2 Corinthians
Chapter 12
Overview
Paul continues a tense defense of his work among the community in Corinth. He speaks indirectly about an overwhelming heavenly vision, but refuses to make spiritual experiences his claim to greatness. Instead, he describes a painful “thorn,” the Lord’s answer, and the strange strength that can appear inside weakness. He then explains why he accepted no financial support from them, challenges suspicions that he exploited them through others, and prepares for a third visit. His deepest concern is not winning the argument, but whether their relationships and conduct can withstand an honest meeting.
1I have to boast, though it does no good. But now I will move on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I know a man who belongs to the Messiah who, fourteen years ago, was suddenly taken up to the third heaven. Whether he was physically there or outside his body, I do not know; God knows.
3I know that this man—whether he was in his body or apart from it, I do not know; God knows—
4was taken up into paradise. There he heard things that cannot be put into words and that no human being is permitted to tell.
5I will boast about a man like that. But I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be foolish, because I would be telling the truth. But I hold back so that no one will think more of me than what they see me do or hear me say.
7Because these revelations were so extraordinary, I was given a thorn in my body to keep me from becoming proud—a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me.
9But he told me, “My grace—my freely given help—is enough for you, because power reaches its full strength in weakness.” So I will gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah’s power may spread over me like a shelter.
10That is why, for the Messiah’s sake, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecution, and distress. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
11I have acted like a fool, but you forced me to do it. You should have spoken in my defense. I was not inferior in any way to those supposedly superior apostles, even though I am nothing.
12The evidence that marks a true apostle—an authorized messenger—was demonstrated among you with complete endurance through miraculous signs, wonders, and acts of power.
13In what way were you worse off than the other communities of believers, except that I did not become a financial burden to you? Forgive me for this terrible wrong!
14I am now ready to come to you for the third time, and I will not burden you. I do not want your possessions; I want you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents. Parents should save up for their children.
15I will gladly spend everything I have and let myself be completely spent for you. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16All right, I did not burden you. Still, perhaps I was so crafty that I trapped you by deception?
17Did I take advantage of you through any of the people I sent to you?
18I urged Titus to go and sent another fellow believer with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same path?
19Have you been thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves to you? As people joined to the Messiah, we speak in God’s presence. Dear friends, everything we do is meant to build you up—to make you stronger.
20I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may find me not as you want me to be. I fear there may be quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, slander, whispered gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humble me before you. I may have to mourn over many who sinned before and have not turned away from the sexual impurity, sexual immorality, and uncontrolled sensual behavior they practiced.