For this thing I besought the Lord thrice All kinds of affliction had befallen the apostle, yet none of these did he deprecate. But here he speaks of his thorn in the flesh, as above all the rest one that macerated him with weakness, and by the pain and ignominy of it, prevented his being lifted up more, or at least not less, than the most vehement headache could have done, which many of the ancients say he laboured under. That the Lord to whom the apostle prayed was Christ, is evident from 2 Corinthians 12:9. It is supposed by some, that in praying thrice he imitated his Master's example in the garden. But perhaps his meaning is only that he prayed often and earnestly. That it might depart from me Hence we see that it is lawful to pray for the removal of bodily pain, weakness, or any peculiar trial; yea, to be frequent and fervent in prayer for it. But he said to me In answer to my third, or often-repeated request; My grace is sufficient for thee Namely, to support thee under these trials, though I permit them to continue. How tender a repulse! Probably Christ appeared to his apostle and spake to him. At any rate, it was another revelation of the Lord, which his subject led him to mention, though his modesty did not allow him to insist on it directly. “This example of prayer rejected ought to be well attended to by all good men, because it shows that they neither should be discouraged when their most earnest prayers seem to be disregarded, nor discontented when they are rejected; because in both cases their good is designed and effectually promoted.” My strength is made perfect in weakness That is, is more illustriously displayed in the weakness of the instrument by which I work. Therefore will I glory in my infirmities Rather than my revelations; that the power of Christ may rest upon me Greek, επισκηνωση, may pitch its tent over me, or cover me all over like a tent, and abide on me continually. We ought most willingly to accept whatever tends to this end, however contrary to flesh and blood. Therefore I take pleasure Ευδοκω, I am well pleased with, or take complacency in, infirmities Of the flesh, bodily weaknesses of whatever kind. In reproaches Suffered on that account; in necessities The various wants which I suffer in the execution of my office; in persecutions, in distresses To which I am exposed; for Christ's sake: for when I am weak Deeply sensible of my weakness; then am I strong Through the power of Christ resting on me; and my ministry is then most successful, the Lord working with me in a peculiar manner. I am become a fool in glorying As I have done above, but consider where the blame lies; ye have compelled me To do it, even against my will. For I ought to have been commended by you Or vindicated, when my character, as an apostle, was attacked by the false teachers. For in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles As ye well know: he means Peter, James, and John, whom he calls pillars, Galatians 2:9. Though I be nothing In the account of some, or of myself, without the aids of divine grace; not would I assume to myself any glory from what grace hath made me.
Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 12:8
2 Corinthians 12:8-11
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.
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.