Job 23:6, Isa 27:5, 2Cor 12:9-10 | JFB | STEP | 6. An objection suggests itself, while he utters the wish ( ). Do I hereby wish that He should plead against me with His omnipotence? Far from it! ( , ; ; ). strength-- so as to prevail with Him: as in Jacob's case ( , ). Umbreit and Maurer better translate as in (I only wish that He) "would attend to me," that is, give me a patient hearing as an ordinary judge, not using His omnipotence, but only His divine knowledge of my innocence.

‏ Job 23:6

6. An objection suggests itself, while he utters the wish (Job 23:5). Do I hereby wish that He should plead against me with His omnipotence? Far from it! (Job 9:19, 34; 13:21; 30:18).

strength--so as to prevail with Him: as in Jacob's case (Ho 12:3, 4). Umbreit and Maurer better translate as in Job 4:20 (I only wish that He) "would attend to me," that is, give me a patient hearing as an ordinary judge, not using His omnipotence, but only His divine knowledge of my innocence.

‏ Isaiah 27:5

5. Or--Else; the only alternative, if Israel's enemies wish to escape being "burnt together."

strength--rather, "the refuge which I afford" [Maurer]. "Take hold," refers to the horns of the altar which fugitives often laid hold of as an asylum (1Ki 1:50; 2:28). Jesus is God's "strength," or "refuge" which sinners must repair to and take hold of, if they are to have "peace" with God (Is 45:24; Ro 5:1; Ep 2:14; compare Job 22:21).

‏ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9. said--literally, "He hath said," implying that His answer is enough [Alford].

is sufficient--The trial must endure, but the grace shall also endure and never fail thee [Alford], (De 33:25). The Lord puts the words into Paul's mouth, that following them up he might say, "O Lord, Thy grace is sufficient for me" [Bengel].

my strength--Greek, "power."

is made perfect--has its most perfect manifestation.

in weakness--Do not ask for sensible strength, FOR My power is perfected in man's "strengthlessness" (so the Greek). The "for" implies, thy "strengthlessness" (the same Greek as is translated "weakness"; and in 2Co 12:10, "infirmities") is the very element in which My "power" (which moves coincident with "My grace") exhibits itself more perfectly. So that Paul instead of desiring the infirmity to "depart," "rather" henceforth "glories in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest (Greek, 'tabernacle upon,' cover my infirmity all over as with a tabernacle; compare Greek, Joh 1:12) upon" him. This effect of Christ's assurance on him appears, 2Co 4:7; 1Co 2:3, 4; compare 1Pe 4:14. The "My" is omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; the sense is the same, "power" (referring to God's power) standing absolutely, in contrast to "weakness" (put absolutely, for man's weakness). Paul often repeats the word "weakness" or "infirmity" (the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth chapters) as being Christ's own word. The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man's extremity is God's opportunity; man's security is Satan's opportunity. God's way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it (Psa 88:7; Joh 17:15).

10. take pleasure in--too strongly. Rather as the Greek, "I am well contented in."

infirmities--the genus. Two pairs of species follow, partly coming from "Satan's messenger," partly from men.

reproaches--"insults."

when--in all the cases just specified.

then--then especially.

strong--"powerful" in "the power of Christ" (2Co 12:9; 2Co 13:4; He 11:34).