Pauls humility: to keep me from becoming conceited. The verb here (Gk. (2) "In the flesh" as used in this verse would almost surely indicate a bodily infirmity; but Hughes declares the word to be "for the flesh," Philip E. Hughes, op. 2 Corinthians 12 - Bible Hub There is nothing known of any vision Paul had at that time, except what is related here; although he had numerous visions. There are no geographical connotations whatever in these words, for the third heaven where God dwells is not a thing of space and physical location at all. Etc., etc. 1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. Access 50+ premium resources. Acts 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. Paradise This word in the New Testament is found only here and in Luke 23:43 and in Revelation 2:7. cit., p. 185. (a) a door, (b) met: an opportunity. James Macknight, Apostolical Epistles and Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1969), p. 455. There is no authority whatever for making this mean the same thing as "the third heaven," despite the fact of endless arguments that they are the same. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradisewhether in the body or out of the body I do not . On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weakness. 9But he said to me, My grace(A) is sufficient for you, for my power(B) is made perfect in weakness. Gods grace here is not primarily objective, forgiving grace (as in, say, Rom. cit., p. 183. Or was it the Lord? (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13), 21. The Letters To Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, And Thyatira, 74. Scholars who talk about being "reasonable" should be reasonable about these apostolic miracles. 19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? 14Behold, 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. ($2,500+ value!). 2 Corinthians 12 NLT - Paul's Vision and His Thorn in the - Bible Gateway Mans Failures Do Not Frustrate the Purposes of God (Romans 11:1-12), 16. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. Plainly, Paul did not intend to convey any information at all beyond the fact that he had experienced such marvelous events. The magnificent Paul would meet the challenge frontally; there would be no compromise; and either the sinners would renounce their sins or the church of God would renounce them. This is a tone not of resignation but of eagerness. cit., p. 1086. anankai): experiences that squeeze Paul, forcing him to He had been given a revelation of heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:16. Read full chapter 2 Corinthians 12:9 in all English translations Did Titus make a gain of you? Probably Paul was intentionally vague, not only for maximal application but also to prevent spotlighting his own life any more than necessary. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Find answers to your Bible questions with Bible Gateway Plus. Could he possibly have done such a thing unless they were indeed legitimate, accepted and proved miracles? General Rule #2: There Must Be Universal Sincerity of Obedience. The Power of God, Prayer, and the Christians Hope (Ephesians 1:19-23), 3. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 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. Jesus and the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-12), 2. There has never been anything written that carries any greater internal evidence of being the truth, than what Paul wrote here. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Believer, 10. The Leader and Suffering (1 Peter 5:1-7). 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Part of the ESV Expository Commentary series. cit., p. 406. The conviction here is that Paul described two experiences taking place on one occasion. Sweet Company, 1967), p. 70. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? Furthermore, this was directed against him who loved Israel so much that he would have given his life if they could have been saved, declaring: I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethrens sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites: whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises (Romans 9:3,4). This is the surprising way into power from on high. 17For we are not like the many[f] who market Gods message(S) for profit. Lightfoot suggested "blasphemous thoughts of the devil." Paul continually viewed his lack of success in winning Israel as weakness; and from the earthly viewpoint it was weakness. cit., p. 416. for repudiating these last four chapters as part of this epistle. Moreover this verse implies clearly that other true apostles were doing similar mighty works, Frank V. Filson, op. 3:5-17), 29. Each is the equivalent of "a man in Christ" (2 Corinthians 12:2) and should be understood as Pauls repeated affirmation of the truth of his experiences being, in a sense, not his own but Christs. Innovations in the Text and Translation of the NET Bible, New Testament: Daniel B. Wallace: 1: 5. We do not know. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - Paul's Thorn and God's Grace - Bible Hub Norman Hillyer, The New Bible Commentary, Revised (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. Bible > 2 Corinthians > Chapter 12 > Verse 9 eBibles Free Downloads Audio 2 Corinthians 12:9 Context Crossref Comment Greek Authentic Apostleship (2 Cor. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for The verb for rest (Gk. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. In fact, miracles never had any other purpose. Suffering, Satan, and Standing Firm (1 Peter 5:8-14), Lesson 2: Our All-Sufficient Resources In Christ (2 Peter 1:3-4), 11. Thanksgiving for the Philippians Gift and a Final Greeting (Philippians 4:10-23), Lesson 2: Stay Faithful without Fear (2 Timothy 1:1-7), 1. Paul is not saying he is merely content with every mortal weakness that renders him frail and seemingly vulnerable. Question: Has the gift of speaking in tongues ceased in the 21st Century church? Power for what? While this appears to be true enough, a warning should be sounded against all of the nonsense that has been written about what occurred on that visit, if it really happened. Paul was writing to a congregation that contained bitter and unscrupulous enemies of the truth; yet Paul dared to call attention to his miracles in this letter. [] 2 For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me[] 3 I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn't have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours 5If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degreenot to exaggerate(B)to all of you. In a mysterious overlay of divine sovereignty and evil, even satanic activity falls within the scope of Gods sovereign purposes. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. Philip E. Hughes, op. We today might picture a small rosebush thorn, but the term used (Gk. Dane and his wife, Stacey, have five children. Lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and lasciviousness which they have committed. