After enumerating, in the former chapter, his almost incredible labours and sufferings for the gospel, the apostle, in this, proceeds to speak of some visions and revelations that had been made to him, as a further proof of his apostleship, and of the regard which ought to be paid to his doctrines,... [ Continue Reading ]
_I knew a man in Christ_ That is, a Christian. He must undoubtedly have meant himself, or the whole article had been quite foreign to his purpose. Indeed, that he meant himself is plain from 2 Corinthians 12:6. _Fourteen years ago_ So long, it seems, the apostle had concealed this extraordinary even... [ Continue Reading ]
_How that he was caught up into paradise_ The seat of happy spirits, in their separate state between death and the resurrection. See note on Luke 23:43. Most of the ancients, (except Origen,) as Clement of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Ireneus, Tertullian, and, among the moderns, Bull, Whitby, Bengeliu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of such a one will I_, or, I might, _glory_ As a person highly favoured of Christ; _yet of myself_ Considered as in myself; _I will not glory_ Willingly; _but in my infirmities_ See on 2 Corinthians 11:30. Instead of boasting of his raptures into the third heaven and into paradise, he will boast of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lest I should be exalted above measure_ Made to think highly of myself, and to put confidence in myself, and thereby should be exposed to the displeasure of him who _resisteth the proud, 1 Peter 5:5_; _through the abundance_ Υπερβολη, _the transcendency, of the revelations_ That is, the number and... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 u... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truly the signs of an apostle_ The signs whereby a person was known to be an apostle, were his performing great and evident miracles openly in the view of the world, especially his healing diseases, his casting out devils, and his speaking foreign languages. But the greatest of all the signs was hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, the third time I am ready_ That is, resolved; _to come to you_ Having purposed it twice before, and been disappointed, 1 Corinthians 16:5; 2 Corinthians 1:15. _And I will not be burdensome to you_ More than formerly; _for I seek not yours, but you_ Not your money or goods, but the salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be it so_, &c. But some may object; though _I did not burden you_ Though I did not take any thing of you myself; yet _being crafty, I caught you with guile_ I did secretly by my messengers what I would not do openly or in person. I answer this lying accusation by appealing to plain fact. _Did I mak... [ Continue Reading ]
_Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves_ That I say all this to insinuate myself into your esteem for any secular ends? _We speak before God in Christ_ As if he had said, I have a higher end in view, namely, the glory of God, in whose presence I speak it; for _we do all things for your edifying_ Y... [ Continue Reading ]