Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
REVELATIONS IN WHICH HE MIGHT GLORY: BUT HE RATHER GLORIES IN INFIRMITIES, AS CALLING FORTH CHRIST'S POWER: SIGNS OF HIS APOSTLESHIP: HIS DISINTERESTEDNESS: NOT THAT HE IS EXCUSING HIMSELF TO THEM; BUT HE DOES ALL FOR THEIR GOOD, LEST HE SHOULD FIND THEM NOT SUCH AS HE DESIRED, AND SO SHOULD HAVE TO BE SEVERE AT HIS COMING. (2Co. 12:1-21)
He proceeds to illustrate the "glorying in infirmities" (II Corinthians 11:30). He gave one instance which might expose him to ridicule (II Corinthians 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 the glory done to himself, but on the infirmity which followed it, as displaying Christ's power. The oldest manuscripts read, "I MUST NEEDS boast (or glory) though it be not expedient; for I will come." The "for" gives a proof that it is "not expedient to boast": I will take the case of revelations, in which if anywhere boasting might be thought harmless. "Visions" refers to things seen: "revelations," to things heard (compare I Samuel 9:15) or revealed in any way. In "visions" their signification was not always vouchsafed; in "revelations" there was always an unveiling of truths before hidden (Daniel 2:19, Daniel 2:31). All parts of Scripture alike are matter of inspiration; but not all of revelation. There are degrees of revelation; but not of inspiration.
of—that is, from the Lord; Christ, II Corinthians 12:2.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 2 Corinthians 12:1:
Acts 26:16-18
1 Corinthians 11:23
2 Corinthians 11:6
2 Corinthians 11:31
2 Corinthians 12:2
Galatians 1:12
Galatians 4:15
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