Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
2 CORINTHIANS 12
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Application Notes
12:2-3 Paul continues his "boasting" by telling about visions and revelations he had received from the Lord. This certified his authority as an apostle and prophet. "I know a man in Christ" means that Paul was speaking about himself. He explained that he didn't know if he was taken up in his body or in his spirit, but he had been in paradise ("the third heaven," perhaps a reference to the highest part of the heavens, beyond the atmosphere and the stars, where God himself lives and rules; also mentioned in 1 Peter 3:22). This incident cannot be positively identified with a recorded event in Paul's career, although some think this may have occurred when he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20). Paul told about this incident to show that he had been uniquely touched by God.
12:7-8 We don't know what Paul's "thorn in my flesh" was because he doesn't say. Some have suggested that it was malaria, epilepsy, or a disease of the eyes (see Galatians 4:13-15). Whatever the case, it was a chronic and debilitating problem, which at times kept him from working. This thorn was a hindrance to his ministry, and he prayed for its removal; but God refused.
Three times Paul had prayed for healing and did not receive it. He received, however, things that were far greater--grace from God, stronger character, humility, and the ability to empathise with others. In addition, this benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life. God, according to his sovereign plan, doesn't heal some people from their physical ailments. We don't know why some are spared and others aren't. God chooses according to his divine purposes. Our task is to pray, to believe in his grace and goodness, and to trust him. Paul is living proof that holy living and courageous faith do not ensure instant physical healing. When we pray for healing, we must trust our bodies to God's care. We must recognise that nothing separates us from his love (Romans 8:35-39).
12:9 Although God did not remove Paul's physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that God displays his power through our weaknesses should give us courage and hope. As we recognise our limitations, we will depend more on God for our effectiveness rather than on our own energy, effort, or talent. Our limitations and weaknesses not only help develop Christian character but also deepen our worship, because in admitting them, we affirm God's strength.
12:10 When we are strong in abilities or resources, we are tempted to do God's work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with his power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to try to be weak, passive, or ineffective--life provides enough hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When those obstacles come, we must depend on God. Only his power will make us effective for him and will help us do work that has lasting value.
12:11-15 Paul was not merely revealing his feelings; he was defending his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul was hurt that some in the church in Corinth were doubting and questioning him, so he defended himself for the cause of the gospel, not to satisfy his ego. When you are put in a position where you need to defend yourself, do you think only about saving your reputation or are you more concerned about what people will think about Christ?
12:13 Paul explained that the only thing he did in the other churches that he didn't do in Corinth was to become a burden-to ask the believers to feed and house him. When he said, "Forgive me this wrong," he was clearly being sarcastic. He actually did more for the Corinthians than for any other church, but still they misunderstood him. When we do Christ's work, we should not be surprised that people don't fully appreciate us. Keep close to Jesus in prayer so that you remember his approval is sufficient.
12:14 Paul had founded the church in Corinth on his first visit there (Acts 18:1). He subsequently made a second visit (2 Corinthians 2:1) and was planning what would be his third (also see 13:1). Paul explained that, as before, he didn't want to be paid, fed, or housed; he only wanted the believers to be nourished with the spiritual food he would feed them.
12:16-19 Although Paul had asked nothing of the Corinthian believers, some doubters were still saying that he must have been crafty and made money from them somehow. But he again explained that everything he had done for the believers was for their edification, not to enrich himself.
12:20-21 After reading this catalogue of sins, it is hard to believe that these are the people that Paul said possessed great gifts and excelled in many ways (8:7). Paul feared that the practices of wicked Corinth had invaded the congregation. He wrote sternly, hoping that they would straighten out their lives before he arrived. We must live differently than unbelievers, not letting secular society dictate how we are to treat others. Don't let culture influence your behaviour or invade your practices at church.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)