2 Corinthians 12

Paul knew it was not profitable to glory in himself. Remember, in the previous chapter Paul qualified all the glory for himself (excluding his weakness) by stating it was "foolishness." However, Paul needed to speak of visions and revelations to the church in Corinth. He used the previous chapters to set an important context: The spiritual was more important than the physical. Paul had more to boast of physically than the Corinthians but would only boast of his weaknesses.

Important point: Paul was not boasting about himself at all. That was the context of the following verses...

Paul knew a man (himself) who was taken up to the third heaven. Paul, being humble, did not testify of himself regarding this story. This was why Paul said it was a man he knew, which would have included him knowing himself. If he had said it was himself, he would have been boasting and contradicting the previous two chapters.

Doctrine: There were three realms known as "heaven" in the Bible:

• The most common would be the eternal abode of God, angels, and the redeemed. This was what Paul referred to as the "third heaven" here in 2 Corinthians 12:2. Also, Satan and his minions have access to this realm. This realm is territory that only someone with the Holy Spirit dwelling in their heart, and great understanding of spiritual warfare, should claim the authority to be combative.
• Next, the word "heaven" referred to what we call "outer space." Genesis 1:14-18 spoke of this firmament of heaven where the sun, moon, and stars were placed. This would be the "second heaven".
• Finally, the word "heaven" referred to the sky. Psalm 19:1 stated: "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork." The word heavens in this verse meant "visible heavens, sky." The same was true for Genesis 1:28-30 when it spoke of the birds of the heavens. This would/could be referred to as the "first heaven."

The "third heaven" was called "Paradise". Paul did not know if he bodily went to Paradise or spiritually. Paul heard unspeakable words that were unlawful for him to utter. Paul had revelation that he could not blatantly divulge because it would violate God's Commands. This section was referenced during the commentary for the Book of Ephesians because that book was Paul's general explanation of the meaning of life he blatantly received during the time referenced here but could never blatantly reveal.

Critical point: Paul reiterated he would not glory/boast. Paul only gloried in his weaknesses.

Paul reiterated two more times that he would not glory/boast. Paul just stated three times in two sentences that he would not boast. Remember this because, believe it or not, some public teachers and pastors today completely forget this point during their interpretation of the next verse...

God allowed a messenger of Satan to "buffet" (to strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist) Paul so that he would not be exalted above measure. All we know about this was Paul called it "a thorn in the flesh." It could have been a physical malady or limitation.

Paul received this thorn so that other people would not exalt him.

This thorn was not so that Paul did not exalt himself.

Paul had made it clear that he did not desire to exalt himself. Anyone who teaches that Paul would have boasted of himself, just called Paul a liar, three times. This thorn in the flesh would cause people to respect Paul but not think he was perfect.

Paul asked God for the thorn to be removed three times.

The Lord told him that His grace was sufficient because God's strength is made perfect in weakness. This meant that because of the thorn, Paul would have to rely on God more through grace. Notice, this chapter began with Paul receiving revelation, which was not a sin. We have shown that Paul did not boast.

Critical point: Paul had done nothing wrong in this account.

This verse proved that "unmerited favor" couldn't be the definition of grace. Some people try to make grace into "unmerited favor" by stating Paul sinned. Looking at the context of the previous two chapters, we can see Paul set up this story by repeatedly making the point that God is strongest through a person who is weak, that God's grace works through a person's humility.

The Mind/Soul and the Holy Spirit need to work through a person's flesh. This verse showed that the Holy Spirit comes out strongest through a person where their flesh is weakest, which is grace: "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life."

An additional thought concerning this chapter was that Paul being exalted overly much would lead to others giving to him, and Paul not having as much Reward. God's plan to cause people not to exalt him overly much would result in more Reward for Paul, which was a better plan for Paul than Paul's plan of removing the thorn.

Paul blatantly stated that he took pleasure in his weaknesses. If these weaknesses were sin (e.g., boasting) then Paul would be saying he took pleasure in sinning. Clearly, this chapter could not be interpreted that Paul did something wrong, otherwise, Paul's message would be contradictory. Paul stated WHY he took pleasure in weakness: because when he was weak (in the flesh) God was strong through grace.

Paul closed this discussion with a qualifier: Paul presented this "foolish" perspective because the Corinthians compelled him. Paul reiterated that he was "nothing." Clearly, Paul was willing to consider he was wrong, and he actually did consider he was wrong. If not, Paul would not have stated "forgive me this wrong."

Paul did not want to be a burden to the Corinthians, but wanted to bear their burdens. The more Paul loved them, the less he was loved.

Paul caught them with guile (craft, deceit). This could be why Paul was less loved by them. Paul would have confronted them which may have caused them to falsely believe that Paul was not acting in their best interest which would cause them to stop loving Paul. That was the theme from the beginning of this letter: Paul's loving correction caused the Corinthians to feel sorrow, initially.

Paul made sure the Corinthians also knew none of the people Paul sent to them took advantage of the Corinthians. They spoke before God in Christ and they did all things for the edifying of the Corinthians. Paul closed this chapter warning them of having the same problems they had which caused Paul to write the previous letter...

Theme of Chapter 12: Paul shared visions and revelations to illustrate that he gloried in weaknesses because it was through these weaknesses that God could be strong through him via the Holy Spirit (grace). Paul repeatedly made the point that he and the people he sent were not a burden to the Corinthians, but actually did everything for the edifying of the Corinthians.