2 Corinthians 12:1

2Co 12:1-21. 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. 1. He proceeds to illustrate the "glorying in infirmities" (2Co 11:30). He gave one instance which might expose him to ridicule (2Co 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 1Sa 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 (Da 2:19, 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, 2Co 12:2.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Introduction to 2nd Corinthians Chapter 12

THIS chapter is a continuation of the same general subject which was discussed in the two previous chapters. The general design of the apostle is to defend himself from the charges brought against him in Corinth; and especially, as would appear, from the charge that he had no claims to the character of an apostle. In the previous chapters he had met these charges, and had shown that he had just cause to be bold towards them; that he had in his life given evidence that he was called to this work; and especially that by his successes and by his sufferings he had shown that he had evidence that he had been truly engaged in the work of the Lord Jesus. This chapter contains the following subjects :--

(1.) Paul appeals to another evidence that he was engaged in the apostolic office--an evidence to which none of his accusers could appeals that he had been permitted to behold the glories of the heavenly world, 2Cor 12:1-10. In the previous chapter he had mentioned his trials. Here he says, (2Cor 12:1) that as they had compelled him to boast, he would mention the revelation which he had had of the Lord. He details, therefore, the remarkable vision which he had had several years before, (2Cor 12:2-4,) when he was caught up to heaven, and permitted to behold the wonders there. Yet he says, that lest such an extraordinary manifestation should exalt him above measure, he was visited with a sore and peculiar trial--a trial from which he prayed earnestly to be delivered, but that he received answer that the grace of God would be sufficient to support him, 2Cor 12:5-9. It was in view of this, he says, (2Cor 12:10,) that he had pleasure in infirmities and sufferings in the cause of the Redeemer.

(2.) He then (2Cor 12:11,12) sums up what he had said; draws the conclusion that he had given every sign or evidence that he was an apostle; that in all that pertained to toil, and patience, and miracles, he had shown that he was commissioned by the Saviour; though with characteristic modesty he said he was nothing.

(3.) He then expresses his purpose to come again and see them, and his intention then not to be burdensome to them, 2Cor 12:13-15. He was willing to labour for them, and to exhaust his strength in endeavouring to promote their welfare without receiving support from them; for he regarded himself in the light of a father to them, and it was not usual for children to support their parents.

(4.) In connexion with this, he answers another charge against himself. Some accused him of being crafty; that though he did not burden them, yet he knew well how to manage so as to secure what he wanted without burdening them, or seeming to receive anything from them, 2Cor 12:16. To this he answers by an appeal to fact. Particularly he appeals to the conduct of Titus when with them, in full proof that he had no such design, 2Cor 12:17-19.

(5.) In the conclusion of the chapter he expresses his fear that when he should come among them he would find much that would humble them, and give him occasion for severity of discipline, 2Cor 12:20,21. This apprehension is evidently expressed in order that they might be led to examine themselves, and to put away whatever was wrong.

Verse 1. It is not expedient. It is not well; it does not become me. This may either mean that he felt and admitted that it did not become him to boast in this manner; that there was an impropriety in his doing it, though circumstances had compelled him--and in this sense it is understood by nearly, or quite, all expositors; or it may be taken ironically: "Such a man as I am ought not to boast. So you say, and so it would seem. A man who has done no more than I have; who has suffered nothing; who has been idle and at ease as I have been, ought surely not to boast. And since there is such an evident impropriety in my boasting and speaking about myself, I will turn to another matter, and inquire whether the same thing may not be said about visions and revelations. I will speak, therefore, of a man who had some remarkable revelations, and inquire whether he has any right to boast of the favours imparted to him." This seems to me to be the probable interpretation of this passage.

To glory. To boast, 2Cor 10:8,13, 11:10. One of the charges which they alleged against him was, that he was given to boasting without any good reason. After the enumeration in the previous chapter of what he had done and suffered, he says that this was doubtless very true. Such a man has nothing to boast of.

I will come. Marg., "For I will." Our translators have omitted the word (γαρ) for in the text, evidently supposing that it is a mere expletive. Doddridge renders it, "nevertheless." But it seems to me that it contains an important sense, and that it should be rendered by THEN: "Since it is not fit that I should glory, then I will refer to visions, etc. I will turn away, then, from that subject, and come to another." Thus the word (γαρ) is used in Jn 7:41, "Shall, THEN, (μηγαρ) Christ come out of Galilee?" Acts 8:31, "How can I, THEN, (πωςγαρ) except some man should guide me" See also Acts 19:35, Rom 3:3, Php 1:18.

To visions. The word vision is used in the Scriptures often to denote the mode in which Divine communications were usually made to men. This was done by causing some scene to appear to pass before the mind as in a landscape, so that the individual seemed to see a representation of what was to occur in some future period. It was usually applied to prophecy, and is often used in the Old Testament. Isa 1:1, and also Acts 9:10. The vision which Paul here refers to was that which he was permitted to have of the heavenly world, 2Cor 12:4. He was permitted to see what perhaps no other mortal had seen, the glory of heaven.

And revelations of the Lord. Which the Lord had made. Or it may mean manifestations which the Lord had made of himself to him. The word rendered revelations means, properly, an uncovering, αποκαλυψεις, from αποκαλυπτω, to uncover; and denotes a removal of the vail of ignorance and darkness, so that an object may be clearly seen; and is thus applied to truth revealed, because the obscurity is removed, and the truth becomes manifest.

(1) "I will come" "For I will"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Introduction

St. Paul mentions some wonderful revelations which he had received from the Lord, 2Cor 12:1-5. He speaks of his suffering in connection with these extraordinary revelations, that his character might be duly estimated, 2Cor 12:6. That he might not be too much exalted, a messenger of Satan is sent to buffet him; his prayer for deliverance, and the Divine answer, 2Cor 12:7-9. He exults in sufferings and reproaches, and vindicates his apostleship, 2Cor 12:10-13. Promises to come and visit them, 2Cor 12:14, 2Cor 12:15. Answers some objections, 2Cor 12:16-18. And expresses his apprehensions that when he visits them he shall find many evils and disorders among them, 2Cor 12:19-21. Verse 1 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain