---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse 2 Corinthians 11:1. Would to God ye could bear with me — οφελον ηνειχεσθε μου μικρον. As the word God is not mentioned here, it would have been much"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/2-corinthians/11"
---

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:1](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/1). ***Would to God ye could bear with me*** — οφελον ηνειχεσθε μου μικρον. As the word *God* is not mentioned here, it would have been much better to have translated the passage literally thus: *I* *wish ye could bear a little with me*. The too frequent use of this sacred name produces a *familiarity* with it that is not at all conducive to *reverence* and *godly fear*.
***In*****my*****folly*** — In my *seeming* folly; for, being obliged to vindicate his ministry, it was necessary that he should speak much of himself, his sufferings, and his success. And as this would appear like *boasting*; and boasting is always the effect of an *empty, foolish mind*; those who were not acquainted with the *necessity* that lay upon him to make this defence, might be led to impute it to *vanity*. As if he had said: Suppose you allow this to be *folly*, have the goodness to bear with me; *for though I glory, I* *should not be a fool*, [2 Corinthians 12:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/12/6). *And let no man think me a fool for my boasting*, [2 Corinthians 11:16](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/16).

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/2). ***I am jealous over you***, c.] The apostle evidently alludes either to the שושבינים *shoshabinim* or *paranymphs* among the Hebrews, whose office is largely explained in the notes on [John 3:29](../../../kjv/john/3/29), and the observations at the end of that chapter *"*[John 3:36](../../../kjv/john/3/36)*"* or to the *harmosyni*, a sort of magistrates among the Lacedemonians who had the care of virgins, and whose business it was to see them well *educated*, kept *pure*, and properly *prepared* for married life.
***That I may present*****you as*****a chaste virgin*** — The allusion is still kept up; and there seems to be a reference to [Leviticus 21:14](../../../kjv/leviticus/21/14), that the high priest must not marry any one that was not a *pure* *virgin*. Here, then, *Christ* is the high priest, the *spouse* or *husband*; the *Corinthian Church* the *pure virgin* to be espoused; the *apostle* and his helpers the *shoshabinim*, or *harmosyni*, who had *educated* and *prepared* this virgin for her husband, and espoused her to him. See the observations already referred to at the end of the *third chapter of John*. *"*[John 3:36](../../../kjv/john/3/36)*"*

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:3](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/3). ***As the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty*** — This is a strong reflection on the false apostle and his teaching: he was *subtle*, πανουργος and by his subtlety (πανουργια, from παν, *all*, and εργον, *work*; his *versatility* of character and conduct, his *capability* of *doing all work*, and accommodating himself to the caprices, prejudices, and evil propensities of those to whom he ministered) he was enabled to corrupt the minds of the people from the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ; or, to follow the *metaphor*, he had *seduced* the *pure, chaste, well* *educated virgin*, from her duty, affection, and allegiance to her one only true husband, the high priest, Jesus Christ. And here he seems to intimate that the serpent had seduced the mind of Eve from her affections and allegiance to Adam, her true husband; and certainly from God, her creator and governor. See at the end of the chapter. *"*[2 Corinthians 11:33](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/33)*"*

