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Scott's Reference Library
2 Corinthians 12:2 through 2 Corinthians
12:10 (NIV)
2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third
heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not
know, but God knows—4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things,
things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that,
but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I should
choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth.
But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or
say.
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great
revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to
torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But
he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so
that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight
in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For
when I am weak, then I am strong.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-6
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.
VERSES 7-10
The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to
prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and
revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether
some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out
of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God
loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual
burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to
be a messenger of Satan which he sent for evil; but God designed it, and
overruled it for good. Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every
malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give
ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the
second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and
are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer. Though God accepts the
prayer of faith, yet he does not always give what is asked for: as he sometimes
grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. When God does not take away our
troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no
reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is
enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all
afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus
his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we
are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak
in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most
the supplies of Divine strength and grace.