II Corinthians 12
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
It is not expedient for me - There are several various readings on this verse which are too minute to be noticed here; they seem in effect to represent the verse thus: "If it be expedient to glory, (which does not become me), I will proceed to visions," etc. The plain meaning of the apostle, in this and the preceding chapter, in reference to glorying is, that though to boast in any attainments, or in what God did by him, was in all possible cases to be avoided, as being contrary to the humility and simplicity of the Gospel; yet the circumstances in which he was found, in reference to the Corinthian Church, and his detractors there, rendered it absolutely necessary; not for his personal vindication, but for the honor of the Gospel, the credit of which was certainly at stake. I will come to visions - Οπτασιας· Symbolical representations of spiritual and celestial things, in which matters of the deepest importance are exhibited to the eye of the mind by a variety of emblems, the nature and properties of which serve to illustrate those spiritual things. Revelations - Αποκαλυψεις· A manifestation of things not before known, and such as God alone can make known, because they are a part of his own inscrutable counsels.
Open source ↗REVELATIONS IN WHICH HE MIGHT GLORY: BUT HE RATHER GLORIES IN INFIRMITIES, AS CALLING FORTH CHRIST'S POWER: SIGNS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP: HIS DISINTERESTEDNESS: NOT THAT HE IS EXCUSING HIMSELF TO THEM; BUT HE DOES ALL FOR THEIR GOOD, LEST HE SHOULD FIND THEM NOT SUCH AS HE DESIRED, AND SO SHOULD HAVE TO BE SEVERE AT HIS COMING. (2Co. 12:1-21) He proceeds to illustrate the "glorying in infirmities" (Co2 11:30). He gave one instance which might expose him to ridicule (Co2 11:33); he now gives another, but this one connected with a glorious revelation of which it was the sequel: but he dwells not on the glory done to himself, but on the infirmity which followed it, as displaying Christ's power. The oldest manuscripts read, "I MUST NEEDS boast (or glory) though it be not expedient; for I will come." The "for" gives a proof that it is "not expedient to boast": I will take the case of revelations, in which if anywhere boasting might be thought harmless. "Visions" refers to things seen: "revelations," to things heard (compare Sa1 9:15) or revealed in any way. In "visions" their signification was not always vouchsafed; in "revelations" there was always an unveiling of truths before hidden (Dan 2:19, Dan 2:31). All parts of Scripture alike are matter of inspiration; but not all of revelation. There are degrees of revelation; but not of inspiration. of--that is, from the Lord; Christ, Co2 12:2.
Open source ↗It is not expedient doubtless for me to glory,.... Though it was lawful for him to glory, and was necessary in the present circumstances of things, in vindication of himself, and to preserve the Corinthians from being carried away with the insinuations of the false apostles; and so for the honour and interest of Christ and the Gospel; yet it was not expedient on some other accounts, or profitable and serviceable to himself; he might find that it tended to stir up pride, vanity, and elation of mind in him, and might be interpreted by others as proud boasting and vain glorying; wherefore he chose to drop it, and pass on to another subject; or rather though it was not expedient to proceed, yet, before he entirely quitted it, he thought it proper to say something of the extraordinary appearances of God unto him. Some copies, and the Vulgate Latin version, read, "if there was need of glorying, it is not indeed expedient"; the Syriac version, "there is need of glorying, but it is not expedient"; and the Arabic version, "neither have I need to glory, nor is it expedient for me: I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord"; such as the Lord had made to him, and not man; and which were not the fruit of his own fancy, or the delusions of Satan; but were from the Lord Jesus Christ, and his glory. The apostle might very well speak of "visions" or heavenly appearances, since he was favoured with many; his conversion was owing to a vision or appearance of Christ to him, whom he saw with his bodily eyes, and heard him speaking to him, and which he calls "the heavenly vision"; at another time when at Troas, a vision appeared to him in the night, and a man of Macedonia stood and prayed him to come over and help them; and when at Corinth the Lord spoke to him by a vision, and bid…
Open source ↗Here we may observe, I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1. Of the honour itself which was done to the apostle: he was caught up into the third heaven, Co2 12:2. When this was we cannot say, whether it was during those three days that he lay without sight at his conversion or at some other time afterwards, much less can we pretend to say how this was, whether by a separation of his soul from his body or by an extraordinary transport in the depth of contemplation. It would be presumption for us to determine, if not also to enquire into, this matter, seeing the apostle himself says, Whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell. It was certainly a very extraordinary honour done him: in some sense he was caught up into the third heaven, the heaven of the blessed, above the aerial heaven, in which the fowls fly, above the starry heaven, which is adorned with those glorious orbs: it was into the third heaven, where God most eminently manifests his glory. We are not capable of knowing all, nor is it fit we should know very much, of the particulars of that glorious place and state; it is our duty and interest to give diligence to make sure to ourselves a mansion there; and, if that be cleared up to us, then we should long to be removed thither, to abide there for ever. This third heaven is called paradise (Co2 12:4), in allusion to the earthly paradise out of which Adam was driven for his transgression; it is called the paradise of God (Rev 2:7), signifying to us that by Christ we are restored to all the joys and honours we lost by sin, yea, to much better. The apostle does not mention what he saw in the t…
Open source ↗12:1-7 Paul’s accusers at Corinth leveled the charge that Paul did not have ecstatic spiritual experiences. He was no mystic, they said, but a plain person with no impressive gift (see 10:10). So even though Paul’s authority did not come from visions and revelations from the Lord, he reveals his secret that he did, in fact, have such experiences. 12:1 This boasting will do no good: See study note on 11:21b-29.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