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:4](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/4). ***For if he that cometh*** — The false apostle, who came *after* St. Paul had left Corinth.
***Preacheth another Jesus*** — Who can save more fully and more powerfully than that Jesus *whom I have preached*.
***Or*****if*****ye receive another spirit*** — And if in consequence of believing in this new saviour ye receive another *spirit*, the gifts, graces, and consolations of which are greater than those which ye have received from the *Holy Ghost*, which has been given to you on your believing on the Christ whom we preached.
***Or another Gospel*** — Containing more privileges, spiritual advantages, and stronger excitements to holiness, than that which we have preached and which ye have accepted, *ye might well bear* *with him*. This would be a sufficient reason why you should not only *bear with him*, but prefer him to me.
Others think that the last clause should be rendered, *Ye might* *well bear with* ME-notwithstanding he brought you another Jesus, spirit, and gospel, ye might bear with me, who have already ministered so long to and done so much for you. But the former sense seems best.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:5](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/5). ***I was not - behind the very chiefest apostles.*** — That is: The most eminent of the apostles have not preached Christ, ministered the spirit, explained and enforced the doctrines of the Gospel in a more powerful and effectual manner than I have done.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:6](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/6). ***But though*****I be*****rude in speech*** — ιδιωτης τω λογω Though I speak like a *common unlettered man*, in plain unadorned phrase, studying none of the graces of eloquence; yet I am not unskilled in the most profound *knowledge* of God, of spiritual and eternal things, of the nature of the human soul, and the sound truths of the Gospel system: ye yourselves are witnesses of this, as in all these things *I have been thoroughly manifested among* *you*.
Inspired men received all their doctrines immediately from God, and often the very *words* in which those doctrines should be delivered to the world; but in general the Holy Spirit appears to have left them to their own language, preventing them from using any expression that might be equivocal, or convey a contrary sense to that which God intended.
That St. Paul wrote a strong, nervous, and sufficiently pure language, his own writings sufficiently testify; but the *graces* of the Greek tongue he appears not to have *studied*, or at least he did not think it proper to use them; for perhaps there is no tongue in the world that is so apt to *seduce the understanding* by its *sounds* and *harmony*, as the Greek. It is not an unusual thing for Greek scholars to the present day to be in raptures with the *harmony* of a *Greek verse*, the sense of which is but little regarded, and perhaps is little worth! I should suppose that God would *prevent* the inspired writers from either speaking or writing thus, that *sound* might not carry the hearer away from *sense*; and that the persuasive force of truth might alone prevail, and the excellence of the power appear to be of God and not of man. Taking up the subject in this point of view, I see no reason to have recourse to the supposition, or *fable* rather, that the apostle had an *impediment in his speech*, and that he alludes to this infirmity in the above passage.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:7](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/7). ***Have I committed an offence in abasing myself*** — Have I transgressed in *labouring with my hands* that I might *not be* *chargeable to you*? and getting my deficiencies supplied by contributions from other Churches, while I was employed in labouring for your salvation? Does your false apostle insinuate that I have disgraced the apostolic office by thus descending to servile labour for my support? Well; I have done this *that you* *might be exalted*-that you might receive the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and be exalted to the highest pitch of intellectual *light* and *blessedness*. And will you complain that I preached the Gospel *gratis* to you? Surely not. The whole passage is truly ironical.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:8](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/8). ***I robbed other Churches*** — This part of the sentence is explained by the latter, *taking wages to do you service*. The word οψωνιον signifies the *pay* of money and provisions given daily to a *Roman soldier*. As if he had said: I received food and raiment, the bare necessaries of life, from other Churches while labouring for *your* salvation. Will *you* esteem this a crime?

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:9](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/9). ***And when I was present with you*** — The particle και which we translate *and*, should be rendered *for* in this place: *For* *when I was with you, and was in want, I was chargeable to no man*. I preferred to be, for a time, even without the *necessaries* of life, rather than be a burden to you. To *whom* was this a reproach, to *me* or to *you*?
***The brethren which came from Macedonia*** — He probably refers to the supplies which he received from the Church at Philippi, which was in *Macedonia*; of which he says, that *in the beginning of the* *Gospel no Church communicated with me, as concerning giving and* *receiving, but you only; for even at Thessalonica ye sent once and* *again to my necessity*, [Philippians 4:15-16](../../../kjv/philippians/4/15-16). See the *Introduction*, sec. vi.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:10](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/10). ***As the truth of Christ is in me*** — εστιν αληθεια χριστου εν εμοι. *The truth of Christ is in me*. That is: I speak as becomes a Christian man, and as influenced by the Gospel of Christ. It is a *solemn form* of *asseveration*, if not to be considered in the sense of an *oath*.
***In the regions of Achaia.*** — The whole of the *Peloponnesus*, or *Morea*, in which the city of Corinth stood. From this it appears that he had received no help from any of the other Churches in the whole of that district.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/11). ***Wherefore*** — Why have I acted thus? and why do I propose to *continue* to act thus? is it *because I love you not*, and will not permit you to contribute to my support? *God knoweth* the contrary; I do most affectionately love you.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:12](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/12). ***But what I do***, c.] I act thus *that I may cut off* *occasion* of glorying, boasting, or calumniating *from them*-the false prophets and his partisans, *who seek occasion*-who would be glad that I should become *chargeable* to you, that it might in some sort vindicate them who exact much from you for they *bring you* *into bondage*, and *devour you*, [2 Corinthians 11:20](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/20).
Nothing could mortify these persons more than to find that the apostle did take nothing, and was resolved to take nothing; while *they* were fleecing the people. It is certain that the passage is not to be understood as though the false apostles took nothing from the people, to whatever disinterestedness they might pretend, for the apostle is positive on the contrary; and he was determined to act so that his example should not authorize these deceivers, who had nothing but their *self-interest* in view, to exact contribution from the people; so that if they continued to boast, they must be *bound even as the apostle*, taking *nothing for their* *labours*; which could never comport with *their* views of gain and secular profit.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:13](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/13). ***For such*****are*****false apostles*** — Persons who *pretend* to be apostles, but have no mission from Christ.
***Deceitful workers*** — They *do* preach and labour, but they have nothing but their *own emolument* in view.
***Transforming themselves*** — Assuming as far as they possibly can, *consistently with their sinister views*, the habit, manner, and doctrine of the apostles of Christ.

