This chapter 2 Corinthians 11 is connected in its general design with the preceding. The object of Paul is to vindicate himself from the charges which had been brought against him, and especially to vindicate his claims to the apostolic office. It is ironical in its character, and is of course sever... [ Continue Reading ]
WOULD TO GOD - Greek, “I would” (Ὄφελον Ophelon). This expresses earnest desire, but in the Greek there is no appeal to God. The sense would be well expressed by “O that,” or “I earnestly wish.” YE COULD BEAR WITH ME - That you would bear patiently with me; that you would hear me patiently, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I AM JEALOUS OVER YOU - This verse expresses the reason why he was disposed to speak of his attainments, and of what he had done. It was because he loved them, and because he feared that they were in danger of being seduced from the simplicity of the gospel. The phrase “I am jealous” (Ζηλῶ Zēl... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I FEAR - Paul had just compared the church to a virgin, soon to be presented as a bride to the Redeemer. The mention of this seems to have suggested to him the fact that the first woman was deceived and led astray by the tempter, and that the same thing might occur in regard to the church which... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF HE THAT COMETH ... - There is much difficulty in this verse in ascertaining the true sense, and expositors have been greatly perplexed and divided in opinion, especially with regard to the true sense of the last clause, “ye might well bear with him.” It is difficult to ascertain whether Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I SUPPOSE ... - I think that I gave as good evidence that I was commissioned by God as the most eminent of the apostles. In the miracles which I performed; in the abundance of my labors, and in my success, I suppose that I did not fall behind any of them. If so, I ought to be regarded and treate... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THOUGH I BE RUDE IN SPEECH - see the note, 2 Corinthians 10:10. The word rendered “rude” here (ἰδιώτης idiōtēs) means properly a private citizen, in opposition to one in a public station; then a plebeian, or one unlettered or unlearned, in opposition to one of more elevated rank, or one who... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE I COMMITTED AN OFFENCE - Have I done wrong. Greek, “Have I committed a sin.” There is here a somewhat abrupt transition from the previous verse; and the connection is not very apparent. Perhaps the connection is this. “I admit my inferiority in regard to my manner of speaking. But this does not... [ Continue Reading ]
I ROBBED OTHER CHURCHES - The churches of Macedonia and elsewhere, which had ministered to his needs. Probably he refers especially to the church at Philippi (see Philippians 4:15), which seems to have done more than almost any other church for his support. By the use of the word “robbed” here Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN I WAS PRESENT WITH YOU - When I was laboring in order to build up the church in Corinth. I WAS CHARGEABLE TO NO MAN - I was burdensome to no one; or more liter ally,” I did not lie as a dead weight upon you.” The word used here, which occurs nowhere else in the New Testament (κατενάρκησα k... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE TRUTH OF CHRIST IS IN ME - That is, I solemnly declare this as in the presence of Christ. As I am a Christian man; as I feel bound to declare the truth, and as I must answer to Christ. It is a solemn form of asseveration, equal to an oath; see the note on Romans 9:1; compare 1 Timothy 2:7. NO... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE ... - It is not because I do not love you. It is not from pride, or because I would not as willingly receive aid from you as from any other. It is not because I am more unwilling to be under obligation to you than to others. I have a deep and tender attachment to you; but it is because I c... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHAT I DO - The course of life which I have been pursuing I will continue to pursue. That is, I will continue to preach as I have done without demanding a support. I will labor with my own hands if necessary; I will preach without demanding rigidly what I might be entitled to. THAT I MAY CUT OF... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES - They have no claim to the apostolic office. They are deceivers. They pretend to be apostles; but they have no divine commission from the Redeemer. Paul had thus far argued the case without giving them an explicit designation as deceivers. But here he says that people wh... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NO MARVEL - And it is not wonderful, 2 Corinthians 11:15. Since Satan himself is capable of appearing to be an angel of light, it is not to be deemed strange that those who are in his service also should resemble him. FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED ... - That is, he who is an apostate angel; w... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING ... - It is not to be deemed surprising. You are not to wonder if people of the basest, blackest character put on the appearance of the greatest sanctity, and even become eminent as professed preachers of righteousness. WHOSE END SHALL BE ... - Whose final destiny. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAY AGAIN - I repeat it. He refers to what he had said in 2 Corinthians 11:1. The sense is, “I have said much respecting myself which may seem to be foolish. I admit that to boast in this manner of one’s own self in general is folly. But circumstances compel me to it. And I entreat you to look at... