2 Corinthians · Chapter 12
2 Corinthians 12
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Paul’s Revelation
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2I 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 it I do not know, but God knows.
3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—
4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.
Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace
5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
6Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,
7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.*
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
11I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
12The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.
13In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
16Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery.
17Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?
18I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?*
19Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.
20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21I 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 their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.
Source notes
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Numbers 12:6He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.
Ezekiel 1:1In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God.
Ezekiel 1:2On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin—
Ezekiel 1:3the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.
Ezekiel 1:4I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber,
Ezekiel 1:5and within it was the form of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: They had a human form,
Ezekiel 1:6but each had four faces and four wings.
Ezekiel 1:7Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze.
Ezekiel 1:8Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four living creatures had faces and wings,
Ezekiel 1:9and their wings were touching one another. They did not turn as they moved; each one went straight ahead.
Ezekiel 1:10The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 1:11Such were their faces. Their wings were spread upward; each had two wings touching the wings of the creature on either side, and two wings covering its body.