Verse 14. ***And no marvel*** — καιουθαυμαστον. And no wonder; it need not surprise you what the *disciples* do, when you consider the character of the *master*.
***Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.*** — As in [2 Corinthians 11:3](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/3) the apostle had the history of the *temptation* and *fall of man* particularly in view, it is very likely that here he refers to the same thing. In what ever *form* Satan appeared to our first mother, his pretensions and professions gave him the appearance of a *good* angel; and by pretending that Eve should get a great increase of *light*, that is, *wisdom* and *understanding*, he *deceived* her, and led her to transgress. It is generally said that Satan has *three forms* under which he tempts men:
1. The *subtle serpent*.
2. The *roaring lion*.
3. The *angel of light*.
He often, as the *angel* *of light*, persuades men to do things under the *name of religion*, which are subversive of it. Hence all the *persecutions, faggots*, and *fires* of a certain Church, under pretence of keeping *heresy* out of the Church; and hence all the *horrors* and *infernalities* of the *inquisition*. In the form of heathen persecution, like a *lion* he has ravaged the heritage of the Lord. And by means of our *senses* and *passions*, as the *subtle serpent*, he is frequently deceiving us, so that often the *workings* of *corrupt nature* are mistaken for the *operations* of the *Spirit* of *God*.

Verse 15. ***Whose end shall be according to their works.*** — A bad *way* leads to a bad *end*. The way of sin is the way to *hell*.

Verse 16. ***Let no man think me a fool*** — See the note on [2 Corinthians 11:1](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/1). As the apostle was now going to enter into a particular detail of his qualifications, natural, acquired, and spiritual; and particularly of his *labours* and *sufferings*; he thinks it necessary to introduce the discourse *once more* as he did [2 Corinthians 11:1](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/1).

Verse 17. ***I speak it not after the Lord*** — Were it not for the *necessity* under which I am laid to vindicate my apostleship, my present glorying would be inconsistent with my Christian profession of *humility*, and knowing no one *after the flesh*.

Verse 18. ***Seeing that many glory after the flesh*** — Boast of *external* and *secular* things.

Verse 19. ***Ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye*****yourselves*****are**********wise.*** — A very fine irony. Ye are so profoundly *wise* as to be able to discern that I am a *fool*. Well, it would be dishonourable to you as *wise men* to fall out with a *fool*; you will therefore gladly bear with his impertinence and foolishness because of your own profound wisdom.

Verse 20. ***For ye suffer*** — As you are so *meek* and *gentle* as to submit to be brought into *bondage*, to have your property *devoured*, your goods *taken* away, yourselves laid in the dust, so that others may *exalt* themselves over you, yea, and will bear from those the most degrading *indignity*; then of course, you will bear with *one* who has never *insulted, defrauded, devoured, taken* of you, *exalted* himself against you, or offered you any kind of indignity; and who only wishes you to bear his confident boasting, concerning matters which he can substantiate.
The expressions in this verse are some evidence that the false apostle was a *Judaizing* teacher. *You suffer*, says the apostle, *if* *a man*, καταδουλοι, *bring you into bondage*, probably meaning to the Jewish *rites* and *ceremonies*, [Galatians 4:9](../../../kjv/galatians/4/9); [Galatians 5:1](../../../kjv/galatians/5/1). *If he devour you*; as the Pharisees did the patrimony of the widows, and for a pretence made long prayers; *if a man take of* *you*, exact different contributions, pretendedly for the temple at Jerusalem, c. *If he exalt himself*, pretending to be of the seed of Abraham, infinitely higher in honour and dignity than all the families of the Gentiles *if he smite you on the face*-treat you with indignity, as the Jews did the Gentiles, considering them only as *dogs*, and not fit to be ranked with any of the descendants of Jacob.

