Paul's heavenly vision
2 Cor 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul was reluctant to bring glory to himself, Now he speaks of something the thrill seeking Corinthians would be interested in, visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Cor 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Paul speaks of a man, many think it was Paul, about 14 years ago. Perhaps when he was stoned unto death in Lystra. (Acts 14:19) In the body or out, he does not know, but apparently his soul and spirit were taken to the third heaven. The people of Paul's day believed in three heavens. First, the clouds and sky, second, the stars and planets, the third was the dwelling place of God. This man had a vision of heaven.
2 Cor 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2 Cor 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Paradise here is the dwelling place of God and Jesus, where the souls of the departed saints dwell with the Lord. Note that he was not given permission to describe what he heard. There are words in heaven waiting, glorious words of the Living word. Until we arrive with them we are to hold on to the word that is revealed to us, it is enough to bring us to paradise. Jesus is the way, through faith in him we will live forever.
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
2 Cor 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
Paul will glory in the one who has heard from God. Do you glory in a man who says he has heard from God, yet follows another way? No, that is dangerous. Once again remember Jesus' words and glorify in him;
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2 Cor 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
Many reading these words have had visions and experiences that only could come from God. Many have kept silent, as the world does not wish to hear of the things of God. Visions and unusual miracles continue unto our day. We do not glory in them, they give glory to God and are only received by others of faith. Remember the words of our Lord;
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Visions continue, many are only for the one receiving them. We do not limit God by trying to explain these things in the natural. They are of the spirit.
1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Psa 30:10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
Psa 30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Psa 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Thorn in the flesh
2 Cor 12:7 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.
Paul who had experienced so many revelations from God, may have been puffed up, thinking of himself as a "super" Christian, above all others, but for a thorn in the flesh. Let me say here, that no Christian shall Lord it over another. There are those who are obedient and greatly used of God, but there are no second class Christians. We do not know what is attacking the mind or body of a fellow brother or sister in the Lord. Each has his own hindrance.
Paul's thorn in the flesh, was from a word meaning tent peg. This was no little sticker, but something very large that kept him from being exalted. If we think in our own lives, we can point to actual physical or mental things that hamper us in following the Lord. These are real hindrances that satan uses to keep us humble. Yet, we continue to serve.
Paul describes this tent peg in the flesh as a messenger of satan. An angel is a messenger, this could be a demonic angel buffeting him. Yet, angels usually enter into men and women to be used against us. Those who opposed Paul the most were the religious Jews, the synagogue of satan. I am not accusing all Jews as being of satan, they were chosen by God to be his people, the people that received his covenant and law. There were many though, that were proud and arrogant, not really knowing God to be able to recognize Jesus as their Messiah, they were used of satan to oppose the gospel and Paul the messenger of the gospel.
Others believe it was a physical ailment, perhaps a disfigurement from the beatings and stonings. Others see it as poor eyesight, a disease like malaria, a crippling ailment. It is not known what Paul's thorn was and that for a purpose. Do you know what satan has sent to hinder you? Is not God greater? Will he not give you abilities to fulfill his purpose in your life? We need to get our focus off of the messenger of satan and onto the message of God. Look unto Jesus and do not lose heart.
2 Cor 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
He pleaded with the Lord, he made his need known to God.
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Hebrew word for three times actually meant over and over again. He continuously asked the Lord to remove this from him. The Lord Jesus Christ asked his father three times for his cup to be removed, the torture and dying on the cross for our sins. Still, he said "not my will, but thine be done." Paul received a similar statement from God, my grace is sufficient for you.
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul accepted God's answer and lived with the affliction, he believed God that his grace is sufficient. That is why when so many people warned Paul of afflictions to come, that he continued to serve the Lord hearing only from God, my grace is sufficient. Will we so trust the Lord that no matter what hinders us from satan, that we will continue in God's plan? Yes, amen we are overcomers through Jesus. When you feel the thorn in the flesh, remember our Lord's words, "my grace is sufficient" he is all we need.
