2 Corinthians 12:1-13 Lesson 355

2 Corinthians 12:1-13
Lesson 355

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

A vision and a thorn.

Paul continues "boasting" (defending himself).

"Christ at dawn."
By American artist Warner Sallman (1892-1968).

Study Tip:

Reviewing past lessons helps tie the Bible together.

The Second Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

2 Corinthians 12:1-13
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1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, 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.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Margin notes:

"It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory." (12:1) - "It's not good for me to boast."

"Revelations." (12:1) - To make a revelation is to reveal a mystery (Ephesians 3:3).

"I knew a man in Christ." (12:2) - Paul is referring to himself in the third person.

"Fourteen years ago." (12:2) - In AD 42-43.

"The third heaven." (12:2) - According to Jewish teachings, the third heaven is paradise where the righteous dead and God dwell (2 Chronicles 30:27; Psalm 123:1). Many Bible scholars believe that paradise and Third Heaven are synonymous.  Paul's vision of heaven is similar to Peter's in Acts 10:9-11.

"He was caught up into paradise." (12:4) - "He (Paul) was taken up to heaven."

"Heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (12:4) - "Heard amazing things that no one is allowed to speak." Nor is it possible.

"Of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities." (12:5) - Paul is repeating verse 11:30 for emphasis.

"I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth." (12:6) - Paul is reinforcing verse 10:8.

"Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.." (12:7) - "Unless I become proud beyond measure because of the amazing revelations."

"A thorn in the flesh." (12:7) - The thorn was a physical ailment or limitation of Paul's. See "Today's Question" below.

"To buffet me." (12:7) - "To torment me."

"I besought the Lord thrice." (12:8) - "I prayed to the Lord three times."

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (12:9) - Remember, when feeling lost, tired, sick, afraid, or defeated, God's grace is greater than any hardship we face. God makes the weak strong (12:10).

"When I am weak, then am I strong." (12:10) - True strength is found in weakness.

"I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me." (12:11) - "I've (Paul) become a fool to be bragging, but you forced me to." Paul feels bad talking about himself, but after he founded the church in Corinth, they turned away from him in favor of false teachers.

"I ought to have been commended of you." (12:11) - "I should have been acclaimed by you (the church of Corinth)."  Paul feels foolish commending himself.

"I be nothing." (12:11) - Paul is humbly telling us that he is a nobody.

"The signs of an apostle were wrought among you." (12:12) - "You were given proof that I am a true apostle by the miracles performed on your behalf."

"I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong." (12:13) - Paul considered himself a burden to the other churches because he relied on them for financial support.  Here, Paul asks Corinth's forgiveness for not relying on them more.

New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 12:1-13
Paul's Vision and His Thorn in the Flesh

1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don't know-only God knows.

3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know

4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.

6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul's Concern for the Corinthians

11 You have made me act like a fool-boasting like this. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these "super apostles," even though I am nothing at all.

12 When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.

13 The only thing I failed to do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. Why was Paul praying, and why didn't God answer his prayer? (12:8-9)

Strengthen your relationship with God by studying His word each day.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Paul prayed that his "thorn" (12:7) be removed so he could be a more effective messenger. We cannot be sure what Paul's "thorn" was, but Galatians 4:13-15 seems to indicate that he had poor eyesight. This could explain why Paul dictated his epistles. Of course, the 'thorn" might have been the lingering effects of the beatings he received, or maybe an ailment or traveling injury incurred doing the years he spent on the missionary road. Perhaps Paul's "thorn" was not physical at all; he could have been referring to his temptation to sin. Whatever it was, God knew that the "thorn" made Paul stronger (12:9) and did not remove it. God knows what is best even if we don't. Rest assured, God hears us and will answer our prayers based on His plans for us.

Additional note: Paul prayed three times that his "thorn" would be removed (12:8), just as Jesus prayed three times for God to spare Him from the cross (Matthew 26:39-44; Mark 14:32-41). After praying, Jesus submitted Himself to God's will.

Application thought for the day:

We all have "a thorn."
What limitations plague you, and how can God use it to His glory?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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