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| 2 CORINTHIANS |
| Explanatory Footnotes - page 2 |
| 7:9 What Suffering Produces When he wrote about suffering, Paul concentrated not merely on the pain itself, but on what qualities it produced in those who had faith. In this case, he cites the emotional suffering the Corinthians had experienced because of his letter. Although the suffering was unpleasant, it produced something of great value: an abrupt change in their attitudes. 9:6 Bonuses of Giving In taking his collection for poor people, Paul mainly appealed to the Christian responsiblity to help those in need. But, in this passage, he details generosity's side effects. Giving actually enriches and benefits the giver, he says. Also, a gift can serve as an act of worship to God and can inspire other people's faith and thanksgiving. 11:24 Paul's Many Trials Acts records many of the apostle Paul's adventures and trials, but this passage shows that other disasters occurred as well. "Forty lashes minus one" was the maximum punishment allowed under Jewish law - five times Paul had been judged and sentenced by the Jews for his activities as a Christian. In addition, he was often imprisoned under Roman law and sometimes beaten with rods (an illegal punishment for a Roman citizen such as Paul). 12:7 The Thorn in Paul's Flesh Bible scholars don't agree on the precise nature of Paul's "thorn." Some suggest a physical ailment, such an as eye disease, malaria, or epilepsy. Others interpret it as a spiritual temptation, or a sequence of failures in his ministry. The Bible gives no clear evidence on the precise nature of this affliction. Regardless, Paul stresses that God permitted the thorn to continue, despite his prayers for relief, to teach him an important lesson about grace and dependence. This conclusion echoes Paul's thoughts on the Corinthians' suffering in chapter 7. |