Lectionary Calendar
Friday, April 26th, 2024
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
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Bible Commentaries
Abbott's Illustrated New Testament Abbott's NT
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliographical Information
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ain/2-corinthians-11.html. 1878.
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (48)New Testament (18)Gospels Only (1)Individual Books (10)
Verse 2
Verse 2
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.
Verse 4
Verse 4
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.
Verse 6
Verse 6
Rude in speech; unskilful in oratory.--Made manifest; made known; that is, they had had abundant opportunities to try and prove his character.
Verse 7
Verse 7
In abasing myself; referring to his laborious services, and the reproach and danger which he had incurred in their behalf.
Verse 8
Verse 8
I robbed other churches, that is, I took from them, as is specified in the 2 Corinthians 11:9.
Verse 10
Verse 10
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.
Verse 11
Verse 11
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.
Verse 12
Verse 12
That wherein they glory, inasmuch as they glory.--They may be found, &c.; they may feel bound to follow my example in this respect.
Verse 15
Verse 15
His ministers; his servants; those who execute his purposes.
Verse 16
Verse 16
Receive me, that I may boast; allow me to boast.
Verse 17
Verse 17
After the Lord; after or according to the proper spirit of a follower of the Lord.
Verse 20
Verse 20
Smite you on the face; treat you in the most injurious and insolent manner.
Verse 21
Verse 21
This language is obscure; no satisfactory explanation of it has been given.
Verse 22
Verse 22
Are they; that is, the enemies who had attempted to supplant him at Corinth.
Verse 23
Verse 23
Above measure; above the measure of such sufferings inflicted upon them.--In deaths; in imminent exposure to death.
Verse 24
Verse 24
Forty--save one. By a command recorded in Deuteronomy 25:2,Deuteronomy 25:3, 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.
Verse 25
Verse 25
With rods. One case of this nature is mentioned Acts 16:22,Acts 16:23.--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.
Verse 27
Verse 27
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:Acts 22:12-19; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 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.
Verse 28
Verse 28
The care; that is, the solicitude and interest which he felt in them all.
Verse 29
Verse 29
Burn not; am not troubled. The idea is, that he felt in himself every reproach or suffering which affected any brother Christian.
Verse 30
Verse 30
Infirmities; dangers and sufferings.
Verse 32
Verse 32
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,Acts 9:25.)