2 Corinthians12
New International Version
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I 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 the body I do not know—God knows.
3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—
4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,
7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.
13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
17Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you?
18I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
21I 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 the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle's revelations. (1–6). Which were improved to his spiritual advantage. (7–10). The signs of an apostle were in him, His purpose of making them a visit; but he expresses his fear lest he should have to be severe with some. (11–21).
vv1-6
There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God.
vv7-10
The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan which he sent for evil; but God designed it, and overruled it for good. Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer. Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always give what is asked for: as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.
vv11-21
We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual benefit, to own them as instruments in God's hand of good to us. Here is an account of the apostle's behaviour and kind intentions; in which see the character of a faithful minister of the gospel. This was his great aim and design, to do good. Here are noticed several sins commonly found among professors of religion. Falls and misdeeds are humbling to a minister; and God sometimes takes this way to humble those who might be tempted to be lifted up. These vast verses show to what excesses the false teachers had drawn aside their deluded followers. How grievous it is that such evils should be found among professors of the gospel! Yet thus it is, and has been too often, and it was so even in the days of the apostles.
Key Words
δεῖ (deî): also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
καυχάομαι (kaucháomai): to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)
μοί (moí): to me
οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
συμφέρω (symphérō): to bear together (contribute), i.e. (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as a noun) advantage
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὀπτασία (optasía): visuality, i.e. (concretely) an apparition
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκάλυψις (apokálypsis): disclosure
Cross References
2 Corinthians 12Establishes Paul's core principle of boasting only in things that show his weakness/infirmities.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Parallel use of 'Paradise' to designate the place of blessed souls in the third heaven.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Another key New Testament reference to 'Paradise' as the heavenly domain of God's presence.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel asserting that Paul is not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Supported by John Calvin
Illustrates the Pauline idiom of being 'in Christ' to denote a Christian believer.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Satan as an instrumental messenger permitted by God to inflict physical suffering on a servant.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament precedent of a faithful servant praying thrice (or repeatedly) and receiving a denial in grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the mention of this being the 'third time' Paul is ready to visit them.
Supported by JFB
Expresses the identical purpose of using apostolic authority for edification, not destruction, before visiting.
Supported by JFB
Defines what it means to be a 'man in Christ' as a new creation.
Old Testament metaphor of a 'brier' or 'thorn' representing painful, irritating adversaries.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historical account of Paul's equal standing and direct confrontation with the chiefest apostles.
Reiterates Paul's practice of refusing to be a financial burden to the Corinthian church.
Supported by JFB
Paul's consistent principle of not coveting anyone's silver, gold, or apparel.
Parallel list of the works of the flesh, echoing debates, envyings, wraths, and strifes.