The Second Epistle to the Corinthians

1. 2 Cor 12:1 – “It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:” The theme of boasting continues and is necessary – remember even more than before, now in his infirmities (2 Cor 11:30). Better translated ‘I must boast but there is nothing for me to gain by it’. Is this a defeatist attitude that Paul is displaying here or is it a statement that he by God’s grace has done all that he can do? The result – visions and revelations of the Lord. He here turns to how his position can affect his condition. 2 Cor 12:2 – “I knew a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows— The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 1 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

2. such a one was caught up to the third heaven.” I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago – perfect active indicative. Is there any doubt that this was Paul; and he is now reflecting back on such revelation? If this epistle was written in A.D.58 as claimed, then fourteen years ago would have been several years after his conversion. Some conjecture that this was about the time that Barnabas brought Paul form Tarsus to Antioch (Acts 11:25,26); an alternative view is it was when Paul returned to Jerusalem (Acts 22:17). whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows The verb for know here is eido – factual, and only God knows! Why does scripture make this so clandestine? such a one was caught up (seized with force) to the third heaven. What/where is the third heaven? The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 2 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

3. Not the atmosphere or the starry skies beyond, but God’s dwelling place. 2 Cor 12:3,4 – “And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Why does Paul repeat himself in verse 3? What about paradise? In the Septuagint (Greek version of the Jewish Scriptures) paradise is translated as garden (multiple OT references). In Greek and Roman culture, this was an elevated and cultivated land. Bengel thinks this is an inner recess of the third heaven (Luke 23:43, Rev2:7). heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 3 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

4. Does this mean that the words were unlawful to mention because they were moral/spiritual and not interpretable to others or that they were impossible to communicate in the way the Lord had given them? And weren’t these words directed to just Paul? John 3:12 - “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? This is an incredible and unique experience – a man taken up to heaven and returns to tell about it – and with no details? 2 Cor 12:5 – “Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.” Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast. What irony, assuming Paul is the one of whom he will boast. How’s this for the new life in Christ Jesus! How are we doing boasting about our infirmities? 2 Cor 12:6 – “For though I might desire to boast, I will The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 4 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

5. not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.” Does Paul really want to boast? though is better translated by the conditional participle if. And if he did boast would he really be foolish if he’s speaking the truth? So what is the risk of this boasting from which he refrains? Is Paul concerned about his reputation in the world and/or church here? Clearly he wants to avoid being perceived as were the Pharisees. John 12:43 - For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 2 Cor 12:7 – “And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 5 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

6. Do you think this thorn occurred before his visit to the third heaven (from whence the revelations came)? Noticing the purpose, this messenger of Satan likely followed. Notice the source, a messenger of Satan to harass (buffet) Paul. Suggests the thorn is something that shames. Although this thorn is perceived by most expositors as physical, could it have been spiritual? And commentators are all over the map here. Whatever, this is the only NT use and the term means sharp and prickly, which suggests something physical. Like Job Job 2:6,7 - And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power; only spare his life.“ So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD, and afflicted Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. But doesn’t being elated (exalted) suggest spiritual? Could this have been pride? The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 6 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

7. 2 Cor 12:8 – “Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me;” In context, this is the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether physical or spiritual can we relate to that? Thrice has implications: To the Jew three was a sacred number Num 22:28, 24:10: 1Sam 3:8, 20:41; 1Kings 18:34: Prov 22:20: Jer 7:4, 22:29; John 21:17 Christ in Gethsemane – Matt 26:39-44 The church (trinity) And Christ and Paul received answers after their third request. 2 Cor 12:9 – “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 7 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

8. my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And He said unto me – perfect active indicative Stated factually once by God (Christ) with sustaining applications. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Is made perfect – present passive indicative Rom 5:2 - through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Made complete and by Him, now and for certain! How often do we relate to this incredible statement? But is our response Paul’s - Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Describe our infirmities or weaknesses (Greek – strengthlessness). Could they be corruptions, sins or sinfulness? Even so we can boast about the power of Christ within us. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 8 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel

9. May rest, subjunctive (may or may not), why? 2 Cor 12:10 – “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I take pleasure in infirmities – present active indicative Infirmities – partly from Satan and the rest from us (mankind). How are we doing here? Another life – in Christ Jesus! when I am weak – present active subjunctive Thus, sometimes I’m not weak (without strength). What do you make of for Christ’s sake? Why doesn’t it say In Christ? Couldn’t it mean In Christ but for the sake of His glory? The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor 12:1-10 - Christ Life & Ministry Glories in His Strength & Appointed Infirmities to Us 9 Nov 26, 2017 Bob Eckel