An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 3 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
HEE proceeds in his holy glorying: There are three parts of the Chapter. In the first hee explains the heavenly vision presented to him, together with the events of the same. To vers. 11. In the second hee proves that the Corinthians ought to have freed him from this necessity of glorying, or defended him. To vers. 19. In the third hee produces the causes of his troubles.
Vers. 1. It is not expedient for mee, doubtless, to glory, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
The Preface being Premised (that hee doth not glory for his own sake, because that was not expedient for him, (For this is here somewhat emphatical▪ for mee) but for the Corinthians, and the Churches sake, whom it concerned, to preserve the authority of the Apostle intire) hee commeth to extraordinary revelations, one of which hee begins historically to declare.
Vers. 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.
I knew a man] Hee discovers the excellency of this revelation, and his modesty, by nine Arguments.
Argum. 1. That hee scarcely dare publish his name in this business, but lest hee may seem to arrogate much to himself, hee is compelled to speak of himself in a third person.
In Christ] Argum. 2. That although this revelation may seem to extol him above the common condition of men, yet hee doth not affect any other excellence, than to bee in Christ, or in the number of Beleevers, who have renounced themselves, that they may glory in Christ alone.
Fourteen] Argum. 3. That silently with himself hee had suppressed the mention of this glorious revelation whole fourteen years, never intending to recite it, unless hee was compelled by the importunity of his Emulators, who endeavoured to diminish his Apostolical authority, to the damage of the Gospel and the Church.
Caught up] Argum. 4. That hee was caught up to the upper heaven, above all the Stars, to the place of the blessed Spirits, where God chiefly manifests his glory.
Whether in the body] Argum. 5. That hee is ignorant, whether hee was caught up by the local translation of his body into Heaven, or whether his soul extraordinarily was separated for that time, and lifted up into Heaven, concerning the other, notwithstanding, I am certain.
Vers. 3. And I knew such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth.)
4. Hee was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Into Paradise] Argum. 6. That hee certainly knew the matter done, and that hee was caught up into Paradise, or into that blessed seat of the Glory of God, (wherupon hee repeats the second time, I kn…w a man) and there heard ineffable words, which is not lawful for a man to utter, i. e. of whom something could not bee expressed, other things it was not lawful for him to utter, which otherwise had hee not been prohibited, might have been uttered, for those things which were revealed, hee is certain, did belong to his private confirmation, and preparations for those conflicts hee was about to undergo.
Vers. 5. Of such an one will I glory, yet of my self I will not glory, but in my infirmities.
Argum. 7. That indeed hee was ready to boast (to the glory of God) of such a man, i. e. of himself, as the servant of God, exalted after this manner: But not concerning himself, considered in himself, for that hee had nothing in himself, in which hee might glory, except his infirmities.
Vers. 6. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not bee a fool: For I will say the truth. But now I forbear, lest any man should think of mee above that, which hee seeth mee to bee, or that hee heareth of mee.
Argum. 8. That although hee had sufficient matter of glorying offered upon this revelation, that truly and solidly, without vanity, hee might much more glory, but hee determined as yet sparingly to speak of this matter, lest hee should stirre up too much esteem of himself.
Vers. 7. And lest I should bee exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to mee a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet mee, lest I should bee exalted above measure.
Argum. 9. That the excellence of the Revelation was so great, as that hee might beware of pride, the Angel of Satan was sent for the Apostles humiliation.
A Thorn▪ ] Hee describes the reason of his humbling so, that hee intimates three Reasons of it.
Reason 1. That the matter of his humiliation, was something of the reliques of sin in his flesh, or his corrupt nature as yet not quite abolished, viz. some motion of concupiscence, tending to his further sinning, which motion hee compares to a Thorn left in lopped wood, because it was no less troublesome to him, than a Thorn was wont to bee fastened in the foot of a travellour.