Verse 21. ***I speak as concerning reproach*** — Dr. Whitby thus paraphrases this verse: "That which I said of *smiting you upon the* *face, I speak as concerning* the *reproach* they cast upon you as profane and uncircumcised, whereas *they* all profess to be a holy nation; *as though we had been weak*-inferior to them in these things, not able to ascribe to ourselves those advantages as well as they. *Howbeit, whereinsoever any is bold*, and can justly value himself on these advantages, *I am bold also*, and can claim the same distinctions, though *I speak foolishly* in setting any value on those things; but it is necessary that I should show that such men have not even one *natural good* that they can boast of beyond *me*."

Verse 22. ***Are they Hebrews*** — Speaking the *sacred language*, and *reading* in the congregation from the Hebrew Scriptures? the same is my own language.
***Are they Israelites*** — Regularly descended from *Jacob*, and not from *Esau*? I am also one.
***Are they the seed of Abraham*** — Circumcised, and in the bond of the covenant? *So am I*. I am no *proselyte*, but I am a *Hebrew of* *the Hebrews* both by father and mother; and can trace my genealogy, through the tribe of *Benjamin*, up to the father of the faithful.

Verse 23. ***Are they ministers of Christ*** — So we find that these were professors of Christianity; and that they were genuine *Jews*, and such as endeavoured to incorporate *both* systems, and, no doubt, to oblige those who had believed to be circumcised; and this appears to have been the *bondage* into which they had brought many of the believing Corinthians.
***I*****am*****more*** — More of a minister of Christ than they are, and have given fuller proofs of it. I have suffered persecution for the cross of Christ, and of the *Jews* too; and had I preached up the necessity of *circumcision*, I should have been as free from opposition as these are.
***In labours more abundant*** — Far from sitting down to take my ease in a Church already gathered into Christ; I travel incessantly, preach every where, and at all risks, in order to get the heathen brought from the empire of darkness into the kingdom of God's beloved Son.
***In stripes above measure*** — Being beaten by the *heathen*, who had no particular *rule* according to which they scourged criminals; and we find, from [Acts 16:22](../../../kjv/acts/16/22); [Acts 16:23](../../../kjv/acts/16/23), that they beat Paul *unmercifully* with *many stripes*. See the note on the above passage.
***In prisons more frequent*** — See [Acts 21:11](../../../kjv/acts/21/11), and the whole of the apostle's history; and his long imprisonment of at least *two years* at Rome, [Acts 28:16](../../../kjv/acts/28/16); [Acts 28:30](../../../kjv/acts/28/30). It does not appear that there is any one instance of a false apostle having been imprisoned for the testimony of Christ; this was a badge of the true apostles.
***In deaths oft.*** — That is, in the most imminent dangers. See [1 Corinthians 15:31](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/15/31); [2 Corinthians 4:11](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/4/11). And see the apostle's history in the Acts.

