Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [2 Corinthians: Chapter 12].
needs this word of Christ. {Is sufficient} (\arkei\). Old word of
rich meaning, perhaps kin to Latin _arceo_, to ward off against
danger. Christ's grace suffices and abides. {Is perfected}
(\teleitai\). Present passive indicative of \tele•\, to finish.
It is linear in idea. Power is continually increased as the
weakness grows. See Php 4:13 for this same noble conception.
The human weakness opens the way for more of Christ's power and
grace. {Most gladly rather} (\h•dista mallon\). Two adverbs, one
superlative (\h•dista\), one comparative (\mallon\). "Rather"
than ask any more (thrice already) for the removal of the thorn
or splinter "most gladly will I glory in my weaknesses." Slowly
Paul had learned this supreme lesson, but it will never leave him
(Ro 5:2; 2Ti 4:6-8). {May rest upon me} (\episk•n•s•i ep'
eme\). Late and rare verb in first aorist active subjunctive with
\hina\ (final clause), to fix a tent upon, here upon Paul himself
by a bold metaphor, as if the Shechinah of the Lord was
overshadowing him (cf. Lu 9:34), the power (\dunamis\) of the
Lord Jesus.
12:10 {Wherefore I take pleasure} (\dio eudok•\). For this noble
word see on ¯Mt 3:17; 2Co 5:8. The enemies of Paul will have a
hard time now in making Paul unhappy by persecutions even unto
death (Php 1:20-26). He is not courting martyrdom, but he does
not fear it or anything that is "for Christ's sake" (\huper
Christou\). {For when} (\hotan gar\). "For whenever," indefinite
time. {Then I am strong} (\tote dunatos eimi\). At that very
time, but not in myself, but in the fresh access of power from
Christ for the emergency.
12:11 {I am become foolish} (\gegona aphr•n\). Perfect active
indicative of \ginomai\. In spite of what he said in verse 6
that he would not be foolish if he gloried in the other Paul. But
he feels that he has dropped back to the mood of 11:1,16. He
has been swept on by the memory of the ecstasy. {For I ought to
have been commended by you} (\eg• gar •pheilon huph' hum•n
sunistasthai\). Explanation of "ye compelled me." Imperfect
active \•pheilon\ of \opheil•\, to be under obligation, and the
tense here expresses an unfulfilled obligation about the present.
But \sunistasthai\ is present passive infinitive, not aorist or
perfect passive. He literally means, "I ought now to be commended
by you" instead of having to glorify myself. He repeats his boast
already made (11:5f.), that he is no whit behind "the
super-extra apostles" (the Judaizers), "though I am nothing" (\ei
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