Chapter 12
A Vision Shared and Paul's Thorn
12:1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5a On behalf of this man I will boast,
Paul says nothing is gained by boasting, but will continue boasting, as he now wants to discuss visions and revelations from God. He begins by talking about a man he knew who was caught up (same Greek word Paul used to describe the rapture, see 1 Thessalonians 4:17) fourteen years earlier to the third heaven. The idea of a third heaven may sound strange to us but we can find several ancient writings that considered the ‘first heaven’ to be where humanity resides (our atmosphere, where we find air to breathe), the ‘second heaven’ where the Sun, Moon, stars, etc. reside (defined today as ‘space’), and then the ‘third heaven’ is where God resides. Paul doesn’t know whether this man visited heaven and paradise while still in his own body or just spirit (both locations are used interchangeably in the Bible, but it is interesting that the word translated as paradise is derived from an old Persian word for a garden or park), but he does know that the man heard things so amazing that he couldn’t explain with just words. So, on behalf of this unidentified man, Paul will boast.
This passage (verses 2-5) is often debated, some believe that the man that Paul mentions was himself due to his statement in verse seven (being the recipient of “the surpassing greatness of the revelations”) and that what he saw was beyond description. Some even believe that Paul heard a language that he did not know, but still understood. However, the text does not elaborate, if it was Paul it would seem that he would have said that, or at least know whether his body was with him at that time (see verses 2-3), especially in light of verse five (which I split here for emphasis).
12:5b but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
Returning to the subject of boasting for himself, Paul revisits his weaknesses, which he would not be thought a fool as he would be speaking the truth. However, he will refrain from such boasting as he doesn’t want the attention on him personally, but instead more on what he is teaching.
12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
On a potentially more private note, Paul admits that in order to prevent him from becoming conceited, God allowed a ‘thorn’ (the Greek word refers to a “thorn in the flesh”) that was given to him, a “messenger of Satan,” to ‘harass’ (Greek implies being hit with a fist) him. These are likely metaphors for a physical disability or malady, nothing more is stated in the Bible (although that hasn’t stopped an endless stream of speculations). Paul recognized that the thorn was Satan’s handiwork. But going back to the reason, we have to ask what ‘revelations’ is he referring to if not verses 2-4? Again, we turn to speculation but we could make a case for what revelation he is speaking about with Galatians 1:15-17, “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” (ESV, emphasis added) Paul saw Jesus and was undoubtedly taught further in Arabia. It is unlikely that any of the false teachers ever encountered Jesus. His revelations could also have been a reference to him being taught by the Holy Spirit, as has noted that he had the privilege of revealing several mysteries (things that were not previously unveiled, see Romans 11:25; 16:25; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 15:51; Ephesians 1:9; 3:3-10; 5:32; 6:19; Colossians 1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3).
Paul pleaded to God to remove the thorn three times, but instead of healing he was told by Him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This response has been interpreted many ways, but it does point to the fact that God is the ultimate provider. If everything was always ‘good’ in life then, as humans, we could easily forget about Him, this way we would interact with Him in prayer more often than we would if we had everything we wanted. It also serves as a reminder that a perfect pain-free eternal existence is waiting!
Paul’s response should inspire us all, he tells us that since God’s power is made perfect in weakness, then he will gladly boast of his weaknesses, so that the power of Jesus will rest upon him! And that for the sake of Jesus, he is content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Can we say the same? Paul summarizes by saying, “When I am weak, then I am strong,” as he knows our real strength is through Jesus.
Apprehensive and Concerned
12:11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
Paul opens the next subject with the proclamation that they made him act like a fool, for they should have commended him, as he is not inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though he admits being nothing. He notes that when he was with them he gave them undeniable proof that he was a true apostle that demonstrated God-given signs, wonders, and powerful works. Paul then, in a slightly sarcastic approach, further admits that he made an error when he was with them that he should have become a financial burden to them, as he has done with other churches. He then asks them to forgive him for that wrong.
12:14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?
Paul announces that he is coming for a third visit, and again he will not be a burden, as he wants them, not what belongs to them. He offers the adage, that children don’t save up and provide for their parents, it’s the other way around. Paul then announces that he will gladly spend and be spent (be depleted of energy) for their souls, even though it seems like the more he loves them, the less they love him back. That some will admit that he was not a burden to them, while others will say that he was deceitful and took advantage of them. Paul then asks, “How did he take advantage of them? Did any of the believers he sent to them take advantage?” He notes that he sent Titus and the brother (unnamed, see 2 Corinthians 8:18) to them, and asks, “Did they take advantage of them? Didn’t he and Titus have the same Spirit and do things the same way?”
12:19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
Paul asks if they think he has just been defending himself to them, he then answers negatively that with God as a witness, he and his fellow workers have actually been speaking in Christ for the purpose of building them up.
12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
Paul states that he has feelings of apprehension, that he is concerned that when he shows up he will not find them doing as he hoped, and they will not find him doing the things as they might hope. That this contention might begin a dialog that leads to words of jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior! Paul is afraid that when he arrives there God will humble him before them (in recognition that everything that he did for them and what he taught them was essentially a waste of time) and he would have to mourn over those who had sinned (as identified in his first epistle) and did not repent of those sins. Paul is concerned that their response to his first epistle was a ruse and that nothing changed.