The Messenger] Reason 2. Of his humiliation, that this motion carried along with it a special temptation opening a way to the Devil, making way to sin.
To buffet] Reason 3. This Temptation sent from the Devil doth so much the more violently solicit him to sin, that hee was compelled to implore divine assistance, lest hee should bee overcome with the Temptation: which exercise, as it is not to bee wondred at by him that reads Chap. 7. Rom. So it is to bee acknowledged the most efficacious means for the humbling of the Apostle, for hee that was wont to bear all troubles, and fights, both with his bodily and spiritual enemies couragiously, hee is heard to howl and cry out in his combate with the flesh, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver mee, &c.
Vers. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from mee.
The humiliation of the Apostle it self follows, of which hee brings four Signs. Sign 1. That hee had very often prayed unto God, that hee would deliver him from the Tempter.
Vers. 9. And hee said unto mee, 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 mee.
Sign 2. That hee rested in the answer of God, in which hee certified him, partly of the sufficiency of his Grace, for the sustaining of his combating servant, lest hee should bee overcome by the Tempter, and for the washing away of all pollution which hee had contracted in his combate: Partly concerning the end of his purpose in the exercise of his servants, which is, that by how much any servant of God is found more weak in any combate, by so much the strength of God sustaining him, might more clearly and perfectly demonstrate it self.
Most gladly] Sign 3. That a more constant frame of humility would ensue upon this combate of his, wherein hee determined to acknowledge his infirmities, and weaknesses in all things, to this very end, that hee might experience the power of Christ dwelling in him, and so much the more apparently manifested.
Vers. 10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Sign 4. That hee had now learnt, not onelyonly to bear all afflictions couragiously for the Gospel, which might make him more humble, but out of them to take much pleasure. Because when hee perceived himself most weak, flying to Christ, hee had experience of his more powerful presence for the sustaining and comforting him, and likewise making him victorious.
The second Part.
Vers. 11. I am become a fool in glorying, yee have compelled mee: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles, though I bee nothing.
The second part of the Chapter contains his glorying in the manifestation of his Apostleship powerfully and sincerely administred amongst the Corinthians: Hee clears this glorying from that folly which some might object, laying the fault upon the Corinthians, from whose neglect the necessity of the Apostles glorying did arise: For they ought to assert his dignity against the false Apostles. Hee saies, I ought to bee commended by you, or it was your part to defend mee: hee brings nine Reasons of this Proposition, and also of his glorying.
For in nothing] Reason 1. Because although the Apostle was nothing in himself, yet by the Grace of God hee was not inferiour to the chief Apostles, the Corinthians being his witnesses: Therefore hee ought to bee defended and commended by them.
Vers. 12. Truly the Signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Reason 2. Confirming the former. Because amongst you the signs of my Apostleship appear, partly in my patient enduring of labours, troubles and injuries, partly in the effects and signs of my Apostleship, in miracles and powerful works: Therefore I ought to bee commended by you.
Vers. 13. For what is it wherein yee were inferiour to other Churches, except it bee that I my self was not burdensome to you? forgive mee this wrong.
Reason 3. Because the Corinthian Church is endowed with such illustrious gifts of the Holy Ghost, by my Ministery, as any other Church, founded either by other Apostles, or by my self: Therefore my Ministery ought to bee defended by you.
Except it bee that] Reason 4. Because his zeal in propagating the Gospel amongst them, was so great, that hee preached the Gospel to the Corinthians freely, wherein if there was any wrong, by a civil Irony hee asks pardon, intimating the benefit which was vouchsafed to them: Therefore hee ought to bee defended by them.
Vers. 14. Behold the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not bee burdensom 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.
Reason 5. Confirming the former. Because the Apostle was still of the same mind towards them, not to take any wages of them for the future, when hee shall come to them, for now hee prepared himself for comming the third time, although his second intention to come was hindered, As it is 1 Corinth. 1.
