2 Corinthianschapter 12
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A.Caught Up to the Third Heavenvv. 1-6
1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. 6 Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
B.A Thorn, a Refusal, and Strength Made Perfectvv. 7-10
7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
C.Signs of an Apostle — and the Wrong Paul Did Youvv. 11-13
11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. 13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
D.Coming a Third Time, Afraid of What He'll Findvv. 14-21
14 See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. 17 Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up. 20 For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.
Chapter summary
Paul's vision.
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Chapter summary
Paul's vision.
Read the rest, the context and the outline ▾Show less ▴
Paul's vision. Caught up to the third heaven, hearing unspeakable words. Lest he should be exalted, there was given him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. He besought the Lord thrice; the Lord answered: My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. I fear, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would. Calvin reads the chapter as the paradox of apostolic strength.
Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.
Context
Epistle · Paul — 2 Corinthians overview
- A. 1–6 Caught Up to the Third Heaven
- B. 7–10 A Thorn, a Refusal, and Strength Made Perfect
- C. 11–13 Signs of an Apostle — and the Wrong Paul Did You
- D. 14–21 Coming a Third Time, Afraid of What He'll Find
Top cross-references8 chapters ▾
2 Corinthians 116 verses
- 2 Corinthians 11:1I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.
- 2 Corinthians 11:4For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.
- 2 Corinthians 11:5I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:16I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
- 2 Corinthians 11:30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
- 2 Corinthians 11:31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying.
- Read 2 Corinthians 11 →
2 Corinthians 123 verses
- 2 Corinthians 12:7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- Read 2 Corinthians 12 →
1 Corinthians 92 verses
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Galatians 11 verse
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1 Thessalonians 41 verse
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Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.