Verse 24. ***Of the Jews five times received I forty*****stripes*****save**********one.*** — That is, he was five times scourged by the Jews, whose law ([Deuteronomy 25:3](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/25/3)) allowed forty stripes; but they, pretending to be lenient, and to act *within the letter* of the law, inflicted but thirty-nine.
To except *one* stripe from the *forty* was a very ancient canon among the Jews, as we learn from *Josephus*, Antiq. lib. iv. ch. viii. sec. 21, who mentions the same thing: πληγας μιας λειπουσης τεσσαπακοντα· *forty stripes, excepting one*.
The *Mishna* gives this as a rule, MISH., *Maccoth*, fol. 22, 10: "How often shall he, the culprit, be smitten? Ans. ארבעים תמר אתר forty stripes, wanting one; i.e. with the number which is highest to forty."
Frequently a man was scourged according to his *ability* to bear the punishment; and it is a canon in the *Mishna*, "That he who cannot bear *forty* stripes should receive only *eighteen*, and yet be considered as having suffered the whole punishment."
They also thought it right to stop under *forty*, lest the person who counted should make a mistake, and the criminal get more than *forty* stripes, which would be injustice, as the law required only *forty*.
The manner in which this punishment was inflicted is described in the *Mishna*, fol. 22, 2: "The two hands of the criminal are bound to a post, and then the servant of the synagogue either pulls or tears off his clothes till he leaves his breast and shoulders bare. A stone or block is placed behind him on which the servant stands; he holds in his hands a scourge made of leather, divided into four tails. He who scourges lays one third on the criminal's *breast*, another third on his *right shoulder*, and another on his *left*. The man who receives the punishment is neither *sitting* nor *standing*, but all the while *stooping*; and the man smites with all his strength, with one hand." The severity of this punishment depends on the nature of the *scourge*, and the *strength* of the executioner.
It is also observed that the Jews did not *repeat* scourgings except for enormous offences. But they had scourged the apostle *five* times; for with those murderers no quarter would be given to the *disciples*, as none was given to the *Master*. See *Schoettgen*.

Verse 25. ***Thrice was I beaten with rods*** — This was under the Roman government, as their *lictors* beat criminals in this way. We hear of the apostle's being treated thus *once*, namely at Philippi, [Acts 16:22](../../../kjv/acts/16/22). See sec. 9 of the introduction.
***Once was I stoned*** — Namely, at *Lystra*, [Acts 14:19](../../../kjv/acts/14/19), c.
***A night and a day I have been in the deep*** — To what this refers we cannot tell it is generally supposed that in some shipwreck not on record the apostle had saved himself on a plank, and was a whole day and night on the sea, tossed about at the mercy of the waves. Others think that βυθος, the deep, signifies a *dungeon* of a terrible nature at *Cyzicum*, in the *Propontis*, into which Paul was cast as he passed from Troas. But this is not likely.

Verse 26. **In*****journeyings often*** — He means the particular journeys which he took to different places, for the purpose of propagating the Gospel.
**In*****perils of waters*** — Exposed to great dangers in crossing *rivers*; for of *rivers* the original, ποταμων, must be understood.
***Of robbers*** — Judea itself, and perhaps every other country, was grievously infested by banditti of this kind; and no doubt the apostle in his frequent peregrinations was often attacked, but, being *poor* and having nothing to lose, he passed unhurt, though not without great danger.
**In*****perils by*****mine own*****countrymen*** — The Jews had the most rooted antipathy to him, because they considered him an *apostate* from the true faith, and also the means of perverting many others. There are several instances of this in the Acts; and a remarkable conspiracy against his life is related, [Acts 23:12](../../../kjv/acts/23/12), c.
**In*****perils by the heathen*** — In the heathen provinces whither he went to preach the Gospel. Several instances of these perils occur also in the *Acts*.
**In*****perils in the city*** — The different seditions raised against him particularly in *Jerusalem*, to which *Ephesus* and *Damascus* may be added.
***Perils in the wilderness*** — Uninhabited countries through which he was obliged to pass in order to reach from city to city. In such places it is easy to imagine many dangers from banditti, wild beasts, cold, starvation, &c.
***Perils in the sea*** — The different voyages he took in narrow seas, such as the Mediterranean, about dangerous coasts, and without *compass*.
***False brethren*** — Persons who joined themselves to the Church, pretending faith in Christ, but intending to act as *spies*, hoping to get some matter of accusation against him. He no doubt suffered much also from *apostates*.

Verse 27. ***In weariness and painfulness*** — Tribulations of this kind were his constant companions. Lord Lyttleton and others have made useful reflections on this verse: "How hard was it for a man of a genteel and liberal education, as St. Paul was, to bear such rigours, and to wander about like a vagabond, hungry and almost naked, yet coming into the presence of persons of high life, and speaking in large and various assemblies on matters of the utmost importance!" Had not St. Paul been deeply convinced of the truth and absolute certainty of the Christian religion, he could not have continued to expose himself to such hardships.