Take Pleasure
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
He is saying, we get in the way of God. When we are weak and trust in God, then we are truly strong. Under the anointing of the spirit. We prepare by filling our hearts with God's word and promises. He has promised;
Heb 13:5... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
infirmities...weaknesses, distresses, As a dear friend says: short is the suffering, eternal the joy.
reproaches, insults,
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
necessities, needs, and we know that God meets all our needs.
persecutions,
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
distresses, calamities and difficulties
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
When we are at our weakest, we acknowledge we are only strong in the Lord...we give up our flesh strength and give in to God.. only in Him can we truly be strong. Flesh can not even be accounted for when one walks in the Spirit. When we are sick we cry out to the Lord, when we are distressed we cry out to the Lord, when life becomes difficult, we cry out to the Lord, when calamity hits home, we cry out to the Lord.. but it is in the suffering for Christ we are able to submit and draw on HIs strength to sustain us in our weak moments. (Camille)
We are not alone, Jesus is with us in the spirit that dwells within.
Humbly the Best
2 Cor 12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
Paul continues being foolish, for the things of God;
1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
God has not made him least of the apostles, though he was perhaps the greatest sinner before, God makes the weak the more powerful through his spirit. It is God's grace, flowing through an emptied vessels. We must be emptied of self, to be filled up by God. Paul more then any other, was given the revelation of the grace of God, through faith in Jesus, apart from works. Grace alone is required, Jesus has accomplished our salvation, our part is to believe and receive this free gift.
2 Cor 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
He was patient in sufferings, slow to anger and swift to speak the gospel message of new life.
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Signs and wonders followed the word as confirmation of the message.
2 Cor 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
The Corinthians were taught by the apostle with the greatest understanding, they were not lacking in this respect. No doubt some apostles were still trying to mix law keeping and circumcision with faith in Jesus. Paul, alone understood that Jesus is the fullness of God and the completion and fulfillment of the law. He is the light of the world, those who were trying to win God's approval by law keeping were in the shadows, in fact Jesus called them the blind leading the blind. (Mat 15:14) WE are of the light, in Jesus we are able to be in the very throne room of God. Paul taught this, not many knew so much of our new relationship with Jesus. We are the beloved of our Father.
Seeking to edify
2 Cor 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
He was to come a third time, but not for their offerings, but for their edifying to enrich their souls. Do you want to be enriched in the word of God? I do, but many others are not interested. They want to be entertained or to hear the ideas of man.
2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Cor 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
He will gladly give of all he has of God's truth and love. If not received, it is still given. All must choose life, the responsibility we have as witnesses is to give the truth. Do not quit if you are giving out the truth.
2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2 Cor 12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
2 Cor 12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
He did not come in deceit to trick them out of their money, nor did he receive any compensation by those who came to take an offering to the poor.
2 Cor 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
2 Cor 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
We are not of the darkness, coveting what you have. We do all things to build you up in God. We serve God by feeding you the word of truth and loving you. God's love does not require love in return, but a Christian should have love for the word and God's servant who feeds them, no offering required.
What will Paul find?
2 Cor 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Paul was concerned that the Church was still carnal, doing the works of the flesh and being instruments used by the powers of darkness. What is it? Will you serve the Lord as God's own children? Or will you hang on to the works of the old nature and dwell in darkness?
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
2 Cor 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Will I be humbled among you? Even so the Spirit of God shall reprove the sin, he will be used of God to bring truth and purity to the church. Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit coming and what he will do, the comforter:
John 16:8 And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
If we continue in sin, it is unbelief. The Spirit shall convict hearts of unrighteous acts and thoughts. The Spirit brings judgment, knowing right from wrong. Already satan is found to be totally unrighteous and is judged with the sentence of hell, will you follow him to destruction? We are to know right from wrong, but it is God that passes the final judgment. Better to follow the way of Jesus in love and peace and hope eternal.
Gary
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