II Corinthians Chapter 12
While super apostles in Paul’s day would boast about the super spiritual things that supposedly happened to them, Paul preferred not to boast about himself for fear of it being misunderstood. But Paul did have something happen to him that was worthy of boasting about. In this chapter he reveals something he had not talked about previously. Even then, he did not give very many details, and he began by talking about himself in the third person. What was it that happened to Paul? He had a vision that happened 14 years prior to this writing. In his vision he went to heaven. Bible scholars have tried to figure out when this vision took place during the timeline of his ministry, but it really has no importance.
Can you imagine an opportunity to see and hear what heaven is like? Paul said this man (himself) was caught up to Paradise or the Third Heaven in this vision. These names are all synonymous with each other: heaven, paradise, and the third heaven. “In the sacred writings three heavens only are mentioned. The first is the atmosphere… The second, the starry heaven… And, thirdly, the place of the blessed, or the throne of the Divine glory.” [Clarke]
Let's Reflect
1. Paul mentions twice something of importance about how he got to heaven. What did he mention twice?
2. Paul mentions things that he heard while in heaven. These things he heard were so great that Paul said what about them?
3. Why did Paul not want to boast about his experience of having this heavenly vision?
4. There has been many great discussions about verse 7 where Paul wrote, “a thorn was given me in the flesh.” The discussion is always about guesses of what the thorn was that inflicted Paul. Looking at the context we can say without any argument that Paul knows the thorn in his flesh was given to him to keep him from becoming conceited. Conceited about what? Conceited about the great vision of heaven he got to experience. Who did God allow to inflict this unknown thorn in Paul’s flesh?
“Perhaps you have looked into the face of a Christian who is always smiling, who never seems to have any worry, is always happy and radiant and, as you have thought about your own circumstances, you have said in your heart, ‘I wish I were he! He seems to have no problems. He doesn’t have to take what I do.’ But perhaps you have lived long enough, as I have, to know that sometimes the most radiant face hides great pressures, and often the man who is being most blessed of God is being most buffeted by the devil.” [Redpath]
5. We can also say that the thorn in his flesh was something that really tortured Paul. He did not want to suffer from it. What did Paul ask God to do three times?
6. God did not answer Paul’s prayer in the way that he had expected. How did he answer his prayer?
7. Paul teaches us an important lesson in verses 9-10. Paul made a decision to concede to God’s will and to learn to be content with his weaknesses [and his thorn in the flesh]. He knew that in doing so, bending the knee (if you will) to Christ, that he would have what resting on his life?
”My grace is sufficient for you.” It is right now. Not that it will be some day, but right now, at this moment, His grace is sufficient. You thought something had to change before His grace would be enough. You thought, “His grace was sufficient once, His grace may be sufficient again, but not now, not with what I am going through.” Despite that feeling, God’s word stands. “My grace is sufficient for you.” Spurgeon wrote, “It is easy to believe in grace for the past and the future, but to rest in it for the immediate necessity is true faith. Believer, it is now that grace is sufficient: even at this moment it is enough for thee.” [Spurgeon]
8. When we are weak, but we depend on Jesus, then we are what?
9. Paul again mentions the authority that he had to be an apostle versus the super apostles. His vision of heaven was real and therefore he truly had a reason he could boast. But Paul did not want to boast about himself, he wanted to boast about Jesus. The true evidence of the authority of his apostleship was the “signs…performed among you…signs and wonders and mighty works.” What do you think Paul is referring to when he speaks of the signs and wonders amongst the brethren of Corinth? See also II Corinthians 3:1-3
10. Verse 19 shows the genius of Paul. He explains that all of his writing was not for the purpose of defending himself and his ministry. (Remember that he said he did not care if he was called a fool for Jesus Christ?) The true purpose of Paul’s writing about his authority in Christ, is found in verses 15 and 16 where he describes his love for them and then in verses 20-21. Why did Paul write to the church at Corinth?