Yours] Reason 6. Confirming the former. Because hee sought the salvation of the Corinthians, and not to convert their goods to his own proper use: Therefore they ought to defend him.
For I seek not] Reason 7. Because although hee bee their spiritual Father, who ought to bee nourished by his folk or his children, yet hee endeavoured to imitate natural Parents, who ordinarily lay up for their children. Otherwise if the Parents bee in want, it is not to bee doubted, but children ought to do their mutual duties to their Parents, and to honour them by nourishing them.
Vers. 15. And I will very gladly spend, and bee spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be beloved.
Reas. 8. Because hee was ready to spend his goods and life it self for their salvation, which vehement love hee amplifies from the ingratitude of the Corinthians, who in the mean while did not make return of his love, but received the false Apostles, his Emulators, and made more of them, than the Apostle himself, their Father.
Vers. 16. But bee 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 him I sent a Brother: did Titus make a gain of you? walked wee not in the same Spirit? walked wee not in the same steps?
Reason 9. In which hee prevents an objection; some might say, although thou thy self hast not received of them wages, yet perhaps thou hast drawn much from them by those whom thou …ast sent. Hee answers, that his companions and Embassadors, which hee had sent to the Corinthians, have taken the same care, lest they should burthen the Corinthians. But by the way hee checks his adversaries, whilst hee clears himself from those arts which those crafty workmen did use, who when they would seem to receive nothing themselves, did subborn others, who should receive for their use whatsoever they could squeeze from the Corinthians: Therefore the Corinthians ought to defend Paul, and stop the mouths of his accusers in his absence.
The Third Part.
Vers. 19. Again, think you that wee excuse our selves unto you? wee speak before God in Christ: but wee do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
The third part of the Chapter follows, wherein by preventing an objection, hee gives the reasons of his defence: Some might say, wherefore dost thou write these things? wherefore is that defence? whether art thou conscious of some evil? or dost thou desire to bee extolled by us? Hee answers, by giving five reasons, why hee was so solicitous in that kind.
1. I have not writ these to this intent, that (as guilty of some evil, or that I desired glory) I may clear my self amongst you, or excuse my self; but out of my love to you, that I might promote your edification and Salvation, lest you viz. thinking meanly of my Apostleship, should by the false Apostles bee moved from the simplicity of the Gospel, for the testimony of this my assertion, I call God (who hath known my mind) and Christ (whose business I do) to bee my witnesses.
Vers. 20. For I fear, lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall bee found unto you such as yee would not, lest there bee debates, envyings, wrath, strifes, back-bitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Reason 2. I fear lest my Authority and Doctrine being diminished amongst you, through the false Apostles, when I come I shall find you such as I would not; i. e. infected with those evils which follow upon Schismes, such are strifes, or contentions: emulations or envy concerning the gifts of God: wraths or angers from mutual injuries: brawlings or mutual provocations: back-bitings and whisperings, by which openly and privily men are wont to defame one another: swellings, and as it were puffings up of the mind out of pride; and lastly, tumultuous seditions.
And that I] Reason 3. I fear lest yee should find me more severe than you would, unless yee timely mend by admonitions, and submit to my doctrine and authority in the Lord.
Vers. 21. And lest when I come again, my God will humble mee among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned alreadie, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Reason 4. I fear lest if my authority bee despised amongst you, many amongst you will impenitently continue in their defilement, fornications, and such like sins which I have in the former Epistle reproved.
Will humble mee] Reason 5. I …ear lest the Lord should afflict mee when I come to you, viz. lest your sins should create shame, sadness and mourning to mee, and offences amongst you, who are my glorie and joy, if you behave your selves as it becometh children; but yee will cause shame and sadness to mee if you do otherwise.
That hee might prevent these evils, and take away scandals arising amongst them, it was necessary that the authority of the Apostle and Apostolical Doctrine should bee maintained amongst them, for this end, this the Apostles Apologie was necessarie.