mh_parser/vol_split/47 - 2Corinthians/Chapter 12.xml

<div2 id="iiCor.xiii" n="xiii" next="iiCor.xiv" prev="iiCor.xii" progress="54.24%" title="Chapter XII">
<h2 id="iiCor.xiii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiCor.xiii-p0.2">CHAP. XII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCor.xiii-p1">In this chapter the apostle proceeds in
maintaining the honour of his apostleship. He magnified his office
when there were those who vilified it. What he says in his own
praise was only in his own justification and the necessary defence
of the honour of his ministry, the preservation of which was
necessary to its success. First, He makes mention of the favour God
had shown him, the honour done him, the methods God took to keep
him humble, and the use he made of this dispensation, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.1-2Cor.12.10" parsed="|2Cor|12|1|12|10" passage="2Co 12:1-10">ver. 1-10</scripRef>. Then he addresses
himself to the Corinthians, blaming them for what was faulty among
them, and giving a large account of his behaviour and kind
intentions towards them, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.11-2Cor.12.21" parsed="|2Cor|12|11|12|21" passage="2Co 12:11-21">ver. 11,
to the end</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCor.xiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12" parsed="|2Cor|12|0|0|0" passage="2Co 12" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCor.xiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.1-2Cor.12.10" parsed="|2Cor|12|1|12|10" passage="2Co 12:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.12.1-2Cor.12.10">
<h4 id="iiCor.xiii-p1.5">The Apostle's Rapture. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.xiii-p1.6">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.xiii-p2">1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory.
I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.   2 I knew
a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I
cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God
knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.   3 And I
knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot
tell: God knoweth;)   4 How that he was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a
man to utter.   5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I
will not glory, but in mine infirmities.   6 For though I
would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the
truth: but <i>now</i> I forbear, lest any man should think of me
above that which he seeth me <i>to be,</i> or <i>that</i> he
heareth of me.   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.   8 For this thing I besought
the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.   9 And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for
when I am weak, then am I strong.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p3">Here we may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p4">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 <i>caught up into the third
heaven,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.2" parsed="|2Cor|12|2|0|0" passage="2Co 12:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
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 <i>how</i> 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, <i>Whether in the body or
out of the body, I cannot tell.</i> It was certainly a very
extraordinary honour done him: in some sense he was caught up into
the <i>third heaven,</i> the heaven of the blessed, above the
aërial 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 (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.4" parsed="|2Cor|12|4|0|0" passage="2Co 12:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>), in allusion to the earthly paradise out of which
Adam was driven for his transgression; it is called the paradise of
God (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.2.7" parsed="|Rev|2|7|0|0" passage="Re 2:7">Rev. ii. 7</scripRef>), 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 third heaven or paradise, but tells us that <i>he
heard unspeakable words,</i> such as it is not possible for a man
to utter—such are the sublimity of the matter and our
unacquaintedness with the language of the upper world: nor was it
lawful to utter those words, because, while we are here in this
world, we have a more sure word of prophecy than such visions and
revelations. <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.19" parsed="|2Pet|1|19|0|0" passage="2Pe 1:19">2 Pet. i. 19</scripRef>.
We read of the tongue of angels as well as men, and Paul knew as
much of that as ever any man upon earth did, and yet preferred
charity, that is, the sincere love of God and our neighbour. This
account which the apostle gives us of his vision should check our
curious desires after forbidden knowledge, and teach us to improve
the revelation God has given us in his word. Paul himself, who had
been in the third heaven, did not publish to the world what he had
heard there, but adhered to the doctrine of Christ: on this
foundation the church is built, and on this we must build our faith
and hope. 2. The modest and humble manner in which the apostle
mentions this matter is observable. One would be apt to think that
one who had had such visions and revelations as these would have
boasted greatly of them; but, says he, <i>It is not expedient for
me doubtless to glory,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.1" parsed="|2Cor|12|1|0|0" passage="2Co 12:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>. He therefore did not mention this immediately, nor
till <i>above fourteen years</i> after, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.2" parsed="|2Cor|12|2|0|0" passage="2Co 12:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. And then it is not without some
reluctancy, as a thing which in a manner he was forced to by the
necessity of the case. Again, he speaks of himself in the third
person, and does not say, I am the man who was thus honoured above
other men. Again, his humility appears by the check he seems to put
upon himself (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.6" parsed="|2Cor|12|6|0|0" passage="2Co 12:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>),
which plainly shows that he delighted not to dwell upon this theme.
