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There is much to be said about these verses. Matthew Henry says, "It is an excellent thing to have a lowly spirit in the midst of high advancements, those who abase themselves, shall be exalted." But Paul HAD to tell others what God had done through him and Paul was not boasting for he knew that there was nothing to be gained by boasting. Paul boasted only in what God had done and was doing in his ministry. Here Paul speaks of a miracle that occurred in his life some 14 years before. He was caught up into "Third Heaven" , Paradise, the home of the redeemed. Many believe that the Garden of Eden was the first Heaven and the "Bosom of Abraham in the Old Testament, was the second Heaven and the place that Jesus went to establish for the saved, is the third Heaven. This is the one Paul was privileged to visit.
How and when did this happen? Paul says some 14 years before. At age 26, Paul was in Jerusalem and barely escaped with his life. Many believe that Paul was beaten until he was thought dead. It may have been that at that time he was caught up into Heaven, a condition spoken of by many who have been clinically dead. In this way Paul experienced the same transition as did John when he was taken up into Heaven and given the words of the Revelation.
John records in Revelation chapter 4, "I looked up into Heaven and low a door opened and a voice speaking like a trumpet said, 'come up hither and I will show you what must take place after this." "At once, I was in the Spirit."
Here, Paul wasn't sure, but he saw clearly and heard plainly and understood the honor placed upon him. Verse 3, "I know I was caught up into Paradise." Verse 4, "I know that I heard things that cannot be told." Notice the modest manner in which he relates this event. "I know a man, in Christ, who was caught up into the third Heaven." How many of us would be so modest if we were honored with such a visit? It seems that Paul had been quiet about it for some 14 years. It is this man that Paul boasts of, not Paul, the man, but Paul, the man God made.
One of Paul's weaknesses was his pride in having been the object of God's revelation. To keep Paul from being to proud, God put a "thorn" in his flesh. "Blessed are those who have a thorn in the flesh." What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? Many have guessed, some say arthritis, some poor eyesight, some a broken and brushed body, some separation from his brethren, some the memory of the stoning of Stephen or the years that he persecuted Christians or perhaps the many false accusations that were hurled against him. Whatever it was, God would not take it from him but gave him Grace sufficient to bear it. It was a messenger to keep him humble and that it did.
Paul had healed many, by the Grace of God, but he could not heal himself. Three
times Paul had prayed for the Lord to heal him but all that he got was Grace
sufficient to bear it. Why? The Lord said that His power was made perfect in
weakness and Paul's thorn was evidence of his weakness. Our weakness is the object
of God's Grace. Weakness brings about sin and where sin abounds, Grace much more
abounds. Paul says, "I will declare to the world my Weakness that the power of
Christ (Grace) may rest upon me, for when I am weak, then I am strong." It is in
our weakness, that we obtain God's Grace and rely upon His strength.
Paul's Rebuttal
["Click here for II Corinthians 12,+11-21"]
Here we see that Paul is still not sure what he will find when he arrives in Corinth. He has written a previous letter, sent Timothy and Titus to help them clean up their problems, but he still is not sure. People are changeable, especially those who were being influenced by false teachers. Leadership is constantly being challenged. So Paul has written this second letter. He has made a fool of himself at least, in his own eyes. They had forced him to speak of his own credentials in order to discredit the false teachers.
Paul asks, "I'm I inferior to those glib but uninformed so-called Apostles?" "Did I not perform the signs of a true Apostle while I was with you?" "Were you any less favored than the other churches?" "Maybe I should have taken your money and burdened you with my support, forgive me this wrong." Paul was already planning another visit to Corinth but he had already decided not to take money from them for his support. Why? Because he didn't want their money, he wanted them, the people. Give of yourself first, then your money.
No, Paul did not want their money but he was willing to spend and be spent for them. Isn't is strange that those we love most, seldom return that love. "Did I ever take advantage of you?" "Think back you Corinthians, did I or anyone that I sent, take advantage of you?" By now Paul was wondering how they were reacting to this letter. What would they be thinking as they read this letter? Perhaps they would be thinking that he wrote it to defend himself. "Well don't think that." "It is for your up-building that we are writing this." "I have been away for quite a few years now, what will I find when I return?"
"Maybe, I won't like you, maybe you won't like me." "Maybe I won't like what I find when I get there." "What if I find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit or disorder, what will this do to my visit?" Paul really did not want to go to Corinth as a judge. He hoped that they would have their problems taken care of by the time he got there. However, he was a faithful minister and he never ceased seeking the best for those whom he loved. If we truly love someone, we will be concerned about the sin that is in their lives. Paul mourned for these people, can we do any less?
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