2 Corinthians 12

Second Corinthians 12 belongs to chapters 10–13, in which Paul defends his apostleship. The "boasting as a fool" that begins in 2 Corinthians 11 continues in this chapter.

Outline

• Verses 1–6 Paul speaks of "a man in Christ." Fourteen years earlier this man was caught up to the third heaven, that is, into paradise, where he heard words that no one may utter.
• Verses 7–10 So that Paul would not be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. Paul besought the Lord three times that it might depart from him, but he received the answer, "My grace is sufficient for thee." He therefore resolves to glory in his infirmities.
• Verses 11–13 Paul says that he is in no way behind "the very chiefest apostles" and that he performed the signs of an apostle among the Corinthians.
• Verses 14–18 Paul announces his third visit. He says that he seeks not their possessions but the Corinthians themselves, and he states that he never took advantage of them through Titus or the brother sent with him.
• Verses 19–21 Paul says that everything he has said is for the Corinthians' edification. He fears that when he comes again he will find strife among them and fornication of which they have not repented.

Key Verses

• 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." This is the central confession of the chapter: God's power is revealed in human weakness.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10: "For when I am weak, then am I strong." This verse sums up in a single sentence Paul's paradox of glorying in weakness.

People and Places

• Paul: The apostle who wrote the letter.
• Titus: Paul's co-worker, whom he sent to Corinth.
• A brother: The man sent along with Titus. The text does not give his name.
• Paradise: Referred to as equivalent to the third heaven.
• Corinth: The city where the church that received the letter was located.

Points for Reflection

• Because "a man" is linked to verse 7, the phrase is usually taken to refer to Paul himself. The text does not specify exactly when "fourteen years ago" was.
• The "third heaven" is thought to reflect Jewish expressions of the time that spoke of heaven as having several levels. Paradise also appears in Luke 23:43 and Revelation 2:7.
• The text does not say what the "thorn in the flesh" was. Interpretations differ, proposing an eye ailment (citing Galatians 4:13–14), some other illness, or persecution by opponents. The view that it was an illness is frequently raised in discussions of divine healing.
• Paul's statement that he placed no financial burden on the church connects with 2 Corinthians 11:7–9 and Acts 20:33–34.

In the Korean Church

Verses 9–10 are frequently quoted in sermons and testimonies dealing with suffering and weakness.