Thus was he, who was not behind the chief of the apostles in
dignity, very eminent for his humility. Note, It is an excellent
thing to have a lowly spirit in the midst of high advancements; and
those who abase themselves shall be exalted.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p5">II. The apostle gives an account of the
methods God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his <i>being
lifted up above measure;</i> and this he speaks of to balance the
account that was given before of the visions and revelations he had
had. Note, When God's people communicate their experiences, let
them always remember to take notice of what God has done to keep
them humble, as well as what he has done in favour to them and for
their advancement. Here observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p6">1. The apostle was pained with a thorn in
the flesh, and buffeted with a messenger of Satan, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.7" parsed="|2Cor|12|7|0|0" passage="2Co 12:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. We are much in the dark
what this was, whether some great trouble or some great temptation.
Some think it was an acute bodily pain or sickness; others think it
was the indignities done him by the false apostles, and the
opposition he met with from them, particularly on the account of
his speech, which was contemptible. However this was, God often
brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies
help to hide pride from us; and this is certain, that what the
apostle calls a thorn in his flesh was for a time very grievous to
him: but the thorns Christ wore for us, and with which he was
crowned, sanctify and make easy all the thorns in the flesh we may
at any time be afflicted with; for <i>he suffered, being tempted,
that he might be able to succour those that are tempted.</i>
Temptations to sin are most grievous thorns; they are messengers of
Satan, to buffet us. Indeed it is a great grievance to a good man
to be so much as tempted to sin.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p7">2. The design of this was to keep the
apostle humble: <i>Lest he should be exalted above measure,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.7" parsed="|2Cor|12|7|0|0" passage="2Co 12:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Paul himself
knew he <i>had not yet attained, neither was already perfect;</i>
and yet he was in danger of being lifted up with pride. If God love
us, he will hide pride from us, and 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 did not send with a good design, but on the contrary, with
ill intentions, to discourage the apostle (who had been so highly
favoured of God) and hinder him in his work. But God designed this
for good, and he overruled it for good, and made this messenger of
Satan to be so far from being a hindrance that it was a help to the
apostle.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p8">3. The apostle prayed earnestly to God for
the removal of this sore grievance. Note, 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.
Therefore we are sometimes tempted that we may learn to pray. The
apostle <i>besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from
him,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.8" parsed="|2Cor|12|8|0|0" passage="2Co 12:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Note,
Though afflictions are sent for our spiritual benefit, yet we may
pray to God for the removal of them: we ought indeed to desire also
that they may reach the end for which they are designed. The
apostle prayed earnestly, and repeated his requests; he besought
the Lord <i>thrice,</i> that is, often. So that if an answer be not
given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we must hold on, and
hold out, till we receive an answer. Christ himself prayed to his
Father thrice. As troubles are sent to teach us to pray, so they
are continued to teach us to continue instant in prayer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p9">4. We have an account of the answer given
to the apostle's prayer, that, although the trouble was not
removed, yet an equivalent should be granted: <i>My grace is
sufficient for thee.</i> Note, (1.) Though God accepts the prayer
of faith, yet he does not always answer it in the letter; as he
sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. (2.)
When God does not remove our troubles and temptations, yet, if he
gives us grace sufficient for us, we have no reason to complain,
nor to say that he deals ill by us. It is a great comfort to us,
whatever thorns in the flesh we are pained with, that God's grace
is sufficient for us. Grace signifies two things:—[1.] The
good-will of God towards us, and this is enough to enlighten and
enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us, to support our
souls and cheer up our spirits, in all afflictions and distresses.
