2 Corinthians 12

(1)  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
(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.
(3)  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
(4)  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
(5)  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
(6)  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
(7)  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
(8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
(9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(10)  Therefore 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.
(11)  I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
(12)  Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
(13)  For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
(14)  Behold, 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.
(15)  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
(16)  But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
(17)  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
(18)  I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
(19)  Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
(20)  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
(21)  And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

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Study Questions

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1. If Paul’s glorying was not expedient (spiritually helpful), why did he do it? What is the difference in visions and revelations? Verse 1.

2. Can we tell who the man in Christ was? What do you think is meant by “the third heaven”? Verse 2.

3. Do you think Paul is repeating himself for emphasis or his describing a second event, indicated by the plural “visions” and “revelations”? Verse 3.

4. Can an argument be made that the “third heaven” and “paradise” are NOT the same place? Why didn’t Paul tell what he heard? Verse 4.

5. Although Paul would not glory in on his own behalf, on whose behalf would he glory? Verse 5.

6. If Paul desired to glory, it would be the truth, but why refrain from doing so? Verse 6.

7. What was given Paul to prevent pride or exaltation on his part the cause of the greatness of the revelations? What is significant about the terms used to describe it? Verse 7.

8. The New Testament does not tell us what it was, but what are some of the explanations? What is your studied idea about what it was? Verse 7.

9. For what thing and how many times did Paul pray to God? Verse 8.

10. How did God answer Paul’s prayer, as he so often answers such prayers? Verse 9.

11. What was Paul’s reaction to God’s answer to his prayer? Verses 9-10.

12. What is the paradox in this verse? Verse 10.

13. How did the Corinthians compel Paul to “become a fool in glorying” when they should have commended him? Although Paul’s enemies rated him as “nothing,” how did he measure up against the “chiefest apostles”? Verse 11.

14. What proved Paul’s apostleship beyond any doubt? Would Paul have dared to mentioned the “signs” if they have not been genuine? Verse 12.

15. What would have caused Corinth to be equal to the other churches? What is Paul’s ironic statement? Verse 13.

16. As Paul prepares to make a third visit, what is it he wants from Corinth? Verse 14.

17. What reason did Paul give for not wanting support or money from Corinth? Verse 14.

18. What should not have caused the Corinthians to love him less? Verse 15.

19. What insinuation of Paul’s enemies is he replying to here? Verse 16.

20. What is the nature of the “guile” Paul was accused of as indicated by this verse? Verse 17.

21. How did Paul anticipate and negate the suspicions of his enemies with regard to the collection or the saints? Verse 18.

22. Why it was the motive for Paul’s speaking as he did? Verse 19.

23. What did Paul not want to find when he came to Corinth? Verse 20.

24. What would cause Paul to mourn and be humbled when he came to Corinth? Verse 21.