2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:1[]

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Continuing his admonitions from the previous thoughts (remember, chapters are later, uninspired additions), Paul explains that though it is not normally an expedient thing for him to talk about these things, he will finish the point he was making about boasting. He only states the things he has as a counterpoint to show what should be important compared to what the Judaizers within the church considered important. Ultimately this is to highlight the vanity of the Judaizers boasting and to defend his office as an apostle against them and their tactic of claiming to be apostles to lead people to Moses.

The last thing he brings up then is one of the visions and revelations from Jesus he received. Visions are like what Peter in Acts 10 and John in Revelation 1 experienced. Revelations are the message conveyed through various means including these visions.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4[]

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.

A. I knew a man in Christ...[]

Paul knew a Christian. He does not state specifically who and there are two possibilities.

Paul is talking about some other Christian.
Paul is talking about himself.

I believe it is this latter and so will only present evidence for this. Paul is in the midst of defending his apostleship against the Judaizers. It is an abrupt and out of place transition to talk about what someone else received when the context is that of defending himself. The personal and specific nature of the details of this event support this.

B. Above fourteen years ago...[]

Fourteen years before Paul wrote this second letter to the church at Corinth. Anything more about the exact timing is 1) not necessary to know, and 2) mere conjecture.

C. (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows)...[]

Paul, having experienced this event, after fourteen years to consider it, still cannot tell whether he was physically transported or whether it was just his spiritual self that was involved. This is one of those things that, to me, strongly supports the idea that Paul was talking about himself. If it was about another, I cannot see that this parenthetical would be such a big deal that Paul was refer to it twice. He also uses the word "tell" which means "to discern". How could he even hope to make that discernment if he was not personally experiencing the event? What evidence other than personally experiencing the event could he use to "tell"? The word makes no sense to me if this is someone else he is speaking of.

Furthermore, this speaks to the idea of the dual nature of man, the physical and the spiritual. Paul speaks of this a number of times, and at length in Romans 7 -8. This is the difference between the human who was made from the dust of the ground to which he will return (Genesis 3:19) like the animals, and the part of man that is made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27).

However this vision is taking place, it is supernatural in nature.

D. such a one caught up to the third heaven...[]

The third heaven here is contextually a spiritual realm akin to Paradise (see part E.) which is supported by the point that Paul makes about not knowing if he was physically there or just there in a spriritual sense.

There are four heavens spoken of in scripture:

The sky where birds fly - Genesis 1:8, 20; Psalm 104:12
Space where the sun, moon, and stars exist - Genesis 2:1; 22:17; Psalm 8:3
God's throne room, the final abode of faithful souls - Psalm 11:4; Revelation 4
Metaphorically the sphere of government and human authority as a reflection of God's authority in Heaven - Isa. 1:2,10

The third heaven, sometimes called "the heaven of heavens" (1 Kings 8:27), is a literal place one can go to as evidenced by Paul's words here -- he was there, but didn't know if he was there only spiritually or physically as well. Being both literal and spiritual in nature, we rule out the sky and space and the metaphorical heaven leaving only Heaven, God's throne.

What I believe is that Paul, like John in the book of Revelation, sees a vision of Heaven and receives information (revelation) from God. More on the nature of this revelation in point F below.

E. And I knew such a man...how that he was caught up into paradise...[]

Paradise is a different location than Heaven, so Paul, in his vision, is shown both places. Paradise is where Jesus went when He died on the cross (Luke 23:43) which we know to be the "good" side of Hades, what Christ called "Abraham's Bosom" in Luke 16:22.

F. and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.[]

This is the content of the revelation that Paul received during his visionary journey. It is akin to what John received in Revelation 10:4. It is not so much that Paul received information that he could not then pass on to the church eventually. It was that he was given words that were of such terrible impact on His people that it was unspeakable for him. That it was not "lawful" for Paul to speak these things has to do with the Mosaical Law, that he, as a Jew, could be condemned for under the law of Moses. What I believe Paul received were things very similar to what John received about the end of Judaism. I believe this is bourne out by both the near context (he is speaking against Judaizers) and the remote context of the book of Revelation and the nature of John's vision.

