2 Coríntios 12

The Vision of Paradise

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to *Acts 16:9; 18:9; 22:17, 18; 23:11; 26:13–15; 27:23visions and *Acts 9:3–6; 1 Cor. 14:6; 2 Cor. 12:7; (Gal. 1:12; 2:2; Eph. 3:3–6)revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man *Rom. 16:7; Gal. 1:22in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one *Acts 22:17was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into *Luke 23:43; (Rev. 2:7)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not *2 Cor. 11:30boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me tobe or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a *Num. 33:55; Ezek. 28:24; Hos. 2:6; Gal. 4:13, 14thorn in the flesh was given to me, *Job 2:7; Matt. 4:10; Luke 13:16; (1 Cor. 5:5)a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 *Deut. 3:23; Matt. 26:44Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly *2 Cor. 11:30I will rather boast in my infirmities, *(1 Pet. 4:14)that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore *(Rom. 5:3; 8:35)I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. *2 Cor. 13:4For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Signs of an Apostle

11 I have become *2 Cor. 5:13; 11:1, 16; 12:6a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for *1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 11:5in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though *1 Cor. 3:7; 13:2; 15:9I am nothing. 12 *Acts 14:3; Rom. 15:18Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and *Acts 15:12wonders and mighty *Acts 14:8–10; 16:16–18; 19:11, 12; 20:6–12; 28:1–10deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

14 *2 Cor. 1:15; 13:1, 2Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for *Acts 20:33; (1 Cor. 10:24–33)I do not seek yours, but you. *1 Cor. 4:14; Gal. 4:19For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent *John 10:11; Rom. 9:3; 2 Cor. 1:6; Phil. 2:17; Col. 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:8; (2 Tim. 2:10)for your souls; though *2 Cor. 6:12, 13the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16 But be that asitmay,*2 Cor. 11:9I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our *2 Cor. 8:18brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 *2 Cor. 5:12Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? *(Rom. 9:1, 2); 2 Cor. 11:31We speak before God in Christ. *1 Cor. 10:33But wedo all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that*1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 13:2, 10I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest therebe contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God *2 Cor. 2:1, 4will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many *2 Cor. 13:2who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, *1 Cor. 5:1fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.