A wild bramble growing from a crack in an old rough stone wall, one small white flower open among its thorns in soft dawn light.

The Book of

2 Corinthians 12

Paul could boast of a glimpse of Paradise. Instead he tells of a thorn he begged God to remove, and the answer he got instead.

21 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2:13ComfortWhy Paul changed his plans
2:14–5:10Treasure in clayThe glory of the new covenant
5:11–7Be reconciledOpen your hearts; joy restored
8–9Generous givingThe gift for the saints
10–13Strong in weaknessPaul's defence of his ministryChapter 12

Paul’s Revelation

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

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I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Question

Quick question

Paul tells of the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him, and he is honest about what he doesn’t know.

What does Paul say twice that he does not know about the man “caught up to the third heaven”?

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

Strength in weakness

Whiteboard

Follow Paul’s line of thought. Something painful is given to him, and he asks the Lord three times to take it away. The answer is not the one he asked for, but it is better: grace enough, and Christ’s power shown in the very place Paul is weakest. So Paul stops hiding his weaknesses and starts boasting in them, “so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me, or because of these surpassingly great revelations.

Seen from behind, a man in a plain wool cloak kneels alone on a bare rock at night under a few stars.

Listen · Read along

So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

2 Corinthians 12:9

That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Reflect

Grace for this

Paul asked three times for the thorn to go. The Lord’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you.” What weakness, ache or limit are you carrying right now? Write it down, and keep bringing it to God. Then write how His grace might be enough for you today, and where His power might show up in the very place you feel weakest.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

Paul

If I love you more, will you love me less?

2 Corinthians 12:15

Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?

Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up. For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

Pray

Enough grace

Thank the Lord that His grace is enough for you, and that His power is made perfect in weakness. Bring Him your own thorn, honestly, and ask Him to take it away if it is His will, or to let “the power of Christ” rest on you as you carry it. Pray for your church, that it would be built up in love, and for leaders who spend themselves for others.

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2 Corinthians 12

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A verse to carry with you

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

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