Day 161 – Wednesday, August 13, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

2 Corinthians 12

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

The Vision of Paradise

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—⁴ how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵ Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. ⁶ For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 

(2 Corinthians 12:1–6, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul went further in establishing his legitimacy by referencing a vision he had where he was caught up into the third heaven and heard “inexpressible words” revealing the mysteries of God.
• He deflected this story by saying that he would not boast of it, but would boast of his infirmities, his weaknesses. He would have liked to boast, but did not want to be a fool.

The Thorn in the Flesh

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 (2 Corinthians 12:7–11, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• But even though Paul received tremendous revelations from God, he could not boast, because God made sure of it.
• God gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble. He called it a “messenger of Satan.” Some speculate that it was his eyesight, or else a wife that did not support his ministry. The exact nature of the thorn is not spelled out in this chapter, though.
• Paul prayed to God three times for him to take this infirmity away from him, but the Lord refused. He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
• In response to God, Paul said that he would boast in his weakness, because in it only God could receive the glory. He said that he could endure the trials and troubles of his life for Christ’s sake. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Signs of an Apostle

¹¹ I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. ¹² Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. ¹³ For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! 

(2 Corinthians 12:11–13, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul stated that he had made a fool of himself in his boasting, but that their doubts of him had made it necessary. They should have commended him due to the signs of his apostleship.
• He asked what he had done that they did not see his value?
• Whatever is was, he asked forgiveness (a bit of sarcasm).

Love for the Church

¹⁴ Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ¹⁵ And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

¹⁶ But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! ¹⁷ Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

¹⁹ Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. ²⁰ For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; ²¹ lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. 

(2 Corinthians 12:14–21, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul announced his upcoming third trip to Corinth. He said that he would provide for his own expenses, and spend and be spent for them.
• He also reminded them that he had not been paid by them, nor did his fellow workers take advantage of them.
• Paul told them that all he had done was for their edification. He longed to build up the church and warned them of those who would destroy.
• He asked them not to be at odds with one another. He wanted there to be peace in the church and cooperation for the sake of the gospel.
• He asked them to live holy and please God so that he would not sorrow among them.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.