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Summary

2 Corinthians 12:1–6 – Revelations and Restraint

What happens: Paul speaks of visions and revelations, including a man caught up to the third heaven. He will not boast except about weaknesses. He refuses to go beyond what they can see in him or hear from him.

What it means: Extraordinary experiences do not validate a person as much as faithful character does. God values humility and truth over spectacle. The church should prize integrity and tested service.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 – The Thorn and Sufficient Grace

What happens: To keep him from pride, a thorn in the flesh is given. Paul pleads three times for it to leave, but the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then delights in weaknesses so Christ’s power may rest on him.

What it means: God is sovereign and wise in suffering. His grace is enough, and His power shines when human strength fails. The path of Christ is strength through surrendered weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:11–13 – Signs of an Apostle

What happens: Paul says he has been a fool, but they forced him. He is not inferior to the super-apostles, and the signs of a true apostle were done among them with patience, signs, wonders, and mighty works. He asks what he did wrong, except that he did not burden them.

What it means: God authenticates ministry by endurance and fruit, not hype. Leaders can be strong and gentle at once. Refusing to exploit people reflects God’s shepherd heart.

2 Corinthians 12:14–18 – A Father’s Care, Not Gain

What happens: Paul plans a third visit and again will not burden them. He seeks them, not their possessions, like a father for children. He defends Titus and the brothers, saying none took advantage of them.

What it means: Love seeks people’s good, not their goods. Godly leadership uses money with transparency. The family theme highlights God’s covenant care.

2 Corinthians 12:19–21 – Fears About Their Sin

What happens: Paul says he speaks for their upbuilding before God in Christ. He fears finding quarreling, jealousy, anger, slander, and disorder. He also fears he will mourn over those who have not repented of impurity and sexual sin.

What it means: Holiness matters because God is holy. Unrepentant sin harms fellowship and dishonors Christ. Loving leaders grieve and call for repentance to restore joy.

Application

  • Prize humility and integrity over spiritual spectacle.
  • Receive God’s sufficient grace in weakness and depend on Christ’s power.
  • Look for leaders who seek people, not profit, and who handle money openly.
  • Repent of sin quickly to protect unity and joy in the church.

Bible

1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

16But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

17Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

18I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

19Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, 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.

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