2 Corinthians 12:1 10 (NKJV)1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

Transcription

1 Introduction In this new chapter Paul seems to speak of his visions and revelations from Christ (vv.1-6); his persistent thorn in the flesh (vv.7-10); and apostolic ministry made manifest through signs (vv ). Oddly enough the signs are not miracles and wonders as much as patience and steadfast endurance under trial. Remember Paul s purpose in writing this letter; to express joy to the church for their support and commitment to Paul s ministry (chapters 1-7); to remind the believers of their commitment to help support the suffering churches in Judea (chapters 8-9); and to defend his apostolic ministry (chapters 10-13). In the course of that defense Paul has spoken of his service and suffering for the church. Paul does not like to boast in himself or draw attention to himself. Some may have misunderstood his reluctance to speak about himself as evidence that Paul lacked spiritual insight or supernatural experiences. Even in the first century people were attracted to those with spiritual experiences, visions and revelations from the Lord. Spiritual experiences, visions and revelations come in two broad categories; those that are truly from the Lord and those that are not from the Lord. In order to save the Corinthians from their own unhealthy preoccupation with false teachers Paul reluctantly defends himself. We place great weight on personal experience. In job interviews we are typically asked; What is your experience? In the ministry people will often gravitate to the person who claim extraordinary experiences! Paul s experiences included privilege--but it was never privilege without pain. The Minister s Mysterious Vision (vv.1-6) 2 Corinthians 12:1 10 (NKJV)1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: Paul has made every effort to draw attention away from himself and point people to Christ. It doesn t make sense to boast. Paul goes from his most humiliating experience to the most glorious experience. We admire people who have a command of the language, intelligence and giftedness. Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor.4:7) and said, For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? Paul knew everything we have we owe to the Lord. Paul was a man who was born with Roman citizenship; access to the finest education; a brilliant mind; a command of the scriptures; a dedication to ministry; proven gifts; amazing faith. Apart 1

2 from the Lord Jesus Christ Paul ranks as the single greatest Christian who has defined and directed our thinking concerning the things of Jesus. It seems odd to me that anyone would question his credentials or his teaching! But question they did! Paul has given us a different kind of resume in chapter 11 and even more bizarre credentials in chapter 12. 2I know 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 such a one was caught up to the third heaven. Paul speaks of the experience in the third person; but most conservative Bible teachers think that Paul is making reference to himself. Why does Paul do this? Modesty? Does Paul know the danger of those who claim to have a supernatural experience or personal revelation? Does Paul want to avoid being thought of as a special Christian? If it is Paul he talks about a man in Christ who fourteen years ago --a special clue! It would place Paul in a wilderness-shortly after his conversion in Damascus. A time when he has limited contact with anyone! If this is true--and it is Paul--and he took a journey--a kind of beyond and back journey--this is the first we hear about it. He kept it to himself. Paul s focus in ministry was not to draw people into the kingdom by amazing stories of beyond and back experiences--but rather of the historical reality of a resurrected Jesus. Few things are more popular or more sensational that tales of journeys to heaven and hell. Paul does not write a book on near-death experiences; but gives only the most vague and sketchy details of the experience. What is this third heaven? In the ancient world the sky above was called heaven. The stars beyond the sky were called heaven. The place beyond the stars was also called heaven. 3And I know such a man whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows Paul doesn t know if the man (himself) was dead or alive. Since Paul doesn t know it doesn t make sense that even the most able commentator would be able to conclude one way or another. 4how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. The world translated paradise is paradeison--the other world--the unseen world--the spiritual world. 2

3 Paul saw things that were inexpressable or unspeakable--in the sense too sacred to be uttered-- and therefore not appropriate to publish. There are a number of books about people who have allegedly made the journey to heaven or hell. What are we to think about those books? 5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. Paul seems to be saying; if the subject is now weakness--i feel comfortable including myself in the conversation. Since the subject is such an exalted subject perhaps I should leave myself out. Paul neither confirms or denies that he is the man who had the experience. 6For though I might desire to boast, I will 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. There is something inside us that wants Paul to tell us more! Tell us more Paul? What did you see? What was heaven like? Who did you see? Paul reminds the reader that what he is willing to write about is the truth. Paul admits for though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. What truth is that? The things are not lawful for a man to utter? How do you describe the indescribable? What are the dangers? People may get the wrong impression about Paul. lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. Do you understand what Paul is saying? Paul runs the risk of imparting a false impression. What false impression? That Christianity is about visions and dreams and revelations! And that the super Christian is the one with the super vision! Paul is adamant. The most important thing about Paul is that he is nothing more than what they have know him to be--a follower of Jesus--an Apostle of Jesus--a sincere and devoted man of God with real weakness and real pain, inadequate, human, dependent on Jesus for everything! There are several things about this verse that should cause the careful reader to take note: Divine revelation does not correct the flesh. Even after a journey to heaven Paul remains a man of flesh and blood. Paul still faced the temptation of pride. The revelation of heaven is followed by a thorn in the flesh. 3

