2 Corinthians 12:9

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-99

2Co 12 THE REMARK WITH which the Apostle opens chapter 12 again indicates that this speaking about himself was repugnant to him, though he found himself impelled to do it. The New Translation renders it, “Well, it is not of profit to me to boast,” so his thought may have been that what he had to say about himself brought no profit or credit to him. The beatings, the perils, the hunger, the thirst, the nakedness, the infirmities, of which he had just spoken were not the kind of experiences... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Unusual tribulations: v. 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. v. 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. v. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 2 Corinthians 12:1-18

Xv.—his Revelations As A Ground For Boasting (2 Corinthians 12:1 ff.). How He Had Been Kept From Self-exaltation, And Been Led To Glory In His Infirmities (2 Corinthians 12:7 ff.). How He Ought To Have Been Saved The Necessity Of Such Self-commendation By The Corinthians Themselves (2 Corinthians 12:11 ff.)2 Corinthians 12:1-181It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory, [I must needs1 boast: it is not expedient 2for me, for2] I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew [know,... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

2 Corinthians STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS 2Co_12:8-9 This very remarkable page in the autobiography of the Apostle shows us that he, too, belonged to the great army of martyrs who, with hearts bleeding and pierced through and through with a dart, yet did their work for God. It is of little consequence what his thorn in the flesh may have been. The original word suggests very much heavier sorrow than the metaphor of ‘a thorn’ might imply. It really seems to mean not a tiny bit of thorn that might... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

the Secret of Strength 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 It is a sublime phrase- a man in Christ. We reach our full stature only when we are in Him. We are but fragments of manhood until the true man is formed in us. Of course the presence of Jesus is always with us, but its manifestation is reserved for special emergencies, when it is peculiarly needed. It is thought that this supreme revelation was synchronous with Paul’s stoning at Lystra, Acts 14:1-28 . While the poor body was being mangled, his... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

The boasting continues. However, it takes on a new and startling characteristic. In his apostleship there had been something supernatural, something not to be finally explained. Of this, he will glory. As to the method, Paul himself declares his ignorance. However, there was no uncertainty about the great fact that he received revelations not to be accounted for by any merely natural hypotheses, neither were these revelations given to him for communication, for again he affirms that he "heard... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

THE ‘THORN IN THE FLESH’‘For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:8-1 Samuel : Whatever the exact nature of this affliction may have been, there is one point upon which we cannot be mistaken. I. He tells us himself that it seemed to him to be a ‘messenger of Satan.’—It was not merely a suffering. That he could have borne with joy. He has told us... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:9

STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS‘My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9 How can I get this strength? I. In answer to prayer.—‘They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.’ II. It is found in the study of the Bible.—Dr. Doddridge was one day greatly depressed, his very heart desolate within him. But he passed the open door of a cottage, and heard a child reading, ‘As thy days so shall thy strength be.’ It was like life from the dead. He went on his way rejoicing. But we... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:1-13

He Glories in Wondrous Experiences, Dreadful Weakness and The Manifestation of Miracles, In All of Which He Is a Match For His Opponents (2 Corinthians 12:1-13 ) Having stressed the differences between himself and the opposing visiting preachers in that he had been the one who founded their church and first built up a people in Corinth for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2); in that he had brought the Corinthians the true knowledge about Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:6); in that he made it free and... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:9

‘And he has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you: for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may take up its abode on me.’ The reply that at some stage came to him from Christ, and is still effective (perfect tense), was not what he wanted. It was that the thorn would not be removed. Jesus Christ wanted him to remain weak, so that he might remain strong, triumphing over weakness, triumphing over the... read more

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