The Epistles · Chapter 12 of 13

2 Corinthians 12

Paul reluctantly recounts being caught up to the third heaven and hearing unspeakable words, yet refuses to boast of such visions. Instead he tells of a thorn in the flesh given to keep him humble, and of the Lord's answer to his threefold plea: grace is sufficient, and strength is perfected in weakness. So Paul embraces his infirmities, and closes with a father's anxious love for a church he fears he will find unrepentant.

What happens in 2 Corinthians 12

Paul turns to visions and revelations, describing a man in Christ caught up fourteen years earlier to the third heaven and into paradise, hearing words too sacred to repeat. He will glory in such a man, but of himself only in his weaknesses. Lest the abundance of revelations exalt him, he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet him. Three times he begged the Lord to remove it, but the Lord answered that his grace is sufficient and his strength is made perfect in weakness.

So Paul chooses to glory gladly in his infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on him, for when he is weak, then he is strong. Ready to come a third time, he insists he seeks not their money but themselves, gladly spending and being spent for their souls even if loved the less. He denies exploiting them, and says all he does is for their building up. Yet he fears finding quarrels, envy, and unrepented sin, and dreads being humbled and grieved among them.

2 Corinthians 12 in context

Continuing the Fool's Speech, Paul reaches its climax and turning point. Pressed to validate himself against rivals boasting of spiritual experiences, he recounts an extraordinary vision but quickly pivots to the thorn and the Lord's word about grace and weakness.

The chapter reveals Paul's theology of suffering and his deep pastoral affection, moving from heavenly revelation to his fears about the church's condition.

Main themes of 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12 (KJV)

1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I 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. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6For 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. 7And 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. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And 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. 10Therefore 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. 11I 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. 12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13For 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. 14Behold, 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. 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18I 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? 19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20For 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: 21And 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.

Verses to carry from 2 Corinthians 12

“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.”2 Corinthians 12:7

“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.”2 Corinthians 12:9

“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.”2 Corinthians 12:10

Reflection

You may have prayed three times, or three hundred, for something God has not taken away. Paul's thorn remained, but the answer he received was better than removal: sufficient grace and a power perfected in his weakness. Bring your unanswered prayer honestly to God, and listen for the same word spoken over your frailty.

A prayer from 2 Corinthians 12