συμφέρω (symphérō, G4851) — to bear together (contribute), i.e. (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce;… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μοί (moí, G3427) — to me δή (dḗ, G1211) — a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc. καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὀπτασία (optasía, G3701) — visuality, i.e. (concretely) an apparition καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀποκάλυψις (apokálypsis, G602) — disclosure κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…
Open source ↗εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to δεκατέσσαρες (dekatéssares, G1180) — ten and four, i.e. fourteen ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐκτός (ektós, G1622) — the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very τοιοῦτος (toioûtos, G5108) — truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality) ἁρπάζω (harpázō, G726) — to seize (in various applications)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… τοιοῦτος (toioûtos, G5108) — truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively ἐκτός (ektós, G1622) — the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἁρπάζω (harpázō, G726) — to seize (in various applications) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… παράδεισος (parádeisos, G3857) — a park, i.e. (specially), an Eden (place of future happiness, "paradise") καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ἄῤῥητος (árrhētos, G731) — unsaid, i.e. (by implication) inexpressible ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἔξεστι (éxesti, G1832) — so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of G1510 (εἰμί)… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words
Open source ↗ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… τοιοῦτος (toioûtos, G5108) — truly this, i.e. of this sort (to denote character or individuality) καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐμαυτοῦ (emautoû, G1683) — of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄφρων (áphrōn, G878) — properly, mindless, i.e. stupid, (by implication) ignorant, (specially) egotistic,… ἐρέω (eréō, G2046) — an alternate for G2036 (ἔπω) in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. φείδομαι (pheídomai, G5339) — to be chary of, i.e. (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object λογίζομαι (logízomai, G3049) — to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not ὑπεραίρομαι (hyperaíromai, G5229) — to raise oneself over, i.e. (figuratively) to become haughty ὑπερβολή (hyperbolḗ, G5236) — a throwing beyond others, i.e. (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with G1519… ἀποκάλυψις (apokálypsis, G602) — disclosure δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me σκόλοψ (skólops, G4647) — withered at the front, i.e. a point or prickle (figuratively, a bodily annoyance or… σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… Σατᾶν (Satân, G4566) — Satan, i.e. the devil ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) κολαφίζω (kolaphízō, G2852) — to rap with the fist μέ (mé, G3165) — me
Open source ↗ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… τρίς (trís, G5151) — three times ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἀφίστημι (aphístēmi, G868) — to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert,… ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐρέω (eréō, G2046) — an alternate for G2036 (ἔπω) in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say μοί (moí, G3427) — to me μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ἀρκέω (arkéō, G714) — properly, to ward off, i.e. (by implication) to avail (figuratively, be satisfactory) σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… τελειόω (teleióō, G5048) — to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty ἥδιστα (hḗdista, G2236) — with great pleasure οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
Open source ↗διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently εὐδοκέω (eudokéō, G2106) — to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty ὕβρις (hýbris, G5196) — insolence (as over-bearing), i.e. insult, injury ἀνάγκη (anánkē, G318) — constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress διωγμός (diōgmós, G1375) — persecution στενοχωρία (stenochōría, G4730) — narrowness of room, i.e. (figuratively) calamity ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense) τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
Open source ↗γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἄφρων (áphrōn, G878) — properly, mindless, i.e. stupid, (by implication) ignorant, (specially) egotistic,… καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense) ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ἀναγκάζω (anankázō, G315) — to necessitate μέ (mé, G3165) — me γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… συνιστάω (synistáō, G4921) — to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ὑστερέω (hysteréō, G5302) — to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient)
Open source ↗μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… κατεργάζομαι (katergázomai, G2716) — to work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τέρας (téras, G5059) — a prodigy or omen δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἡττάω (hēttáō, G2274) — to make worse, i.e. vanquish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to rate lower ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… λοιποί (loipoí, G3062) — remaining ones ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καταναρκάω (katanarkáō, G2655) — to grow utterly torpid, i.e. (by implication) slothful (figuratively, expensive) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; τρίτος (trítos, G5154) — third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἑτοίμως (hetoímōs, G2093) — in readiness ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… καταναρκάω (katanarkáō, G2655) — to grow utterly torpid, i.e. (by implication) slothful (figuratively, expensive) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
And the Spirit lifted me up and carried me back to Chaldea, to the exiles in the vision given by the Spirit of God. After the vision had gone up from me,
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.
And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.