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1
A Gift for Humility
Commentators unanimously agree that God allowed this painful "thorn" for a specific purpose: to keep Paul from becoming proud over his incredible spiritual revelations. Paul describes it as being "given" to him, framing it as a severe mercy. This shows that God will use even painful means, which may feel like an attack from Satan, to protect His children from the destructive sin of pride.
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Book Overview
2 Corinthians
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Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 2 Corinthians 12:7
18th Century
Theologian
And lest I should be exalted. Lest I should be spiritually proud; lest I should become self-confident and vain, and suppose that I was a s…
AT Robertson
On 2 Corinthians 12:7
By reason of the exceeding greatness (τη υπερβολη). Instrumental case, "by the excess."
That I should not be exalte…
Charles Ellicott
On 2 Corinthians 12:7
19th Century
Bishop
There was given to me a thorn in the flesh.—The vague mystery with which St. Paul thus surrounds the special form of “inf…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 2 Corinthians 12:7
Others might be tempted, “because of these surpassingly great revelations” (v.7) accorded to Paul, to form an estimate of him that outstripped the …
John Calvin
On 2 Corinthians 12:7
16th Century
Theologian
And lest through the superiority of revelations. Here we have a second reason—that God, designing to repress in him every approac…
John Gill
On 2 Corinthians 12:7
17th Century
Pastor
And lest I should be exalted above measure
Over much elated in his mind, and swelled with a vain conceit of himself:…
Matthew Henry
On 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
17th Century
Minister
The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions…