This chapter is a continuation of chapter 11 in that the Apostle Paul continues a defense of his ministry and the ministry of his fellow workers for the Gospel. Since he and other apostles were continually receiving criticism from both within and without the Church, this epistle offers a once and for all rebuttal to the criticism and a rebuke to those who were voicing false information in an effort to destroy the work of the apostles and the going forth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Verses 1-2 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.
The Apostle Paul should not have had to defend himself as the fruits of his labor should have been proof enough of his calling by the LORD Jesus Christ into the ministry of evangelism, and although it was not convenient and appropriate for him to boast about his ministry, he was doing so for the purpose of shutting up those people who were spreading misinformation and harming the work of the LORD. So here he continues his defense by bringing attention to the visions and revelations given to him by Jesus Christ. The definition of a vision in the context of the verse above is an experience of seeing someone or something in a dream or trance, or as a supernatural apparition. So the Apostle Paul tells about one such vision and states himself that he was not sure if he was physically in his body or if he was outside of his body, but he had a supernatural experience.
Application: Verse 2 above is the only place in Scripture where there is mention of a third heaven. Various scholars have theorized as to what and where this heaven is, but one can assume that since the Apostle Paul specified this heaven as being the third, then there must be a first and a second heaven also. So this writer proposes that Heaven is all that is above the Earth but that specific parts of Heaven have specific purposes. The first heaven is that which is above the soil and water of Earth and in which mankind and animal kind and plant kind live, breath and move. The second heaven is the domain and abode of Satan and his fallen angels. The third heaven is where the throne of God is placed and where the saints of God abide at this present time. There is no Biblical support for this idea, but it makes sense to this writer. All three aspects of God’s creation have a heaven in which to function: those on the earth, fallen unclean spirits, and the people of God along with the faithful angels. The natural progression is that the people in the first heaven can receive salvation and be the children of God or reject it and be the children of Satan, the fallen angels in the second heaven are condemned already and will end up in the Lake of Fire, and those people in the third heaven received salvation and are living eternity with the LORD and the faithful angels. As stated in various places in this web site, God appears to do things in threes, the number of perfection, so having three aspects of Heaven would be consistent.
Verses 3-5 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.
Most people and scholars believe that the ‘man’ referenced above was indeed the Apostle Paul and that this experience happened when he was stoned by the Jews and left for dead. This writer has not found Scripture to substantiate this opinion absolutely, but it makes sense that at the time of the stoning, the Apostle Paul had what is often referred to today as “an out of body experience” in which his spirit left for a brief time and then returned to his body so that he lived physically and continued the ministry the LORD had given him. The Greek word translated as “caught up” is “harpazo” and it means to carry off, to snatch out or away, or to catch away. The word implies that another entity or power is involved so that the Apostle Paul had no control over this experience but was taken or carried off by the power of the LORD. The Greek word translated as “paradise” is “paradeisos” and it means a garden, pleasure ground, park, the upper regions of the heavens, or a dwelling place for the righteous above and beyond the world. Remember that Jesus when dying on the cross told the dying, repentant thief that he would be in paradise that very day. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 So the Apostle Paul was able to go to this place while in his spirit and not in his body and the experience was so powerful and amazing he was not able to discuss it when back in his physical body. The Greek word translated as “unspeakable” is “arrhetos” and it means unspeakable on account of its sacredness. So although he had been to paradise and more than likely saw the LORD Jesus Christ face to face and many other wonderful things, he did not boast about it but only focused on his hardships and persecutions which resulted in infirmities. All physical or emotional weakness or trauma was borne willingly as the Apostle Paul was like Jesus Christ who bore the sins of the world and paid the price with His own blood so that all who will can be saved from sin, death, and Hell.
Verse 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.
Application: It is normal for mankind to want to be praised for accomplishments, talents, or a job well done. This is not pride. It is just wanting to have recognition from others so that one knows that one has been successful. Without a certain amount of positive recognition, people may be unsure of themselves and fearful to continue with whatever course of action they are engaged in. It is a way to know the right path from the wrong. It only becomes pride when the recognition becomes the motivation for one’s actions and when the credit is not given to God. It would have been extremely easy for the Apostle Paul to receive recognition from the churches he established simply because of his powerful experiences with the LORD and with the gifts of the spirit which he used when witnessing to others, all of which could have easily led to a prideful attitude which God hates. The Apostle Paul in his epistle to Timothy mentioned in verse 6 and 7 of chapter three that being lifted up with pride could cause one to fall into the condemnation of the devil, into reproach, and into the snare of the devil. As stated before, believers in Christ Jesus need to become like Jesus and like the Apostle Paul. They are the role models of how to live a successful Christian life in a sinful world. Believers need to be just nobodies trying to tell everybody about somebody, the LORD Jesus Christ.
