1.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2.
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Verse 2
A man in Christ; a Christian, referring doubtless to himself.--Caught up; suddenly transported.--The third heaven; the spiritual heaven, the abode of the blessed. It is often thus designated by Jewish writers, to distinguish it from the region of the clouds, which they called the first heaven, and that of the heavenly bodies, which was the second. It is called paradise in 2 Corinthians 12:4.
3.
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4.
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Verse 4
Commentators have indulged themselves in many fanciful speculations in regard to this statement respecting the entrance of the apostle into the spiritual world. We are not, however, authorized to add any thing to the account here given, or to understand by it any thing more than Paul intended that this language should distinctly convey; which is, simply, that he received a special mark and token of the divine favor, in being admitted to an unusual communication with the spiritual world, of the nature and circumstances of which, however, he purposely withholds all information.
5.
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
Verse 5
Of such a one; of one receiving such a proof of the divine regard.--Of myself; of my own personal character and actions.
6.
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Verse 7
The abundance of the revelations; the greatness and extraordinariness of the revelation referred to above.--A thorn in the flesh; some peculiar and long-continued temptation or trial, the nature of which he chose to conceal.
8.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
12.
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Verse 12
Were wrought among you; that is, by him, when he went first to plant the gospel among them.
13.
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Verse 13
This wrong; if this be a wrong, forgive it.
14.
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Verse 14
The third time I am ready, &c. Once he had been among them; a second time he had intended to go, but circumstances had prevented. This, therefore, was the third time of his forming such a design.--The children. They were his children in a spiritual sense.
15.
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Verse 15
Though the more, &c.; that is, even though it should be so.
16.
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
Verse 16
Be it so, I did not, &c.; that is, perhaps it is so said, namely, that I did not burden you, but being crafty, &c. The 2 Corinthians 12:17-21 contain his reply to this supposed charge.
17.
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18.
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19.
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
Verse 19
That we excuse ourselves; that we wish to defend ourselves.
20.
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21.
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.