Overview
Paul's Revelations and 'Thorn in the Flesh' (Verses 1-10): Paul recounts the divine revelations he's experienced, yet tempers this by sharing about his 'thorn in the flesh.' Rather than removing it, God declares, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This segment communicates the essential understanding that our human limitations can serve as a backdrop for divine power.
Paul’s Reluctant Boasting and Signs of an Apostle (Verses 11-18): Paul's reluctant to boast but feels compelled to provide proof of his apostolic authority. He underscores that he's performed signs, wonders, and miracles among the Corinthians, yet he hasn't been a financial burden to them. It's a subtle, yet powerful, indictment against false apostles seeking to exploit the church.
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians (Verses 19-21): The chapter concludes with Paul expressing deep concern about what he might find on his next visit to Corinth. He fears that there will be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, and other sins. It's a call to self-examination and repentance, reminding the community to align their behavior with their professed faith.
2 Corinthians 12 serves as an eye-opener, teaching us that divine strength can shine through human weakness. It also reassures us that grace can triumph over suffering, and it calls us to be genuine in both our personal walks with God and our community relationships. This chapter holds a mirror to our own lives, asking us to reconsider our notions of strength, vulnerability, and spiritual authority.
Paul’s Reluctant Boasting and Signs of an Apostle (Verses 11-18): Paul's reluctant to boast but feels compelled to provide proof of his apostolic authority. He underscores that he's performed signs, wonders, and miracles among the Corinthians, yet he hasn't been a financial burden to them. It's a subtle, yet powerful, indictment against false apostles seeking to exploit the church.
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians (Verses 19-21): The chapter concludes with Paul expressing deep concern about what he might find on his next visit to Corinth. He fears that there will be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, and other sins. It's a call to self-examination and repentance, reminding the community to align their behavior with their professed faith.
2 Corinthians 12 serves as an eye-opener, teaching us that divine strength can shine through human weakness. It also reassures us that grace can triumph over suffering, and it calls us to be genuine in both our personal walks with God and our community relationships. This chapter holds a mirror to our own lives, asking us to reconsider our notions of strength, vulnerability, and spiritual authority.
2 Corinthians 12
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.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
🔑 Devotional
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
End of 2 Corinthians 12
1 Year Plan: Aug 14 - Pro 3, Pro 4, 2 Co 12 [next day]
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.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
🔑 Devotional
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
End of 2 Corinthians 12
1 Year Plan: Aug 14 - Pro 3, Pro 4, 2 Co 12 [next day]
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