Paul continues describing his experiences as an apostle and a servant of God. Others been boasting of their dramatic visions. Even there, Paul has seen more....
2 Corinthians 12: 1-4, Visions and revelations
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
The "man in Christ" in verse 2 is surely Paul, given here in the third person. It is not clear what Paul means by "third heaven"; there are a variety of explanations provided by various commentators, none of which are particularly convincing to me.
The word paradise in this verse appears only two other times in the New Testament, in Luke 23:43 and Revelation 2:7. But the Greek word, paradeisos, is used throughout the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament for "garden".
2 Corinthians 12: 5-6, Boastful fool
I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
Paul alternates between boasting and the awareness that buffoons and deceivers boast... and so he fears he sounds like a buffoon.
2 Corinthians 12: 7-9a, Thorn
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
With Paul's mystical experiences came a "thorn", a physical ailment, apparently intended to keep him grounded. This ailment is not described, although other passages make it clear that Paul had eye problems. It is likely he had a number of physical ailments. He expected God to heal him (for Paul's actions healed others!) but God did not.
2 Corinthians 12: 9b-10, Boasting in weaknesses!
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul has learned the importance of weakness and humility. He does not want the Corinthians to misunderstand this. These characteristics do not mean that Paul is truly defeated.
Throughout this passage, as throughout the gospels, there is a recognition that God uses the weak and humble. There is nothing wrong with admitting one's weakness, especially if it leads one to hang on to God.
2 Corinthians 12: 11-13, Fool for Christ, fool for Corinth
I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance. How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
"Super-apostles" is clearly sarcastic. Do not misunderstand my meekness and timidity, Paul says.
2 Corinthians 12: 14-15, Third visit
Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
Acting like a parent... Paul has deep love and concern for this young church.
2 Corinthians 12: 16-19, Paul's trickery and craftiness
Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent you? I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?
Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
Paul's sarcasm returns. Neither Paul nor Titus have ever exploited the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 12: 20-21, Seeking purity
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Seriousness returns. Paul wishes for peace and common love when he visits next. He makes one final appeal for love, purity and unity.
In the next chapter Paul finishes his letter with some final words and a brief discussion of his next visit.
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