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Troas, a place in Asia Minor. Is the devil to blame for our sin and suffering? Like the visions themselves, the thorn in the flesh is little more than a hint, revealed in terms of tantalizing brevity, and described by enigmatical allusions which have puzzled people for centuries. 1 I must go on boasting. Were wrought By this Paul disclaimed personal credit for his mighty miracles, regarding himself "only as the instrument of the power of God." I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 21In fact, I made up my mind about this:[a] I would not come to you on another painful visit. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. He is incapable of doing anything that is morally tainted. This is the mystery, the wonder, the glory, of apostolic Christianity: our weakness attracts, not repels, Gods own power. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. It should also be noted that the four pairs of disorders are exactly those which existed at the time of the writing of 1 Corinthians, making this letter a logical sequel to that, and not to some supposed "severe letter" written later. Not yours, but you Paul wanted more than money from them; he wanted them. This leads to the conclusion that a second visit, in between the two canonical epistles, was made, the one usually referred to as "the painful visit." (4) In Thessalonians there is a probable reference to the thorn in the flesh, wherein Paul said, "Satan hindered me" (1 Thessalonians 2:18); and a reference to the occasion of that remark (Acts 17:9) indicates that the Jewish opposition had contrived (through Pauls friends) an agreement that prevented his return. The Father of the Bride Exposes the Master of Deceit (2 Cor. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Here Paul introduces the thorn in the flesh that afflicted him in the wake of his heavenly experience. The Rejection of Israel's Messiah - Part IV (Luke 23:26-49), Appendix: For Further Thought (Chapter Study Guides), 4. The slander was that, whereas Paul did not take money personally, he was getting the big collection being raised for the poor saints. Jesus had been with the thief in Paradise already, but he had not yet ascended to the third heaven. That Paul pled with the Lord to have the thorn removed is further proof that the Lord was the one providentially behind the giving of the thorn. . "The genitive of the Lord is subjective, not objective." 2 Corinthians 12:12 The true marks of an apostle--signs, wonders, and miracles--were performed among you with great perseverance. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Living on the Edge of Eternity (1 Peter 4:7-11). The Gospel Under Siege: Christianity Confronts a Cult (Acts 15:1-31), 8. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;). Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 12 - King James Bible > 2 Corinthians > Chapter 12 > Verse 12 eBibles Free Downloads Audio 2 Corinthians 12:12 Context Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version cit., p. 176. Children ought not to lay up for parents This teaching should not be misunderstood. God Uses Esther to Save His People (Esther 5-10), Lesson 12: Are You Ready for His Coming? The problem was that, despite the good news brought by Titus, "there was still a minority of Christians in the city who were still carnally minded and undisciplined in the school of Christ." It was with Paul, as it was with Samuel when the Lord asked, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him?" Again, the thorn had impaled him; and what was it? The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9.1-10): Some Biblico-Theological Reflections, 30. cit., p. 411. 2 Corinthians 12:9 - King James Bible Online But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. cit., p. 455. The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets, and First Two Woes (Rev 9:1-20), Lesson 64: Religion Versus Reality (Luke 13:10-17), Thirty-Three Words for Sin in the New Testament Part 1, 8. Enter code FAITH to save on yearly membership. The thorns purpose is to deflate the certainty that Paul would quietly become puffed up over his indescribable experience of heaven. J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 942. What Does It Mean that Women Are to Submit to Their Husbands? skolops) could designate objects as large as a stake on which one might be impaled. Introduction to the Things Predictive (Rev 4:1-22:21), 1. even as he himself upon true repentance had forgiven him; declaring why he departed from Troas to Macedonia. . His spiritual power surges forward. The Magnificent Meal on Mt. Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me of the Lord. He embraces them. Can you help me understand God's perfect will versus His permissive will? A Soft Pillow for Troubled Hearts and Suffering Bodies, 26. 1:3-11), Lesson 4: Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners (1 Timothy 1:12-17), 9. On this account, his glorying is "glorying in the Lord," not in himself. (1 Samuel 16:1). (11-21) Verses 1-6 There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. I Corinthians 12 | NKJV Bible | YouVersion And so, to sum up: When I am weak, then I am strong. Paul refers not simply to isolated and occasional experiences of weakness, in which case strength ignites. 11I have done this so that we may not be taken advantage(F) of by Satan. cit., p. 165. 2. The words "caught up" are the same that Luke used of Philip (Acts 8:39) and that Paul used of the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:17). 2 Corinthians 12:9 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. cit., p. 637. The thorn was given to harass Paul surely the work of the Devil. And a door was opened unto me of the Lord; and a door had been opened to me in the Lord, Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Why Pauls Absence Should Make the Corinthians Hearts Grow Fonder (2 Cor. The Encouragement of Election (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10), 1. Paul's Final Words (1 Thessalonians 5:23-28), 25. As a result, Pauls pursuits are flipped upside down. Does the Bible speak more about Hell than Heaven? 10If you forgive anyone, I do too. What Is the Mark of the Beast? Just as the third heaven (2 Cor. Revelation - Appendix 3: Who Are the Overcomers? This grace is further clarified by the next clause: for my power is made perfect in weakness. It is a grace that channels divine power. (1-6) Which were improved to his spiritual advantage. Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content 2 Corinthians 12 King James Version 12 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. Man's Failures Do Not Frustrate the . For I fear, lest by any means, when I came, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings whisperings, swellings, tumults. R. A. Knox, The Epistles and Gospels, p. 79. 10Therefore 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. 2:12-18), Paul and Civil Obedience in Romans 13:1-7, You can also search by simple or complex references like: James 1:2 or Hebrews 1:1-3,6; 5:4. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. ESV Expository Commentary: RomansGalatians (Volume 10). 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.