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Chapter 12
(2 Corinthians 12 KJV) "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. {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."
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Painting:
St. Paul by Rembrandt van Rijn
The
Sinless Life
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considered what it would mean if you could just live a sinless life?
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