2Cor 12 | MHM | STEP | The Apostle's Rapture In this section, Paul describes a very special experience God gave him. He explains that he was taken up into heaven and heard things that no human can repeat. Paul tells this story with great humility, not to boast, but to show how God can work in a person’s life. He also explains that God gave him a weakness to keep him humble, and that God’s grace is always enough in our struggles. v. 1 : Paul says it is not really good to boast, but he feels he must talk about the visions and revelations the Lord has given him ( It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord , 2 Corinthians 12:1 ).

‏ 2 Corinthians 12

The Apostle's Rapture

In this section, Paul describes a very special experience God gave him. He explains that he was taken up into heaven and heard things that no human can repeat. Paul tells this story with great humility, not to boast, but to show how God can work in a person’s life. He also explains that God gave him a weakness to keep him humble, and that God’s grace is always enough in our struggles.

v. 1: Paul says it is not really good to boast, but he feels he must talk about the visions and revelations the Lord has given him (It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 12:1 ^a).

v. 2: Paul explains that he knows a man in Christ (he is talking about himself) who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. He does not know if it was in his body or out of his body; only God knows (I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago... such an one caught up to the third heaven, 2 Corinthians 12:2 ^b).

v. 3–4: Paul repeats that he does not know if he was in his body or not when this happened. He says he was caught up into paradise and heard things that cannot be spoken by men. These were holy secrets that humans are not allowed to tell (How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter, 2 Corinthians 12:3–4 ^c). This reminds us that some things of God are too wonderful for us now, and we should trust what He has revealed in His word (2 Peter 1:19 ^d).

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v. 5–6: Paul says he will not boast about himself, except in his weaknesses. Even though he had this amazing experience, he does not want people to think too highly of him. He wants to stay humble, only letting others judge him by what they see and hear from him (Yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities, 2 Corinthians 12:5 ^e; For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool, 2 Corinthians 12:6 ^f).

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v. 7: Paul explains that God allowed him to have a "thorn in the flesh," a messenger of Satan to trouble him. This was to keep him from becoming proud because of his great spiritual experiences. Paul does not say exactly what this "thorn" was, but it caused him pain and kept him humble (And lest I should be exalted above measure... there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, 2 Corinthians 12:7 ^g).

v. 8: Paul says he prayed to the Lord three times, asking for this problem to be taken away. When we suffer, we should also pray and ask God for help (For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me, 2 Corinthians 12:8 ^h).

v. 9: God answered Paul’s prayer by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul learns that God’s help is enough, even if the problem does not go away. Paul decides to be glad in his weaknesses, so that Christ’s power can rest on him (My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness,.

v. 10: Paul says he takes pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles for Christ’s sake. When he is weak, then he is truly strong because God’s power is working in him (Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then am I strong, 2 Corinthians 12:10 ⁱ).

Paul's Expostulations

In this section, Paul speaks directly to the Corinthians. He expresses disappointment that they had not defended him when others tried to discredit him. He also explains his love and dedication to them as a faithful servant of Christ. Paul reminds them of his actions, showing he worked for their good and not for personal gain. Lastly, he addresses sins within the church, urging repentance and warning that he will not tolerate wrongdoing when he visits them again.

v. 11: Paul says the Corinthians forced him to defend himself, even though they should have spoken up for him. They had seen proof of his apostleship through the miracles, patience, and mighty works he performed among them. Paul humbly says he is "nothing," even though he is in no way less than the greatest apostles (I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing, 2 Corinthians 12:11 ^j).

v. 12: Paul reminds them that the signs of a true apostle were shown among them. These included patience, miracles, wonders, and mighty acts. These signs proved that God had called him to be an apostle (Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds, 2 Corinthians 12:12 ^k).

v. 13–14: Paul says he was never a burden to them and will not be a burden when he visits again. He emphasizes that he does not want their money, but he wants them to grow in faith. As a father cares for his children, Paul seeks their spiritual well-being, not their possessions (I seek not yours, but you, 2 Corinthians 12:14 ^l).

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v. 15: Paul declares his willingness to spend everything he has, even his own life, for their benefit. He is saddened that the more he loves them, the less they seem to love him in return (I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved, 2 Corinthians 12:15 ^m).

v. 16–18: Paul defends himself against accusations of deceit. He denies that he or anyone he sent, such as Titus, ever took advantage of them. Paul reminds them that he and his companions acted with the same spirit and followed the same path of integrity (Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?, 2 Corinthians 12:16–18 ⁿ).

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v. 19: Paul explains that everything he has said is for their benefit, not to defend himself. His goal is to build them up in faith. He reminds them that God knows his heart and that he has spoken only the truth before Him (We do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying,.

v. 20: Paul expresses his fear that when he visits, he will find them involved in sins such as arguments, jealousy, anger, selfishness, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. He warns them that he will not tolerate such behavior (For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, 2 Corinthians 12:20 ^o).

v. 21: Paul worries that he will be deeply humbled and saddened if he finds that some have not repented of their sins. He says it would grieve him to see people continuing in impurity, immorality, and other sins without turning back to God. He urges them to repent before his arrival (I fear... lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, 2 Corinthians 12:21 ^p).