IF this is about things Paul was not allowed by God to talk about at all, Paul just sinned by talking about it.

2 Corinthians 12:5-6[]

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.

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory - Paul is contrasting his office of apostle that he is defending with his personal self. This contrast is counter to what the Judaizers were doing, boasting of themselves and lifting themselves up to gain personal power.

The only thing Paul would concentrate on personally are the things that could make him weak. Infirmities, though, can be either physical or spiritual in nature. The way Paul speaks of these infirmities in this context I believe put them in the latter category. I'll expound on this in the section.

Paul's point is that, as an example to the church at Corinth, they could tell who the real apostles were by what they assigned value to. Those who sought personal glory and power were fools and not sent by God. Paul wanted them to examine him and compare him to this standard so that it would be evident that he was a real apostle and that the Judaizers were not.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10[]

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.

Paul says that, just in case he was tempted to be like those he was just condemning, to lift himself up because of all the information God was giving him due to his office, he was also given "a thorn in the flesh". Much ado has been made of what this thorn in the flesh is. Some say it is his poor eyesight or some other physical handicap. I don't agree with that assessment. The text tells you what the thorn is...the messenger of Satan.

First of all, I'd like to point out that the word "messenger" here is the same word that is translated "angel" in a number of other places. I highlight this to note that the word can be used to refer to more than one kind of being and it is more of a job description than a "species" designation.

Secondly, this messenger is "of Satan". I believe that this is the very Judaizers Paul is talking about. They were constantly antagonizing him, following him all over the Roman Empire, trying to tear down what he built up. Read the book of Acts. Almost every letter to a congregation includes something about not following the law of Moses any more. Also, I have shown in other places (Revelation 2 -3; 12 -13) where the Jewish state is metaphorically referred to as Satan and the Jews the spawn of Satan (John 8:44).

Paul appeals to God that he not have to deal with this messenger, but God tells Paul that what God has given to Paul, essentially the message that he speaks, is sufficient for Paul, for that is what the power of Christ is (Romans 1:16). Furthermore, Paul is made stronger by the conflict with the Judaisers, a real testament to the man who had once been Saul of Tarsus, Persecutor of the church of Christ.

Because the things that test Paul make him stronger, and he has come to understand that, he relishes them. This is not to say that he is a sadist and enjoys being persecuted for its own sake, but that he is glad for the challenge, for the opportunity to grow, much the same way that an intellectual student relishes an upcoming academic test where others in their class bemoan or fear it.

2 Corinthians 12:11-12[]

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.

Paul then laments that he had to go through this mental exercise with them. Instead of being defended by the church in Corinth, Paul finds himself defending his office to yet another congregation. One of the very things that showed his apostleship was his ability to do multiple miracles (something only apostles could do, whereas non-apostles could only do one - 1 Cor. 12). Moreover, this is another example showing that miracles were for confirming that the speaker was from God, not for producing individual faith.

2 Corinthians 12:13-19[]

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.

Paul again speaks in terms of his relationship to them as father to children metaphorically to illustrate a point. This is NOT authorizing the whole Catholic "Father so-and-so" mess or saying that the apostles were to be called father. It's a metaphor. To illustrate a point.

Paul writes to the church at Corinth about their financial support of him. He apologizes for being a financial burden to them and states that when he comes to them for this third visit, it will not be the case. He is not there for their material goods (like the Judaizers and other false teachers were), he is there for them, to help them get to Heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:20-21[]

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.

Paul's fear is that, if they do not begin to recognize the difference between himself and the false apostles, that he would not find them as they need to be when he comes, rather that they would be fighting amongst themselves because of these false teachings. He would rather they correct the problem before he gets there, much the way the 7 congregations of Asia were supposed to get rid the Judaizers among them, else he would have to come to them with rebuke and chastisement rather than in joy and fellowship.

In Truth and Love.