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Visions and Revelations, 2 Co.12:1-7. Subject of v.1: “I” 2-5: third person “a man in Christ”; “such a man”; “he”; “such a one” Subject of v.7: “ I” . . . exalted by revela . If not Paul… Why was he in danger of pride ? Why did he receive the thorn ?.
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Visions and Revelations, 2 Co.12:1-7 • Subject of v.1: “I” • 2-5: third person • “a man in Christ”; “such a man”; “he”; “such a one” • Subject of v.7: “I” . . . exalted by revela. • If not Paul… • Why was he in danger of pride? • Why did he receive the thorn?
Messenger Of Satan, 2 Co.12:7 • Thorn in flesh • Messenger of Satan • Prevented pride in Paul • Job 1-2 • God’s motives: prove value of obed. • Satan’s motives: disprove value of serving God • Job 42, God’s victory • 2 Co.12:9-10, another victory
Paul’s prayer, 2 Co.12:7-9 • Thorn in the flesh, 7 • Pleaded w. Lord 3x to remove it, 8 • “He said to me” (9): He answered • His grace is mightier than the thorn • Paul’s weakness displays His power • Paul wanted God’s will to be done (Mt.26:39)
Evidence for Gospel, 2 Co.12:12 • Signs: miraculous signs; proof (here of apostleship), Rv.2:2 • Wonders: response of onlookers • Mighty deeds: tokens of divine power • Introduced incidentally, not as part of an argument to produce belief in miracles • Refers to obvious matters of fact, known by Paul and Corinthians • He could appeal to facts w/o fear of being challenged
2 Co.12:18 • Corinthians raised the collection before Paul arrived, 1 Co.16:2 • They chose own messengers, 16:3 • Titus had gone to Corinth, 2:13; 7:6,13; 8:6a, he had begun… (previous trip) • Titus and trusted brothers would help Corinthians finish raising money [2 Co.8:6b, 18, 22 (future trip)] • If Titus and others did not exploit them, why assume Paul did?
A potential mess, 2 Co.12:20 • Contentions: discord, quarrel, 1 Co.1:11; 3:3 • Jealousies: zeal, envy; self-assertion • Outbursts of wrath: anger, rage; fit of temper. Ga.5:20; Ep.4:26, 31 • Selfish ambitions: Ga.5:20 • Backbitings: slander. 1 Pt.2:1 • Whisperings: gossip, talebearing • Conceits: pride, conceit. Vb.: 1 Co.4:6, 18f. • Tumults: disorder, unruliness, Ja.3:6