MSB 2 COR Chapter 12

Paul’s Revelation

12 Surely it is not beneficial for me to boast, yet[fn] I will go on to visions and revelations from [the] Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ [who] fourteen years ago was caught up to [the] third heaven. Whether [it was] in [the] body or out of [it] I do not know, [but] God knows. 3 And I know that [this] man—whether in [the] body or out of[fn] [it] I do not know, [but] God knows—4 was caught up to Paradise. [The things] he heard [were] inexpressible things that man is not permitted to tell.

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. 6 Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking [the] truth. But I refrain, [so] [no one] will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,

7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited,[fn] I was given a thorn in [my] flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have become a fool in [my] boasting,[fn] [but] you drove me [to it]. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles even though I am nothing. 12 The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. 13 In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden to you,[fn] because I am not seeking your [possessions], but you. For children should not have to save up for [their] parents, but parents for [their] children. 15 And for the sake of your souls, I {will} most gladly spend my money and [myself], even if [the] more I love you, [the] less [you] love me.[fn]

16 Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you; but crafty as I am, I caught you by trickery. 17 Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you? 18 I urged Titus [to visit you], and I sent [our] brother [with him]. {Did} Titus exploit you [in any way]? Did we not walk in the same Spirit [and follow] in the same footsteps?[fn]

19 Do you still think that we are making a defense to you?[fn] We speak before God in Christ, and all of [this], beloved, [is] to build you up. 20 For I am afraid [that] when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find {me} as you wish. [I fear] that there may be quarrels,[fn] jealousies,[fn] rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, [and] disorder. 21 [I am afraid that] when I come again, my God will humble [me] before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.