Verse 28. ***Beside those things that are without*** — Independently of all these outward things, I have innumerable troubles and mental oppressions.
***Which cometh upon me*** — Ἡ επισυατασις· *This continual press* of business; this *insurrection* of cases to be heard, solved, and determined, relative to the doctrine, discipline, state, persecution, and supply of all the Churches.
All his perils were little in comparison of what he felt relative to the peace, government, and establishment of all the Churches among the Gentiles; for as he was the apostle of the Gentiles, the government of all the Churches among these fell in some sort on him, whether they were of his own planting or of the planting of others. See [Colossians 2:1](../../../kjv/colossians/2/1). None but a conscientious minister, who has at heart the salvation of souls, can enter into the apostle's feelings in this place.

Verse 29. ***Who is weak*** — What Church is there under persecution, with which I do not immediately sympathize? or who, from his *weakness* in the *faith*, and *scrupulousness* of conscience, is likely to be stumbled, or turned out of the way, to whom I do not condescend, and whose burden I do not bear?
***Who is offended*** — Or likely to be turned out of the way, *and I* *burn not* with zeal to restore and confirm him? This seems to be the sense of these different questions.

Verse 30. ***I will glory - which concern mine infirmities.*** — I will not boast of my *natural* or *acquired powers*; neither in what *God* has done by me; but rather in what I have *suffered* for *him*.
Many persons have understood by *infirmities* what they call *the* *indwelling sin* of the apostle, and say that "he gloried in this, because the grace of Christ was the more magnified in his being preserved from ruin, notwithstanding this indwelling adversary." And to support this most unholy interpretation, they quote those other words of the apostle, [2 Corinthians 12:9](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/12/9): *Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities*, my indwelling corruptions, *that the power of Christ*, in chaining the fierce lion, *may rest upon me*. But it would be difficult to produce a single passage in the whole New Testament where the word ασθενεια, which we translate *infirmity*, has the sense of *sin* or *moral corruption*. The verb ασθενεω signifies to be *weak, infirm,* *sick, poor, despicable* through *poverty*, c. And in a few places it is applied to *weakness in the faith*, to *young converts*, who are poor in religious knowledge, not yet fully instructed in the nature of the Gospel; [Romans 4:19](../../../kjv/romans/4/19); [Romans 14:1](../../../kjv/romans/14/1), [Romans 14:2](../../../kjv/romans/14/2). And it is applied to the works of the law, to point out their *inability* to *justify* a sinner, [Romans 8:3](../../../kjv/romans/8/3). But to *inward sin*, and *inward corruption* it is never applied. I am afraid that what these persons call their *infirmities* may rather be called their *strengths*; the *prevailing* and *frequently* *ruling* power of pride, anger, ill-will, c. for how few think *evil tempers* to be *sins*! The gentle term *infirmity* softens down the iniquity; and as St. Paul, so great and so holy a man, say they, had his infirmities, how can they expect to be without theirs? These should know that they are in a dangerous error; that St. Paul means nothing of the kind; for he speaks of his *sufferings*, and of these alone. One word more: would not the *grace* and *power* of *Christ* appear more conspicuous in *slaying* *the lion* than in keeping him *chained*? in *destroying sin, root* and *branch*; and filling the soul with his own *holiness*, with *love* *to God and man*, with the *mind*-all the *holy heavenly tempers*, that were in *himself*; than in leaving these impure and unholy tempers, ever to *live* and *often* to *reign* in the heart? The doctrine is discreditable to the Gospel, and wholly antichristian.

Verse 31. ***The God and Father of our Lord*** — Here is a very solemn *asseveration*; an *appeal* to the *ever blessed God* for the truth of what he asserts. It is something similar to his *asseveration* or *oath* in ver. 10 of this chapter; [2 Corinthians 11:10](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/10) see also [Romans 9:5](../../../kjv/romans/9/5), and [Galatians 1:20](../../../kjv/galatians/1/20). And from these and several other places we learn that the apostle thought it right thus to *confirm* his assertions on these particular occasions. But here is nothing to countenance profane swearing, or taking the name of God in vain, as many do in *exclamations*, when surprised, or on hearing something unexpected, c. and as others do who, conscious of their own *falsity*, endeavour to gain credit by appeals to God for the truth of what they say. St. Paul's *appeal to God* is in the same spirit as his most earnest *prayer*. This solemn appeal the apostle makes in reference to what he mentions in the following verses. This was a fact not yet generally known.