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT WHICH I SPEAK - In praise of myself. I SPEAK IT NOT AFTER THE LORD - see the note on 1 Corinthians 7:12. The phrase here may mean either, I do not speak this by inspiration or claiming to be inspired by the Lord; or more probably it may mean, I do not speak this imitating the example of the Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING THAT MANY GLORY ... - The false teachers in Corinth. They boasted of their birth, rank, natural endowments, eloquence, etc.; see 2 Corinthians 11:22. Compare Philippians 3:3. I WILL GLORY ALSO - I also will boast of my endowments, which though somewhat different yet pertain in the main to the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE SUFFER FOOLS GLADLY - You tolerate or endure those who are really fools. This is perhaps, says Dr. Bloomfield, the most sarcastic sentence ever penned by the apostle Paul. Its sense is, “You profess to be wondrous wise. And yet you who are so wise a people, freely tolerate those who are fooli... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE SUFFER ... - You bear patiently with people who impose on you in every way, and who are constantly defrauding you, though you profess to be so wise, and you may bear with me a little, though I have no such intention. Seriously, if you bear with boasters who intend to delude and deceive you in... [ Continue Reading ]
I SPEAK AS CONCERNING REPROACH - I speak of disgrace. That is, says Rosenmuller, “I speak of your disgrace, or, as others prefer it, of the disgrace of the false apostles.” Doddridge regards it as a question. “Do I speak this by way of dishonor, from an envious desire to derogate from my superiors s... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE THEY HEBREWS? - This proves that the persons who had made the difficulty in Corinth were those who were of Hebrew extraction though it may be that they had been born in Greece and had been educated in the Grecian philosophy and art of rhetoric. It is also clear that they prided themselves on bei... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE THEY MINISTERS OF CHRIST? - Though Jews by birth yet they claimed to be the ministers of the Messiah. I SPEAK AS A FOOL - As if he had said, “Bear in mind, in what I am now about to say, that he who speaks is accused of being a fool in boasting. Let it not be deemed improper that I should act i... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE JEWS ... - On this verse and the following verse it is of importance to make a few remarks preliminary to the explanation of the phrases: (1) It is admitted that the particulars here referred to cannot be extracted out of the Acts of the Apostles. A few can be identified, but there are many... [ Continue Reading ]
THRICE WAS I BEATEN WITH RODS - In the Acts of the Apostles there is mention made of his being beaten in this manner but once before the time when this Epistle was written. That occurred at Philippi; Acts 16:22. But there is no reason to doubt that it was more frequently done. This was a frequent mo... [ Continue Reading ]
IN JOURNEYINGS OFTEN - Of course subject to the fatigue, toil, and danger which such a mode of life involves. IN PERILS OF WATERS - In danger of losing my life at sea, or by floods, or by crossing streams. OF ROBBERS - Many of the countries, especially Arabia, through which he traveled, were then... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WEARINESS - Resulting from traveling, exposure, labor, and want. The word κόπος kopos (from κόπτω koptō, “to beat, to cut”) means, properly, “wailing and grief,” accompanied with beating the breast. Hence, the word means “toil, labor, wearisome effort.” AND PAINFULNESS - This word (μόχθος moc... [ Continue Reading ]
BESIDES THOSE THINGS THAT ARE WITHOUT - In addition to these external trials, these trials pertaining to the body, I have mental trials and anxieties resulting from the necessary care of all the churches, But on the meaning of these words commentators are not agreed. Rosenmuller supposes that the ph... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS WEAK ... - I sympathize with all. I feel where others feel, and their sorrows excite deep sympathetic emotions in my bosom. Like a tender and compassionate friend I am affected when I see others in circumstances of distress. The word “weak” here may refer to any lack of strength, any infirmit... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I MUST NEEDS GLORY - It is unpleasant for me to boast, but circumstances have compelled me. But since I am compelled, I will not boast of my rank, or talents, but of that which is regarded by some as an infirmity. MINE INFIRMITIES - Greek, “The things of my weakness.” The word here used is derive... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD AND FATHER ... - Paul was accustomed to make solemn appeals to God for the truth of what he said, especially when it was likely to be called in question; see 2 Corinthians 11:10; compare Romans 9:1. The solemn appeal which he here makes to God is made in view of what he had just said of his... [ Continue Reading ]
IN DAMASCUS - This circumstance is mentioned as an additional trial. It is evidently mentioned as an instance of peril which had escaped his recollection in the rapid account of his dangers enumerated in the previous verses. It is designed to show what imminent danger he was in, and how narrowly he... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THROUGH A WINDOW - That is, through a little door or aperture in the wall; perhaps something like an embrasure, that might have been large enough to allow a man to pass through it. Luke says Acts 9:25 that they let him down “by the wall.” But there is no inconsistency. They doubtless first passe... [ Continue Reading ]