April 15, 2026
2 Corinthians 12 ESV
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. 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. 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— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 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. 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. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 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. 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. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 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! 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. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 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? 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. 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. 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.
Discussion Questions:
In this chapter Paul continues to establish the credentials of his apostleship and authority over the Corinthian church. He is still worried that this is going to be seen as boasting, but he is determined to do it. In Paul’s final claim to authority, he refers to the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit that he was given.
1) (Verses 1-13) How does Paul describe these gifts?
2) (Verses 14-21) What are Paul’s concerns about his upcoming visit to Corinth?
Discussion Summary:
Paul had performed miracles, healings and spoken in tongues in conjunction with his preaching while in Corinth. However, the brethren were demanding proof of something grander to establish his authority. And so Paul stated that he had been given a very grand revelation or vision of the third heavens or millennial kingom. It was so real that it felt like an out-of-body experience. He was told by God that he could not speak about it and so described it in vague terms. To illustrate how such a gift of the spirit should be properly esteemed, he did not use it to put himself forward but described it happening to “a man of God.” He said that it could have caused him “conceit” if this gift was not used properly. He emphasized how this gift was accompanied by a “thorn in the flesh” perhaps his poor eyesight. This affliction was given to him by God so that he would not “glory” in this gift personally.
Paul his concerned that his reputation has been damaged while he has been away from Corinth. It seems as if some have accused him and his trusted companions such as Titus of underhandedly trying to take money from the Corinthians through their efforts to collect a donation for Jerusalem. Paul is denying these charges and asking the brethren to reflect if there were any hints of wrongdoing in his or Titus’s behaviour. He hopes that this letter will correct these unjust rumours.
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