Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice. Here, also, Calvin alludes to what he had said as to the number three, when commenting on an expression, which occurs in 2 Corinthians 12:2 — third heavens. See p. 368. — Ed. the number three is employed to denote frequent repetition.
Here we may observe, I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1. Of the honour itself which was done to the apostle: he was caught up into the third heaven, Co2 12:2.
Commenting on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,.... Not in them simply considered, but as they were made use of to his advantage, for the exercise of his grace, and for his more abundant consolation; and especially as they tended to the glory of Christ, and made his grace, power, and strength the more conspicuous: by infirmities are meant all outward troubles, everything that is mean and...