Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

“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…”

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.

“But he purposely thus distinguishes between the rapt and glorified person of 2Co 12:2, 4, and himself the infirmity-laden victim of the "thorn in the flesh" (2Co 12:7). Such glory belonged not to him, but the weakness did.”

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

“The thorn seems (from 2Co 12:9, and Greek, 2Co 12:7, "that he may buffet me") to have continued with Paul when he wrote, lest still he should be "overmuch lifted up." the Lord--Christ.”

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”

“The Lord puts the words into Paul's mouth, that following them up he might say, "O Lord, Thy grace is sufficient for me" [BENGEL]. my strength--Greek, "power." is made perfect--has its most perfect manifestation.”

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though…

“"I am become a fool." He sounds a retreat [BENGEL]. ye--emphatic. "It is YE who have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended by you," instead of having to commend myself.”

See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you.

“The context here implies nothing of a third preparation to come; but, "I am coming, and the third time, and will not burden you this time any more than I did at my two previous visits" [ALFORD]. not yours, but you-- (Php 4:17). children .”

And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

“I will . . . spend--all I have. be spent--all that I am. This is more than even natural parents do. They "lay up treasures for their children." But I spend not merely my treasures, but myself.”

Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.

“I did not burden you--The "I" in the Greek is emphatic. A possible insinuation of the Corinthians is hereby anticipated and refuted: "But, you may say, granted that I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you (in my net) with guile"…”

Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.

“Again--The oldest manuscripts read, "This long time ye think that we are excusing ourselves unto you? It is before God (as opposed to 'unto you') that we speak in Christ" (2Co 2:17). English Version Greek text was a correction from 2Co 3:1;”

For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish.

“Ambitious self-seeking; from a Greek root, "to work for hire." backbitings, whisperings--open "slanderings," and "whispering backbitings" (Ga 5:20). swellings--arrogant elation; puffing up of yourselves.”

I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented…

“The faithful pastor is "humbled" at, and "bewails" the falls of his people, as though they were his own. sinned already--before my last coming [BENGEL], that is, before the second visit which he paid, and in which he had much at Corinth to rebuke.”

This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

“This is the third time I am coming to you--not merely preparing to come to you. This proves an intermediate visit between the two recorded in Ac 18:1; In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established--Quoted from De 19:15, Septuagint.”

I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will…

“The antithesis between "the second time" and "now" is palpable. if I come again, &c.--that is, whensoever I come again (Ac 20:2). These were probably the very words of his former threat which he now repeats again.”

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

“Since--The reason why he will not spare: Since ye challenge me to give a "proof" that Christ speaks in me. It would be better if ye would "prove your own selves" (2Co 13:5).”

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?

“Examine--Greek, "Try (make trial of) yourselves." prove your own selves--This should be your first aim, rather than "seeking a proof of Christ speaking in me" (2Co 13:3).”

And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.

“"I trust that" your own Christianity will be recognized by you (observe, "ye shall know," answers to "know your own selves," 2Co 13:5) as sufficient "proof" that ye are not reprobates, but that "Christ speaks in me," without needing a proof from me more trying…”

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even…

“I pray--The oldest manuscripts read, "we pray." not that we should appear approved--not to gain credit for ourselves, your ministers, by your Christian conduct; but for your good [ALFORD].”

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

“Our apostolic power is given us that we may use it not against, but for the furtherance of, the truth. Where you are free from fault, there is no scope for its exercise: and this I desire.”

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

“"The grace of Christ" comes first, for it is only by it we come to "the love of God" the Father (Joh 14:6). The variety in the order of Persons proves that "in this Trinity none is afore or after other" [Athanasian Creed].”