September 15, 2023
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Reading along with us in 2 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Corinthians 12 (NIV)
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—…..Continue Reading
Paul was given visions and revelations from God. Much of it he couldn`t talk about. Some things he was allowed to teach with clarity from he was instructed by God Himself. He also knew the scriptures very well. Other things he was not allowed to even speak about. We know that he is talking about himself and not someone else because of the statement he makes in verse 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.] He pleaded with God to remove it but God`s answer was to tell him that God`s grace is sufficient for him. This was to keep him humble before God and man. If he became arrogant and proud the Lord wouldn`t be able to use him to preach the gospel. This is why Paul gloried in his weakness. He doesn`t say what this thorn in the flesh was and perhaps it is because when we read it we can better relate for we all have our own thorn in the flesh. Although I believe It was his eyesight. He often had others write for him and when he did write it was very large. We do know that he was without sight for three days after the Lord blinded him on the road to Damascus and Ananias was sent to heal him which he did. But I still think that the thorn n the flesh was his eyesight. God could had blinded him again only this time without total blindness. Although there is no mention of it happening again. It is interesting how the true Apostles like Paul could do signs wonders, and mighty deeds but Paul wasn`t allowed to heal himself. God would not allow it. We know that there were the 12 Apostles and then Paul which was also an Apostle. How could these false Apostles even claim to be apostles for one of the requirements was to have been a eyewitness of Jesus and the things He did. We can apply this to our lives today. We are not to add or take away the word of God. So when someone claims to have been given new revelations which don`t agree with scripture we know that they are false teachers. We need to know the word of God. Also the Lord gives us a discerning spirit when we become Christians. God bless us all.
We have all read and spoken much about this chapter. It’s comforting to know that Paul one of the greatest men to ever lived had a large thorn in his side to keep him from pride and CLOSE to God. Would we cry out to God if every day was perfect? Paul asked 3 times to take it away. Don’t think Paul just prayed for a few minutes but spent many hours fasting and praying each time. Is Gods Grace sufficient for me.?? 8 million dollar question
When I am weak, Christ is strong..
His grace is sufficient! I so appreciated Pastor’s explanation of this a few weeks back because my mind always took it to mean “just enough” God knew what I needed when I was struggling and gave me what I needed to get through. But it is not that at all when I am struggling, and in no way is the “thorn in my side” anything to the degree Paul faced, God isn’t providing just enough but rather His Grace is ALL I need!
We pray for relief like Paul did and then we stand firm in His grace knowing He is with us, He is making provisions, and He will guide us through despite what the outward circumstance might look like.
2 Corinthians 12
Certainly, His grace is sufficient for all of us in any situation.
2 Corinthians 12 done
So Paul continues his boasting in this chapter, foolish though it be, but doesn’t speak of what he has experienced on earth, but the privilege he, or better a person he chooses not to mention, has had in viewing heaven. Paul shows his humility by not saying it is him even though he lets on that it is, and also by talking about his thorn. How good it is to know that God didn’t take it away to show that there are times that God doesn’t give us what we want or we feel like we need. It also lets us know that God’s grace can help us persevere through anything. It is all we need especially when circumstances or people don’t line up to the way we want. In addition, this gives God the chance to let us and Paul know that His power is made perfect in weakness. It is when we can’t do something that when the something happens, we know it is God and not us. How comforting that God can use us at our worst and doesn’t need us to be at our best to work in and through us. He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.
Paul then concludes the chapter defending himself once again. This letter is so personal in all the wrong ways. He is clearly being discredited among them as others among them are propping themselves up to be greater than Paul. But he is not commending himself for his benefit but for theirs. In commending himself, he is defending the truth he taught them and by believing and following that, they will be benefitted. He will not be a burden to them when he comes to them to show the purity of his ministry, but he is also not sure what he will find. What a tough situation for Paul to walk into but how needed he was in this sinful and confused congregation.
Paul was caught up to the third heaven (not the sky, not space…the third level “heaven”) and shown visions and revelations. I suspect a few things he made known: the mystery that the gospel was also for the Gentiles and all would be in Christ, and the mystery of the rapture. Then he mentions other revelations that he cannot discuss. I wonder what they were?
Mystery: Gospel for all, “in Him”-
Ephesians 1 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Mystery: The Rapture, transformed into spiritual bodies –
1 Corinthians 15: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
2 Corinthians 12
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” We have the power of God to accomplish more than we could ever imagine on our own. When we experience weakness, hardship, difficulties and persecutions Christ’s power rests on us. So when we are weak, we are made strong.