My temptation which was in my flesh,— What this weakness and trial in the flesh was, says Mr. Locke, since it has not pleased the Apostle to mention, it is impossible for us to know; but it may be remarked here, as an instance, once for all, oftheunavoidableobscurityofsome passages in epistolary writings, without any fault in the author; for some things necessary to the understanding of what is written are usually of course and justly omitted, because already known by the person, or persons, to whom the letter is written; and it would be often superfluous, and sometimes very ungraceful, particularly to mention them. We may, however, just observe, that this seems to be the same as the infirmity of the flesh, Galatians 4:13 and it is very probably supposed by many to be what he speaks of 2 Corinthians 12:7. See also
2 Corinthians 10:10. But we must once more add, that St. Paul, as well as all the other writers of the bible, was, while writing, under the infallible direction of the Holy Ghost.