arrogance, irascible conduct, wh... [ Continue Reading ]