2 Corinthians, Chapter 12
© Copyright 2003 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
In my opinion,
verse 1a belongs with chapter 11.
Paul says that it is not profitable for him
to boast. Vain personal boasting is foolish.
After that short disjoined phrase, Paul turns
to another matter. He now looks to "visions and revelations of the
Lord."
Paul begins to speak of himself in the third
person. He speaks of himself as a man in Christ he knew fourteen years ago.
That man (Paul) was caught up into the third
heaven. He was taken to a place where men go only at the bidding of the Father.
Paul did not try to analyze his experience.
He just experienced it. The manner of his catching away was of no importance.
In this special place, perhaps God’s own
throne room, he experienced things that are inexpressible. Miracles are always
inexpressible.
To those that experience miracles, not
explanation is necessary. To those that do not believe no explanation is
sufficient.
If you have experienced a miracle you know
what I mean. When you tell those that do not know, they just look at you with
that blank, and yet questioning expression. It can be frustrating to tell about
miracles.
Paul said that even if we want to brag about
a certain matter, it is foolish. Telling the truth is not bragging.
Paul experienced great revelations. None of
them were due to his efforts.
Here he speaks about the famous or infamous
thorn in the flesh. This thorn was a messenger (Gr. angelos-angeloV) from
Satan.
Many think that the "thorn" was an
illness. But, notice that Paul says it was a "messenger of Satan."
The Bible never uses the Greek word "angelos"
to describe a physical condition.
The thorn may have been those Judaic
legalists who followed him causing havoc when and where they could.
He prayed about it three times. The answer
was positive.
Christ said, "My grace is sufficient for
you, because my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul went on to say
that rather glory in his infirmities, so that the power of Christ may rest upon
him. Verse 9 is the only verse in the entire Bible in which Christ Jesus uses
the word “grace.” The verse tells us that Christ’s power is exhibited in our
weakness.
God’s grace is sufficient for us today and
yet there are not many who want to glory in (boast about) their weaknesses. As
with Paul, when we are weak, God shows His strength. Far too many Christians
are trying to demonstrate their power, when Christ’s power is exhibited through out weakness and not through our strength.
Paul declared that he took pleasure in his
infirmities. When we admit that we are weak, God takes over.
Apparently some doubted Paul’s authority. In
our day such doubt would be a sign of spiritual ignorance.
Paul was not an inferior apostle, if there
could be an inferior apostle. Each apostle had an area of expertise. Paul’s was
gospel of grace.
Paul said, "The children ought not
to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."
Paul had been a spiritual parent to the
Corinthians. He considered it his duty to care for them.
The parting of the verses may seem odd, but
there were no verses or punctuation in the original, and I believe that 16b
should be part of 17. Verse 16b should
be read with a health dose of humor.
Paul did not try to take advantage of the
Corinthians, or any other Church. He did not do attempt any self-promotion.
He mentions Titus in this section, because hen had written in other places that Titus was one of his
sons-in-the-spirit. Only Titus (Titus 1:4), Timothy (1 Tim. 1:18) and Onesimus
(Philemon 1:10) were that close to Paul.
When Titus, Timothy, and Onesimus treated
others as Paul would have. They conducted themselves with the same spirit and
in the same manner.
God was using this opportunity to establish
His Word and His words. If we do not believe that the messenger has our best
interests at heart we will not hear the message.
Paul did not want the Church at
The perversions mentioned here are evident
within many Churches.
Repented (Gr. metanoeesantoon-metanohsantwn) speaks of a
complete change of mind and direction.
Some teach that repentance is not part of the
Christian experience. They teach that
belief is sufficient. Apparently Paul
was of a different opinion.
Belief brings repentance!
Belief without resulting repentance is an act
of futility!
Repentance does not result in salvation, but
is the result of salvation.