[2.] The good work of God in us, the grace we receive from the
fulness that is in Christ our head; and from him there shall be
communicated that which is suitable and seasonable, and sufficient
for his members. Christ Jesus understands our case, and knows our
need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady, and not only
strengthen us, but glorify <i>himself. His strength is made perfect
in our weakness.</i> Thus his grace is manifested and magnified; he
ordains his praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p10">III. Here is the use which the apostle
makes of this dispensation: <i>He gloried in his infirmities</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.9" parsed="|2Cor|12|9|0|0" passage="2Co 12:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), and took
pleasure in them, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.10" parsed="|2Cor|12|10|0|0" passage="2Co 12:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. He does not mean his sinful infirmities (those we
have reason to be ashamed of and grieved at), but he means his
afflictions, his reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and
distresses for Christ's sake, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.10" parsed="|2Cor|12|10|0|0" passage="2Co 12:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. And the reason of his glory
and joy on account of these things was this—they were fair
opportunities for Christ to manifest the power and sufficiency of
his grace resting upon him, by which he had so much experience of
the strength of divine grace that he could say, <i>When I am weak,
then am I strong.</i> This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak
in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of
ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from
him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and
grace.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.xiii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.11-2Cor.12.21" parsed="|2Cor|12|11|12|21" passage="2Co 12:11-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.12.11-2Cor.12.21">
<h4 id="iiCor.xiii-p10.5">Paul's Expostulations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.xiii-p10.6">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.xiii-p11">11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have
compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in
nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be
nothing.   12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among
you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
  13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other
churches, except <i>it be</i> that I myself was not burdensome to
you? forgive me this wrong.   14 Behold, the third time I am
ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I
seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for
the parents, but the parents for the children.   15 And I will
very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly
I love you, the less I be loved.   16 But be it so, I did not
burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
  17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto
you?   18 I desired Titus, and with <i>him</i> I sent a
brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same
spirit? <i>walked we</i> not in the same steps?   19 Again,
think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in
Christ: but <i>we do</i> all things, dearly beloved, for your
edifying.   20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find
you such as I would, and <i>that</i> I shall be found unto you such
as ye would not: lest <i>there be</i> debates, envyings, wraths,
strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:   21
<i>And</i> lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among
you, and <i>that</i> I shall bewail many which have sinned already,
and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and
lasciviousness which they have committed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p12">In these verses the apostle addresses
himself to the Corinthians two ways:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p13">I. He blames them for what was faulty in
them; namely, that they had not stood up in his defence as they
ought to have done, and so made it the more needful for him to
insist so much on his own vindication. They in manner compelled him
to commend himself, who <i>ought to have been commended of them</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.11" parsed="|2Cor|12|11|0|0" passage="2Co 12:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. And had
they, or some among them, not failed on their part, it would have
been less needful for him to have said so much on his own behalf.
He tells them further that they in particular had good reason to
speak well of him, as being <i>in nothing behind the very chief
apostles,</i> because he had given them full proof and evidence of
his apostleship; for <i>the signs of an apostle were wrought among
them in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.</i>
Note, 1. It is a debt we owe to good men to stand up in the defence
of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those
we have received benefit by, especially spiritual benefit, to own
them as instruments in God's hand of good to us, and to vindicate
them when they are calumniated by others. 2. How much soever we
are, or ought to be, esteemed by others, we ought always to think
humbly of ourselves. See an example of this in this great apostle,
who thought himself to be nothing, though in truth he was not
behind the greatest apostles—so far was he from seeking praise
from men, though he tells them their duty to vindicate his
reputation—so far was he from applauding himself, when he was
forced to insist upon his own necessary self-defence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.xiii-p14">II. He gives a large account of his
behaviour and kind intentions towards them, in which we may observe
the character of a faithful minister of the gospel. 1. He was not
willing to be burdensome to them, nor did he seek theirs, but them.