Verse 32. ***In Damascus the governor under Aretas*** — For a description of Damascus see the note on *"*[Acts 9:2](../../../kjv/acts/9/2)*"*. And for the transaction to which the apostle refers see [Acts 9:23](../../../kjv/acts/9/23). As to King *Aretas*, there were three of this name. The *first* is mentioned *2 Maccab. v. 8*. The *second* by *Josephus*, Antiq. l. xiii. c. 15, sec. 2; and l. xvi. c. 1, sec. 4. The *third*, who is the person supposed to be referred to here, was the father-in-law of Herod Antipas, of whom see the notes, *"*[Acts 9:23](../../../kjv/acts/9/23)*"*, c.
But it is a question of some importance, How could Damascus, a city of *Syria*, be under the government of an Arabian king? It may be accounted for thus: Herod Antipas, who married the daughter of Aretas, divorced her, in order to marry Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Aretas, on this indignity offered to his family, made war upon Herod. Herod applied to *Tiberius* for help, and the emperor sent *Vitellius* to reduce Aretas, and to bring him alive or dead to Rome. By some means or other Vitellius delayed his operations, and in the meantime Tiberius died and thus Aretas was snatched from ruin, Joseph., Antiq. lib. xviii. c. 5. What Aretas did in the interim is not known; but it is conjectured that he availed himself of the then favourable state of things, made an irruption into Syria, and seized on Damascus. See *Rosenmuller*; and see the introduction to this epistle, sec. ii.
***The governor*** — εθναρχης. Who this ethnarch was, we cannot tell. The word *ethnarch* signifies the governor of a province, under a king or emperor.
***Desirous to apprehend me*** — The enemies of the apostle might have represented him to the governor as a dangerous spy, employed by the *Romans*.

Verse [2 Corinthians 11:33](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/33). ***Through a window in a basket*** — Probably the house was situated on the wall of the city. See the notes on this history, [Acts 9:23-25](../../../kjv/acts/9/23-25).
IN ver. 2 of this chapter [2 Corinthians 11:2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/11/2) the apostle most evidently alludes to the history of the *temptation*, and *fall* of Adam and Eve, as related in [Genesis 3:1](../../../kjv/genesis/3/1), c. and which fall is there attributed to the agency of a being called נחש *nachash*, here, and in other places, translated οφις, *serpent*. In my notes on Genesis I have given many, and, as I judge, solid reasons, why the word cannot be understood *literally* of a *serpent* of any kind; and that most probably a creature of the *simia* or *ape* genus was employed by the devil on this occasion. The arguments on this subject appeared to me to be corroborated by innumerable probabilities; but I left the *conjecture* afloat, (for I did not give it a more decisive name,) and placed it in the hands of my readers to adopt, reject, or amend, as their judgments might direct them. To several this sentiment appeared a monstrous *heresy*! and speedily the *old serpent* had a host of *defenders*. The very modest opinion, or *conjecture*, was controverted by some who were both *gentlemen* and *scholars*, and by several who were *neither*; by some who could not affect *candour* because they had not even the *appearance* of it, but would affect *learning* because they wished to be reputed *wise*. What *reason* and *argument* failed to produce they would supply with *ridicule*; and as *monkey* was a convenient term for this purpose, they attributed it to him who had never used it. What is the result? They no doubt believe that they have established their system; and their arguments are to *them* conclusive. They have my full consent; but I think it right to state that I have neither seen nor heard of any thing that has the *least tendency to weaken* *my conjecture*, or produce the *slightest* wavering in my opinion. Indeed their arguments, and mode of managing them, have produced a very different effect on my mind to what they designed. I am now more firmly persuaded of the probability of my *hypothesis* than ever. I shall, however, leave the subject as it is: I never proposed it as an *article of faith*; I press it on no man. I could fortify it with many additional arguments if I judged it proper; for its *probability* appears to me as strong as the utter *improbability* of the common opinion, to defend which its abettors have descended to insupportable conjectures, of which infidels have availed themselves, to the discredit of the sacred writings. To those who choose to be *wise* and *witty*, and wish to provoke a controversy, this is my answer: *I am doing a great work, so that I* *cannot come down*. *Why should the work cease, while I leave it* and *come* DOWN *to* YOU? [Nehemiah 6:3](../../../kjv/nehemiah/6/3).

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