Verse 9
9. He said… grace… sufficient My sustaining power must be a substitute for the removal vainly asked. Let thy natural weakness remain, supplemented by a divine power. Yet it is apparent from the history that the thorn was ultimately withdrawn. It seems to have commenced about the year 44, and ended about 58.
Made perfect Is brought to the complete intended result, namely, its manifested exhibition in the triumphs of the gospel.
In weakness Which shows the power to be divine.
Gladly His prayer was not granted, but something better was. Hence the Christian, save under special guidance, is rightfully chary about specifying particular temporal objects to pray for; for the object, if granted, might prove injurious, and when the prayer is rejected, it may be in mercy; in still greater mercy if some higher blessing is granted instead.
Rather Than have the thorn drawn out. He preferred the Lord’s way to his own.
Glory in my infirmities Which, as it glorifies Christ and not myself, is far better than glorying in my oratory and other powers. Hence, while compelled by his adversaries to self-assertion, he so asserts himself as not to portray his romantic excellences, but to unfold his sufferings and weaknesses. And even so his superiority over his detractors comes out all the more resplendently.
Power of Christ In this utter abolition of himself that Christ may be all, what a victory does he gain over his adversaries who claimed to be Christ’s, yet depreciated Christ! How evident it became to the Corinthians that he was the true servant of Christ!
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