Sufficient Grace
1Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions12:1 Lk 1:22 and revelations12:1 1Pt 4:13 of the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ who was caught up12:2 1Th 4:17 to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.
3I know that this man — whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows —
4was caught up into paradise12:4 Lk 23:43 and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak.
5I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.
6For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth.12:6 Ps 119:142; Jn 8:14; 14:6; 2Co 11:10; 1Jn 5:20; 3Jn 3 But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me,
7especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh12:7 Nm 33:55; Ezk 28:24; Php 3:3 was given to me, a messenger of Satan12:7 Mt 4:1,10; Ac 13:10 to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.
8Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
10So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ.12:10 Mt 5:11–12; Rm 5:3; 2Co 13:4 For when I am weak, then I am strong.12:10 Eph 6:10
Signs of an Apostle
11I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.12:11 Gl 6:3
12The signs12:12 Heb 2:4 of an apostle12:12 Ac 1:2; Jd 17 were performed with unfailing endurance among you, including signs and wonders12:12 Mk 13:22 and miracles.12:12 Ac 19:11
13So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
14Look, I am ready to come to you this third time.12:14 Ac 18; 2Co 2:1; 13:1 I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15I will most gladly spend and be spent for you.12:15 Lit for your souls, or for your lives12:15 2Co 1:6; Php 2:17; Col 1:24; 1Th 2:8; 2Tm 2:10 If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16Now granted, I did not burden12:16 1Th 2:7 you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!12:16 Ps 10:7
17Did I take advantage of you by any of those I sent you?
19Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.12:19 1Co 14:3–4
20For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling,12:20 Ti 3:9 jealousy,12:20 Jms 3:14 angry outbursts, selfish ambitions,12:20 Rm 2:8 slander,12:20 1Pt 2:1 gossip, arrogance, and disorder.12:20 1Co 14:33,40
21I fear that when I come my God will again12:21 Or come again my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented12:21 Ac 3:19 of the moral impurity, sexual immorality,12:21 1Th 4:3 and sensuality12:21 Mk 7:21–22 they practiced.
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