Bible Commentaries

Jealous; watchful and solicitous. --I have espoused you, &c.; from his peculiar relation to them as their spiritual father, he felt himself responsible in some sense for their purity, and for their preparation for a final union with Christ.

He that cometh; referring probably to other teachers who came and attempted to supersede Paul in his influence and ascendency over the church.--Preacheth another Jesus; that is, if there were really another Jesus to preach. The idea is, that, if they imagined that there could be two Saviors, two spirits, and two gospels, then they might have some reason for listening to one who came to form and lead among them a new influence diverse from that of Paul.

Rude in speech; unskilful in oratory.--Made manifest; made known; that is, they had had abundant opportunities to try and prove his character.

In abasing myself; referring to his laborious services, and the reproach and danger which he had incurred in their behalf.

I robbed other churches, that is, I took from them, as is specified in the 2 Corinthians 11:9.

In the, regions of Achaia. For certain reasons intimated in 2 Corinthians 11:12, Paul appears to have been particularly unwilling to receive any pecuniary aid from the churches in Achaia. It was in Corinth that he labored in his occupation of tent-maker, (Acts 18:3;) and from this passage it appears that, though he was willing to receive supplies from the Macedonian Christians he would not do it from those of Corinth. We often have occasion thus to observe that the apostolical arrangements were not conformed to any settled and uniform system, but were accommodated to the varying circumstances of each individual case.

The idea is, that his unwillingness to receive pecuniary aid from them, did not arise from want of affection or confidence, but from other reasons.

That wherein they glory, inasmuch as they glory.--They may be found, &c.; they may feel bound to follow my example in this respect.

His ministers; his servants; those who execute his purposes.

Receive me, that I may boast; allow me to boast.

After the Lord; after or according to the proper spirit of a follower of the Lord.

Smite you on the face; treat you in the most injurious and insolent manner.

This language is obscure; no satisfactory explanation of it has been given.

Are they; that is, the enemies who had attempted to supplant him at Corinth.

Above measure; above the measure of such sufferings inflicted upon them.--In deaths; in imminent exposure to death.

Forty--save one. By a command recorded in Deuteronomy 25:2,3, the punishment of scourging is limited to forty stripes. It was the custom of the Jews to stop short, by one, of the permitted number, in token of their desire to keep unquestionably within the law. Very few of the instances of suffering and danger here referred to are mentioned in the book of the Acts.

With rods. One case of this nature is mentioned Acts 16:22,23.--Stoned; Acts 14:19. Besides this, the apostle, on another occasion, narrowly escaped being stoned. (Acts 14:5.)--Shipwreck. He suffered shipwreck after this, on his voyage to Rome, (Acts 27:1-44:) which makes four instances in which he encountered this terrible form of danger.--In the deep; floating in the sea, sustained by some frail support, probably after shipwreck.

In reading this formidable catalogue of perils and calamities, (2 Corinthians 11:24-27,) we cannot but be impressed with the care of divine Providence manifested in the wonderful preservation of the apostle through a series of dangers of so extraordinary a number and character. We must remember, too, that the apostle persisted in a course of life which uniformly led to these results, in simple attestation of the fact of his supernatural interview with the Savior, as recorded Acts 9:3-8, and as repeatedly narrated and alluded to by himself. (Acts 22:6-11,26:12-19; 1 Corinthians 9:1.) This interview was the origin and foundation of his belief. The circumstances were such that he could not have been mistaken in regard to it, and the description which he here gives of the mode of life which he had led in consequence of his testimony, is evidence, which it would be difficult to question, that he was honest and sincere. So that here is a point where the question of the miraculous origin of Christianity is brought within a very narrow compass.

The care; that is, the solicitude and interest which he felt in them all.

Burn not; am not troubled. The idea is, that he felt in himself every reproach or suffering which affected any brother Christian.

Infirmities; dangers and sufferings.

In Damascus, &c. The apostle here mentions a case of imminent danger that he had incurred, which had been omitted in the 2 Corinthians 11:24-27.--Kept the city--with a garrison; guarded the gates with armed men. This was done at the instigation of the. Jews, as would appear from the account of Luke. (Acts 9:24,25.)