Verses 7-10 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.
The Apostle Paul states that in order for his flesh not to become prideful because of his position in the Kingdom of God and his leadership role over the churches, God gave him something that would remind him that he could do nothing in his own strength without the LORD. He could only succeed with the help of the Holy Ghost/Spirit and he would have to walk in the Spirit and abide by His leadership in order to not only physically survive, but to spiritually thrive in the battle between good and evil. His total dependence on the LORD was required for him to fulfill the leadership role the LORD Jesus had given him so that the Gentile world could have the message of the Gospel.
Application: What was the “thorn in the flesh”? Multiple answers to this question have been offered, the majority of opinions claiming that the thorn was a physical ailment, particularly one that affected the Apostle Paul’s eyesight. The fact that many of the epistles the Apostle Paul wrote and sent throughout the churches were written by co-workers has lead to this wrong conclusion. But the answer is in the text above and is so patently clear that if boggles this writer’s mind that Christian believers cannot read and understand the explanation given above in verse 7 as explained by the Apostle Paul himself. The Greek word translated as “thorn” is “skolops” and it means a pointed piece of wood, a stake, a sharp stake, or a splinter. The Apostle Paul was not saying that in order for him to not become prideful, God shoved a splinter or a pointed piece of wood into his skin or flesh somewhere on his body which could not be removed and which had to be carried around with him his whole life. It is metaphor for something very irritating, annoying, and/or painful. Today people may make the statement that someone or something is a “pain in the …”, also a metaphor. The answer to the question is in the last part of verse 7 above. The “thorn” was “the messenger of Satan”. An evil spirit, a fallen angel was allowed to “buffet” or mistreat the Apostle Paul. The word “angel” means a messenger. Satan did not want the Church to grow and his major target was the Apostle Paul, and so he would send his messenger to attempt to thwart the ministry of the apostle and God allowed this. Notice that the Apostle Paul in verse 8 above refers to this messenger as a thing and does not name a physical disease or infirmity. He could not battle the powers of darkness without the help of the LORD Jesus and so this dependency upon the LORD would always keep him humble. And this dependency was what led to so many miracles in the Apostle Paul’s life. This messenger from Satan caused persecution of the Apostle Paul, and that persecution led to physical beatings, imprisonment, shipwreck, stoning, and other hardships that most likely cause him to have physical trauma, injuries, and even disabilities like vision difficulties. But the thorn was an actual evil spirit, plain and simple.
Verse 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.
Because of the criticism coming from the Corinthian church and beyond, the Apostle Paul has had to waste time and energy defending himself against the lies and misinformation that has been spread. Instead of the people of the Corinthian church voicing approval and praise for the one who had brought to them the Gospel message, they either kept silent or joined in with Paul’s adversaries.
Verses 12-13 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.
The Apostle Paul came to the Corinthians with the power of God which was evidenced by his preaching and teaching and by the many miracles and signs that followed him. Yet they failed to support him, especially financially. Here he repeats that when he was with them, he was never a burden to them, but took care of his own physical needs, whereas other churches sent various gifts to him for his support.
Verses 14-16 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.
The Apostle Paul assures the Corinthians that should he come a third time he will again not require anything from them but come with the attitude of giving of himself to them. He compares his relationship with them to that of a father and his children in that it is the father’s responsibility to care for the children and not the responsibility of the children to care for the father. He is fully aware that the more he loves this church and the more he invests of his life and ministry in this church, the less he is loved and appreciated by them.
Verses 17-18 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?
He reminds them, by asking questions that they have to think about, that all the servants of the LORD that he sent to help them followed his example and required nothing from the Corinthians for their work and service among them.
Verses 19-21 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. (2 Corinthians 12)
The Apostle Paul lists sins and sinful behaviors that, unfortunately, are often found in Christian churches today. He is hoping that when he returns to this church he will not find them sinning and in disharmony, attacking each other and causing division.