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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
12:1-13 Paul's Boast in His Heavenly Vision and Subsequent Weakness. Because his opponents boast in their spiritual experiences as well as in their ethnic identity, Paul is also forced to boast, however foolishly, in his own visions and revelations (see 11:1, 16; 12:11). But then in vv. 7-10 he returns one last time to boasting in his weakness, revealing the presence of a "thorn in the flesh" as the appropriate means for glorifying God's grace and power in his life and ministry. In vv. 9-10 he clearly states the principle behind this aspect of his self-commendation (1:3-11; 2:14-17; 4:7-12; 6:3-10; 11:23-33): Paul's earthly weaknesses, not his revelations, are to be the platform for demonstrating the Lord's power and grace.
12:2-3 I know a man . . . this man. Paul's hesitancy to boast of his visions is reflected in his use of the third person (as if it had happened to someone else). the third heaven (i.e., the highest; see 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chron. 2:6; Neh. 9:6; Ps. 148:4). This phrase does not imply belief in a simplistic "three-story universe" but reflects a commonsense distinction between
12:7 a thorn was given me (by God, who is sovereign over all things) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. The nature of this "thorn" or "messenger" is much disputed. The most frequently proposed possibilities include:
12:8 Three times indicates that Paul has now finished praying for the thorn's removal, having received his answer from Christ (v. 9; cf. Jesus' threefold prayer in Mark 14:32-41).
12:9-10 My grace is sufficient. Paul says that God's grace "is sufficient" (in the present tense), underscoring the ever-present availability and sufficiency of God's grace, for Paul and for every believer, regardless of how critical one's circumstances may be (cf. Rom. 8:31-39). my power is made perfect in weakness. Paul was not allowed to speak about his heavenly revelations (2 Cor. 12:4, 6) but he quotes Christ's declaration ("My grace is sufficient") to underscore that his earthly weaknesses (not his revelations) would be the platform for perfecting and demonstrating the Lord's power (see chart). This is the main point of vv. 1-13 and the foundation of Paul's self-defense throughout 2 Corinthians.
12:11 super-apostles. See note on 11:5-6. even though I am nothing. Paul was the "least of the apostles," having persecuted the church (1 Cor. 15:8-9), and he owes everything to the grace and call of God in his life (1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 3:4-6).
12:12 the signs of a true apostle . . . among you with utmost patience. A reference to the work of the Spirit through Paul's ministry as seen in the conversion and gifting of the Corinthians (3:1-3), and seen too in Paul's Christlike behavior, characterized by his endurance in adversity by the power of God (6:4; 10:1-12:10). with signs and wonders and mighty works. A threefold description of miraculous acts that accompanied and accredited the ministry of an apostle (see Rom. 15:18-19; Gal. 3:1-5). This triad ties God's saving work under the new covenant to the signs and wonders at the exodus, thus showing the continuity within redemptive history (e.g., Ex. 3:20; 7:3; 10:1-2; Num. 14:22; Deut. 4:34; Josh. 24:17; Ps. 105:27-36; Acts 7:36; see the Overview of the Bible).
