Chapter 12

 Paul seems to feel a little harassed by the criticism he has been getting from a minority in the Corinthian church. He has had to remind them of what he had done and what he meant to them. As the NIV puts it, he says there is nothing to be gained by it but he has to go ahead and speak of visions and revelations from God. There can be no question that the man he describes in the early verses of this chapter are none other than Paul himself.

(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.

Paul never mentions this anywhere else, and we can’t even guess when it happened. His "unspeakable words" are reminiscent of the seven thunders John heard but could not quote (Revelation 10:3-4). He seems to separate that man from himself, perhaps because he couldn’t imagine himself experiencing it.

{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.

This is a crucial point. Paul doesn’t want anyone thinking more highly of him because of what he claimed to have experienced. No matter what visions and revelations a man may claim, we are not to judge them on their claims but on their actual, visual performance.

{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.

I must confess I am not there yet. I can’t take pleasure in my infirmities. Sometimes they hurt terribly. But I can understand what Paul means when he says, "when I am weak, then I am strong." Paul knew that he could not do what he did, that he could not know what he knew, go where he had gone, understand what he understood, and be whole in the flesh at the same time. The greater the gifts from God, the closer one is to God, the more one understands of God, the more God intends to use a person in his service, the greater the need for infirmity of the flesh.

{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."

The Sinless Life
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Youth in Action
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