2 Corinthians 12:1-10

The Vision of Paradise

12 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

2 I know a man in 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 was 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 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 boast, 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 to be 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 thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

8 Concerning 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 I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ”s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Context

  • Why did Paul boast, rather than complain about his infirmities? ( 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 11:22-33, 12:1, 5, 9, 10)

Reflection

  1. How did he respond to the heavenly experience? (Ezekiel 8:3, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 1:10, 4:1, 2)
  2. What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh? (Judges 2:3, 4, Job 1:6- 22, Luke 22:31, 32, 2 Corinthians 10:10, Galatians 4:15, 6:11)
  3. Why didn’t the Lord remove it? (Matthew 26:36-46, James 1:2-5, 12, 1 Peter 1:6, 7)
  4. How is ‘His strength made perfect in weakness”? (Psalm 23:4, Proverbs 3:5, 6, Isaiah 40:31, 43:1-3, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 9, 2:14, 4:3, 4) Testimony Time
  5. What’s your thorn in the flesh?
  6. How is His grace sufficient in your weakness? (Psalm 34:18, Matthew 5:11, 12, 6:33, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:8, Philippians 4:13)

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