Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Corinthians
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 12
Overview:
The
Apostle's revelations.
(1-6) Which were improved to his
spiritual advantage.
(7-10) The signs of an
Apostle were in him,
His purpose of making them a visit; but he expresses his fear
lest he should have to be severe with some.
(11-21)
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.
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.
11-21 We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of
their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those
from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual
benefit, to own them as instruments in
God's
Hand of good to us.
Here is an account of the
Apostle's behaviour and kind
intentions; in which see the character of a
Faithful Minister of
the
Gospel. This was his great aim and design, to do good. Here
are noticed several sins commonly found among professors of
religion. Falls and misdeeds are humbling to a
Minister; and
God
sometimes takes this way to humble those who might be tempted to
be lifted up. These vast verses show to what excesses the false
teachers had drawn aside their deluded followers. How grievous
it is that such evils should be found among professors of the
Gospel! Yet thus it is, and has been too often, and it was
So
even in the days of the apostles.