CHAPTER 12

(A.D. 60)

THE THORN

¹It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory (but necessary!). I will come to Visions and Revelations of the Lord (refers to that given to Paul by the Lord).

²I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (speaking of himself), (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) (He doesnt know if he was actually taken to Heaven in his physical body, or only saw these things in a Vision.) such an one caught up to the third Heaven. (The first heaven is the clouds, etc. The second heaven is the starry space. The third Heaven is the planet Heaven, the Abode of God.)

³And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) (This is the second time he said this, and not without purpose.)

⁴How that he was caught up into Paradise (presents the word Paradise being used by Paul in a general manner), and heard unspeakable words (it was not possible for the Apostle to properly put what he saw into words), which it is not Lawful for a man to utter (not permissible).

⁵Of such an one will I glory (of such a thing will I glory): yet of myself I will not glory, but in my infirmities (that I was counted worthy to suffer for Christ).

⁶For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool (knowing that God knows all things, and we have nothing to glory about); for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me. (In effect, says, I will not relate more about this Vision, and for the obvious reasons. He wanted the eyes of all Believers on Christ, and not on him at any time.)

⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations (presents the reasons for the thorn in the flesh), there was given to me a thorn in the flesh (I think it was all the difficulties of II Cor. 11:23-27), the messenger of Satan to buffet me (an angel of Satan), lest I should be exalted above measure. (This has the Apostle concluding this sentence as it began.)

⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (The Apostle knew it was the Lord allowing this, but he didnt understand why.)

⁹And He said unto me (the Lord responded, but did not agree), My Grace is sufficient for you (speaks of enabling Grace, which is really the Goodness of God carried out by the Holy Spirit): for My Strength is made perfect in weakness. (All Believers are weak, but the Lord tends to make us weaker, with the intention being that we then depend solely upon Him, thereby, obtaining His Strength.) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (because of the end result), that the Power of Christ may rest upon me. (If Paul needed so humbling and painful an experience of what the carnal nature is, it is evident that all Christians need it. Whatever weakens, belittles, and humiliates that proud and willful nature should be regarded by the Believer as most worthwhile.)

¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christs sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (then the strength of Christ can be exhibited through me, but only when I know I am weak).

DEMONSTRATION

¹¹I am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me (it was necessary for him to vindicate his character): for I ought to have been commended of you (the Corinthians should have stood up for Paul, instead of him having to stand up for himself): for in nothing am I behind the very Chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing. (This is regarding all true Apostles, even the original Twelve.)

¹²Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (As is obvious, his Apostleship had been questioned.)

¹³For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other Churches (this question arose because Pauls detractors claimed the Church at Corinth was inferior because of Pauls inability), except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? (This refers to the fact that he did not take any financial support from the Corinthians, which he had already addressed.) forgive me this wrong (drips with sarcasm, even as it should!).

A PROPOSED VISIT

¹⁴Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you (there is little explanation as it regards the third time); and I will not be burden some to you: for I seek not yours, but you (I seek your Salvation, not your property): for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (This presents the Apostle speaking to the Corinthians as a father to his children. The false apostles did the very opposite, as all false apostles do!)

¹⁵And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you (be spent for your souls); though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved (is designed as a gentle reproof).

¹⁶But be it so, I did not burden you (Pauls detractors claimed that even though he didnt take money from the Corinthians, he imposed upon them in other ways): nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. (This should have been translated, nevertheless, you say, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Paul is not saying he was crafty or using guile, but that he was accused of these things.)

¹⁷Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? (The answer is a firm No!)

¹⁸I desired Titus, and with him I sent a Brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? (This was answered with a firm No! as well.) walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? (Titus and the Brother conducted themselves exactly as did Paul.)

REPENTANCE

¹⁹Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves unto you? (He has something far more in mind than defending himself.) we speak before God in Christ (it is God Who is the Judge of all this): but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. (Everything he has said has been for their good.)

²⁰For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would (the Corinthians must address every wrong), and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not (the Apostle doesnt desire to have to continue in the correcting mode): lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults (presents what will happen if they do not heed that given by the Apostle):

²¹And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you (refers to the fact that, if his counsel is ignored, Judgment will come, which will inflict great pain on Paul), 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. (The Apostle is lamenting the fact that if these sins were continued, which means these people had abandoned the Cross, they would lose their souls.)