2 Corinthians 12

1. 2 Corinthians 12

2. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 • In verse 2 Paul spoke about “a man in Christ.” From the context it is clear that Paul was speaking about himself. Why would Paul speak in such a roundabout way about himself? • In keeping with his unwillingness to boast about himself, he speaks about himself as another man. It is clear that this vision was given to him as a special gift from the Lord, designed to help him in his missionary work.

3. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 • From whom did Paul receive his thorn in the flesh? (7) • Satan, allowed by the Lord. • Why was Paul’s prayer really answered, even though his thorn was not taken away? (8-10) • Paul prayed that the thorn be removed because he thought he would be able to do mission work better. Yet God’s power is shown better in what God accomplished in spite of Paul’s thorn.

4. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 • What paradox did Paul see at work in his life? (10) • Paul wanted to boast only about his weaknesses because then people’s eyes would not be focused on him but on the Lord, whose strength was at work in Paul. • How do these verses answer someone who says, “If a Christian believes strongly enough, God will remove every problem”? • Paul believed, yet his problem remained. God has reasons for not removing problems, reasons for our good and his glory.

5. 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Summary • Paul continued boasting about a vision he had and about his thorn in the flesh.

6. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • Why did Paul boast about himself? (11) • The Corinthians drove him to it. • Why should it have been clear to the Corinthians that Paul was not inferior to the super-apostles? (11-12) • Paul had done things among the Corinthians that he labeled the marks of an apostle: signs, wonders, and miracles. (12)

7. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • The accusation about Paul’s not asking for wages—whatever form that may have taken—was evidently quite serious. Why did Paul and Titus not take money from the Corinthians? (13-18) • Paul and Titus did not want to make it seem as if they were trying to line their own pockets. They loved the Corinthians and did not want to be a burden to them. (13, 14, 16) • Like parents to children, Paul wanted to spend his own money on his children, the Corinthians. (14-15)

8. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • In the previous chapters, Paul’s main goal was not to defend himself (as if he was primarily worried about his own reputation) but to strengthen the Corinthians. Titus had done well, and the Corinthians had grown through his ministry. What was Paul still afraid of? • verse 20 • verse 20 • verse 21

9. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • In the previous chapters, Paul’s main goal was not to defend himself (as if he was primarily worried about his own reputation) but to strengthen the Corinthians. Titus had done well, and the Corinthians had grown through his ministry. What was Paul still afraid of? • verse 20 He feared that he would not find the Corinthians as he wanted, and they would not find him as they wanted him to be. In other words, they wanted a friend who would speak words of encouragement, but Paul may have to continue rebuking them. • verse 20 • verse 21

10. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • In the previous chapters, Paul’s main goal was not to defend himself (as if he was primarily worried about his own reputation) but to strengthen the Corinthians. Titus had done well, and the Corinthians had grown through his ministry. What was Paul still afraid of? • verse 20 He feared that he would not find the Corinthians as he wanted, and they would not find him as they wanted him to be. In other words, they wanted a friend who would speak words of encouragement, but Paul may have to continue rebuking them. • verse 20 He feared that some had not repented and were still engaged in the sins he mentioned. • verse 21

11. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • In the previous chapters, Paul’s main goal was not to defend himself (as if he was primarily worried about his own reputation) but to strengthen the Corinthians. Titus had done well, and the Corinthians had grown through his ministry. What was Paul still afraid of? • verse 20 He feared that he would not find the Corinthians as he wanted, and they would not find him as they wanted him to be. In other words, they wanted a friend who would speak words of encouragement, but Paul may have to continue rebuking them. • verse 20 He feared that some had not repented and were still engaged in the sins he mentioned. • verse 21 He feared his ministry among them may be a humbling experience.

12. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 • Why can’t a pastor always be the way he wants to be with his people? • A pastor must sometimes rebuke his people and speak strong words of the Law as Paul does here. • What is a better relationship for you to foster with your pastor—as a personal friend or a spiritual leader? Can a pastor be both? • The best thing you can do for your pastor is to seek out his spiritual leadership and strive to grow in the Word under his guidance. Friendship is certainly possible between pastor and member, but it can really thrive only when it is centered on God and his Word, not on personalities.

13. 2 Corinthians 12:11-21 Summary • Paul concluded his boasting and expressed his fears about the Corinthians’ lack of spiritual maturity.