_OUT OF HIS JEALOUSY OVER THE CORINTHIANS, WHO SEEMED TO MAKE MORE ACCOUNT OF THE FALSE APOSTLES THAN OF HIM, THE APOSTLE ENTERETH INTO A FORCED COMMENDATION OF HIMSELF, OF HIS EQUALITY WITH THE CHIEF APOSTLES, OF HIS PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO THEM FREELY, AND WITHOUT PUTTING THEM TO ANY CHARGE: SHEWI... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL COME TO VISIONS, &C.— The Apostle's speaking of his _visions_ and _revelations,_ which, indeed, did him the highest honour, could not be a proof that he was determined not to vindicate himself: it is evident, therefore, that the word γαρ in the original [ελευσομαι γαρ] cannot have its origina... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW A MAN IN CHRIST— St. Paul must undoubtedly mean himself, or the whole article had been quite foreign to his purpose. It hence appears, that the Apostle had concealed this extraordinary event _fourteen years;_ and if this Epistle was written about the year 58, as is supposed, this vision must... [ Continue Reading ]
CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE— By the _third heaven,_ 2 Corinthians 12:2 some understand the seat of the divine glory, the place where Christ dwelleth at the Father's right-hand; and by _Paradise,_ that garden of God, which is the seat of the happy in the intermediatestate,andduringtheirseparationfromtheb... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IN MINE INFIRMITIES— "In those things which carry the marks of weakness, though, in a certain connection, they will appear honourable too.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS GIVEN TO ME A THORN IN THE FLESH,— The conjectures of commentators respecting St. Paul's _thorn in the flesh,_ have been innumerable. We shall not dwell upon them, but insert the following, as it appears to be the most rational interpretation. Ezekiel has a parallel passage, Ezekiel 28:24 where... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, &C.— "For when, viewed in my outward state, I appear weak, then, by the power of Christ, which dwelleth in me, I am found to be strong.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN ALL PATIENCE,— This may well be understood to reflect on the haughtiness and plenty, wherein the false apostle lived among them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THIRD TIME I AM READY, &C.— Having been disappointed twice before, 1 Corinthians 16:5. 2 Corinthians 1:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL VERY GLADLY SPEND AND BE SPENT— "I will gladly exhaust my strength, and put myself to any expence too, for your salvation; though the consequence of all should be, that the more abundantly I love you, the less I should be loved by you." See 2 Timothy 2:10. 1 Thessalonians 2:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BE IT SO, I DID NOT BURDEN YOU, &C.— _But be it so that I did not burden you, yet_ [perhaps it will be suggested] _that, being a crafty deceiver, I circumvented you with guile._... [ Continue Reading ]
I DESIRED TITUS,— "To go to you.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN, THINK YE THAT WE EXCUSE, &C.— He had before given the reason, ch. 2 Corinthians 1:23 for his not coming to them, with the same asseveration as in the present verse. If we trace the thread of St. Paul's discourse, we may observe that, having concluded the justification of himself and his apost... [ Continue Reading ]
LEST THERE BE—ENVYINGS, &C.— All these were the natural consequences of those _debates_ which had arisen among them; and therefore St. Paul, in a very judicious manner, gives this solemn warning with relation to them. _INFERENCES.—_What vicissitudes are there in the Christian's comforts and afflicti... [ Continue Reading ]