In The Word
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:21b—12:10
21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison.
But in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I am speaking in foolishness—I too am bold. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I am speaking as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.
Paul’s Vision
12 Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on 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 out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 In behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Sometimes you just have to speak up. The opposition had an unfiltered, unopposed voice against Paul. At this point, the antagonist’s lies had gotten bolder and more extravagant, and Paul had enough. Maybe they didn’t know who they were messing with? Paul would let them know.
He began with his education, it was the “Harvard” of Jerusalem education: highly educated in Jewish theology, the right pedigree, a who’s who in the Jewish community. When you look at Paul’s credentials, he seems more positioned to preach to the Jews then the Gentiles. But God chose for Paul to preach to the Gentiles and for Peter, a fisherman, to preach to the Jews. There would be no boasting in their own abilities, they would have to depend on God. After a family history, he then informed them of his punishments in the name of the Lord: beatings, stoning, shipwrecked, hunger and thirst! He shared with them his biggest burden, the daily concern for the church. Paul saved the best part for last and told them about the visions and revelations he received from God Himself! He asked how many of them have seen heaven.
Many people have discussed what this thorn in the flesh Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12:7 was. It’s pretty simple: the continued harassment of church members questioning his authority. I’ve seen it many times, those who think they can do a better job than God’s chosen leadership. From what they see it looks fairly simple, but only because the leader never complains, never mentions all the things that are done out of sight. If it’s you I’m describing, repent and thank your leader, encourage them. The job’s tougher than you think.