He says (<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.13" parsed="|2Cor|12|13|0|0" passage="2Co 12:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>) he
had not been burdensome to them, for the time past, and tells them
(<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.14" parsed="|2Cor|12|14|0|0" passage="2Co 12:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>) he would
not be burdensome to them for the time to come, when he should come
to them. He spared their purses, and did not covet their money:
<i>I seek not yours but you.</i> He sought not to enrich himself,
but to save their souls: he did not desire to make a property of
them to himself, but to gain them over to Christ, whose servant he
was. Note, Those who aim at clothing themselves with the fleece of
the flock, and take no care of the sheep, are hirelings, and not
good shepherds. 2. He would gladly spend and be spent for them
(<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.15" parsed="|2Cor|12|15|0|0" passage="2Co 12:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>); that is,
he was willing to take pains and to suffer loss for their good. He
would spend his time, his parts, his strength, his interest, his
all, to do them service; nay, so spend as to be spent, and be like
a candle, which consumes itself to give light to others. 3. He did
not abate in his love to them, notwithstanding their unkindness and
ingratitude to him; and therefore was contented and glad to take
pains with them, though <i>the more abundantly he loved them the
less he was loved,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.15" parsed="|2Cor|12|15|0|0" passage="2Co 12:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. This is applicable to other relations: if others be
wanting in their duty to us it does not follow therefore that we
may neglect our duty to them. 4. He was careful not only that he
himself should not be burdensome, but that none he employed should.
This seems to be the meaning of what we read, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.16-2Cor.12.18" parsed="|2Cor|12|16|12|18" passage="2Co 12:16-18"><i>v.</i> 16-18</scripRef>. If it should be objected
by any that though he did not himself burden them, <i>yet, being
crafty, he caught them with guile,</i> that is, he sent those among
them who pillaged them, and afterwards he shared with them in the
profit: "This was not so," says the apostle; "I did not make a gain
of you myself, nor by any of those whom I sent; nor did Titus, nor
any others—We walked by the same spirit and in the same steps."
They all agreed in this matter to do them all the good they could,
without being burdensome to them, to promote the gospel among them
and make it as easy to them as possible. Or, this may be read with
an interrogation, as utterly disclaiming any guile in himself and
others towards them. 5. He was a man who did all things for
edifying, <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.19" parsed="|2Cor|12|19|0|0" passage="2Co 12:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>.
This was his great aim and design, to do good, to lay the
foundation well, and then with care and diligence to build the
superstructure. 6. He would not shrink from his duty for fear of
displeasing them, though he was so careful to make himself easy to
them. Therefore he was resolved to be faithful in reproving sin,
though he was therein <i>found to be such as they would not,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.20" parsed="|2Cor|12|20|0|0" passage="2Co 12:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. The apostle
here mentions several sins that are too commonly found among
professors of religion, and are very reprovable: <i>debates,
envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings,
tumults;</i> and, though those who are guilty of these sins can
hardly bear to be reproved for them, yet faithful ministers must
not fear offending the guilty by sharp reproofs, as they are
needful, in public and in private. 7. He was grieved at the
apprehension that he should find scandalous sins among them not
duly repented of. This, he tells them, would be the cause of great
humiliation and lamentation. Note, (1.) The falls and miscarriages
of professors cannot but be a humbling consideration to a good
minister; and God sometimes takes this way to humble those who
might be under temptation to be lifted up: <i>I fear lest my God
will humble me among you.</i> (2.) We have reason to bewail those
who sin and do not repent, to <i>bewail many that have sinned, and
have not repented,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.xiii-p14.8" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.21" parsed="|2Cor|12|21|0|0" passage="2Co 12:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. If these have not, as yet, grace to mourn and lament
their own case, their case is the more lamentable; and those who
love God, and love them, should mourn for them.</p>
</div></div2>