4 The Minister s Ongoing Vexation (v.7) 7And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Look at the distance between the throne in heaven and the thorn on the earth. The source of the pain is Satan and the purpose of the pain was to prevent pride. What was Paul s thorn in the flesh? No one knows. Paul wasn t specific. Calvin thought it was spiritual temptations--the urge of Paul to wave or doubt in his faith when things got hard. Luther thought it referred to temptations and persecutions. Some suggest sexual temptations since Paul was celibate. Others have suggested disfigurement or disease like epilepsy or severe headaches or chronic eye infections. The most common theory is failing eyesight and many cite Galatians 6:11; See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. In the same letter to the Galatians Paul cites their friendship for him as being so deep that some would have gladly plucked out their eyes and given them to Paul (4:15). This seems to strengthen the argument that Paul s eyesight somehow gave him problems. Whatever it is--it was more than just inconvenient. It would appear to be painful and persistent. Lenski comments on the word thorn: We have the idea of something sharp and painful sticking deeply in the flesh so that it remains there and cannot be drawn out...(the verb in this passage is rare and it is translated as torment) Derived from the word for knuckles, it means to strike with the fist so that the hard knuckles make a blow that sting and crush the opponent. Why isn t there a united consensus on the identity of Paul s thorn? Could it be that the Holy Spirit has chosen not to reveal its identity in order to not limit its application in our own lives? We are sometimes reluctant to admit our hero Paul may have had a disability, or a constant blow to his pride--or a continual temptation! The point might just be that God allows an ongoing disability or a constant blow to our pride or an ongoing temptation in our lives--so that we will constantly rely on Him and so that the power of the Holy Spirit would flow in our lives! Is there something in your life that constantly trips you up or holds you back? The Minister s Eventual Victory (vv.8-10) 4

5 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. Paul pleads for the the pain to go away. Who can blame him? It makes perfect sense that in the presence of pain we want relief. Paul prays. He asks in faith. He asks persistently. What is the purpose of prayer? Doesn t it include discerning God s will? 9And 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 my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. The Lord answered Paul s prayer; the answer was no. The passage is dramatic-the literal translation reads And he kept saying to me --it was God s on going answer--god s continuous answer--to Paul s repeated prayer. The Lord spoke to Paul and said; My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. The answer was not in accordance with Paul s will but God s will. Paul prayed--blessed subtraction! Jesus answered--blessed addition! Isn t it just as easy for God to remove my weakness, remove my failure, remove my pain, than give me grace? But then we have to ask--does God have the right to discipline, to perfect, to demonstrate His power? The Greek term for perfected is the familiar word tetelestai! You know that word. That is the word Jesus spoke on the Cross. There is translated it is finished. Why wouldn t God make the persistent pain go away? The Lord s answer to Paul--seems to be the answer to suffering saints in every generation. God s grace is sufficient. Not God s grace will become sufficient--it is sufficient now! The reason the pain was not allowed to go away is because it produced in Paul--a necessary incompleteness--and a dependency on the Lord Jesus Christ. God used Paul s persistent pain to demonstrate his own grace and sufficiency in spite of the circumstances. Once Paul understood--paul stopped asking for the weakness to be removed. What is the key to the problem of suffering? Look at Paul s attitude: Roy Laurin: It is not God s answer in granting Paul s desire, but Paul s attitude in accepting God s answer. 5

6 Do you really believe God s grace is sufficient to meet all your needs? Do you really believe His power is revealed--not simply in weakness--but in your weakness? 10Therefore 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. Do you think its possible that Paul prayed; Lord--please make this go away. It s hurting me. And hindering my ministry? And God saw something far more sinister--god saw something-- that would be far more deadly and dangerous--than pain--pride. God saw the potential for spiritual conceit.the thorn--whatever it was--kept Paul humble--kept Paul on his knees. J. Oswald Sanders writes; The world s philosophy is, What can t be cured must be endured. But Paul radiantly testifies, What can t be cured can be enjoyed. I even enjoy weakness, sufferings, privations, and difficultites. So wonderful did he prove God s grace to be, that he even welcomed fresh occasions of drawing upon its fullness. I gladly glory...i even enjoy my thorn. Her biographer paid a remarkable tribute to the triumphant faith of Emma Piechynska, wife of a Polish nobleman, whose life was one long frustration and disappointment. It was this: She made magnificent bouquets out of the refusals of God. What an amazing statement. Some may be familiar with the prayer of a Confederate soldier: I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health that I might to greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for... Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed. Conclusion Do you want a vision of heaven? Would you like a guided tour to the next life? What if it meant you would also be given a persistent and painful thorn? 6

7 What is your thorn in the flesh? Who or what is the messenger sent by Satan to buffet you--least you be exalted above measure? What is your failure--your inadequacy--your thorn--that makes you feel inadequate? Are you prepared to accept it as a gift? You can t think of a single spiritual benefit? Not really. Think again. But what if it is a gift? A gift that keeps on giving--and its provision is humility! Weakness. Does this weakness effect your pride? Does it retard or advance the process of sanctification in your life? What is it? Is it God s avenue of grace in your life--is it your chance to see God work in your life? What is it that you are doing? Is your focus on what you can t do--based on your inability--or on what you can do--based on what Jesus is willing to do through you? Has your inability led you to the place of a greater--deeper--dependence on the grace and mercy and love of Jesus? Why in the world would God make me helpless? Perhaps to teach us to trust Him. Why in the world would God make me wait? Perhaps to teach us patience. Why in the world would God stretch us? Perhaps to teach us vision. Why in the world would God allow us to experience the consequences of wrong choices? Perhaps to teach us value. Why in the world would God allow us to fail and make mistakes? Perhaps to teach us wisdom. Why in the world would God permit--pain and affliction? Perhaps to teach us humility. Why in the world would God involve us in the lives of hurting people and difficult people? Perhaps to teach us unselfishness. The list could go on and on. What do all the things on the list have in common? They are all unpleasant and uncomfortable. Once again we are reminded of the Christian paradoxes: Weakness is strength. Who are the strong? Those who can defend themselves or those who are defenseless? 7