God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Co 12:1-10)
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· 3 viewsPaul continues to defend his apostolic authority against false apostles who accuse him of not being an apostle of Christ by boasting from a fools perspective to make much of God's grace which is sufficient; for God's power is made perfect in Paul's weakness.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Paul continues to defend his apostolic authority against false apostles, who accuse him of not being an apostle of Christ, by boasting from a fools perspective to make much of God's grace which is sufficient; for God's power is made perfect in Paul's weakness.
The purpose today is to encourage you to trust God in that His power is sufficient to give you strength in your weakness for in doing so we find that when we are weak we are strong.
Reading
Reading
1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
v. 1: Paul continues with his boast although he knows there is nothing to gain in doing so. However, he goes on to talk about visions and revelations from the LORD.
v. 1: Paul continues with his boast although he knows there is nothing to gain in doing so. However, he goes on to talk about visions and revelations from the LORD.
Visions - information received from God but not necessarily comprehended. It is not a dream because unlike dreams, the one who has a vision seems to be still awake. (Isa 6; Dan 1:17).
Visions - information received from God but not necessarily comprehended. It is not a dream because unlike dreams, the one who has a vision seems to be still awake. (Isa 6; Dan 1:17).
Revelation - making known information that was previously unknown
Revelation - making known information that was previously unknown
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 the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
v. 2-3: The man Paul is referring too is either himself in the third person or someone who knows. Contextually, it is more likely Paul referring to himself as the “man in Christ.” If it is Paul referring to himself, this event is recorded outside of this text.
v. 2-3: The man Paul is referring too is either himself in the third person or someone who knows. Contextually, it is more likely Paul referring to himself as the “man in Christ.” If it is Paul referring to himself, this event is recorded outside of this text.
“Third Heaven” in Jewish cosmology (study of the universe) is considered the “highest heaven” and the place where God dwells.
“Third Heaven” in Jewish cosmology (study of the universe) is considered the “highest heaven” and the place where God dwells.
Paul states twice that he did not know if this experience was in the body or out of body but God knows.
Paul states twice that he did not know if this experience was in the body or out of body but God knows.
v. 4: The man in Christ was caught up to paradise (most likely reference to third heaven where God dwells). The word “caught up” is typical prophetic language for the work of the Holy Spirit temporarily taking over someone’s life to give him or her a vision or revelation. The prophet Ezekiel used similar language (Ezek 2:2; 3:14; 8:3; 1 Thess 4:17).
v. 4: The man in Christ was caught up to paradise (most likely reference to third heaven where God dwells). The word “caught up” is typical prophetic language for the work of the Holy Spirit temporarily taking over someone’s life to give him or her a vision or revelation. The prophet Ezekiel used similar language (Ezek 2:2; 3:14; 8:3; 1 Thess 4:17).
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Co 12:4.
In the presence of God, Paul says, the man in Christ heard inexpressible things, things that no one was permitted to tell. Whatever the inexpressible things were, the LORD did not give authority to the man in Christ to reveal them.
In the presence of God, Paul says, the man in Christ heard inexpressible things, things that no one was permitted to tell. Whatever the inexpressible things were, the LORD did not give authority to the man in Christ to reveal them.
5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
v. 5-7a.: If indeed Paul is talking about himself, he refrains from making much of this because he does not want to boast about himself due to the Corinthians possibly thinking more of him than warranted. Instead, he boasts about his weaknesses. And even if he were to boast about what he did or say, or because of the surpassingly great revelations he would be speaking the truth.
v. 5-7a.: If indeed Paul is talking about himself, he refrains from making much of this because he does not want to boast about himself due to the Corinthians possibly thinking more of him than warranted. Instead, he boasts about his weaknesses. And even if he were to boast about what he did or say, or because of the surpassingly great revelations he would be speaking the truth.
v. 7b.: To keep him from becoming conceited (exalting himself like the “super-apostles”) he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment him. “A ‘thorn in the flesh’ may refer to Paul’s inner emotional turmoil about the churches (2:4), an ongoing sin, his opponents (like the so-called super-apostles; 11:1–5), a physical ailment (such as poor eyesight), his speaking ability (10:10), or demonic opposition (both in general or specific to him, as in 1 Thess 2:18). All of these options seem possible considering circumstances in Paul’s life.” However, I think he is referring to opposition based on numerous Old Testaments passages which considers those who are rebellious towards God to be thorns to the Israelites. (Nu 33:55; Jos 23:13; Eze 2:6, 28:24)
v. 7b.: To keep him from becoming conceited (exalting himself like the “super-apostles”) he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment him. “A ‘thorn in the flesh’ may refer to Paul’s inner emotional turmoil about the churches (2:4), an ongoing sin, his opponents (like the so-called super-apostles; 11:1–5), a physical ailment (such as poor eyesight), his speaking ability (10:10), or demonic opposition (both in general or specific to him, as in 1 Thess 2:18). All of these options seem possible considering circumstances in Paul’s life.” However, I think he is referring to opposition based on numerous Old Testaments passages which considers those who are rebellious towards God to be thorns to the Israelites. (Nu 33:55; Jos 23:13; Eze 2:6, 28:24)
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Co 12:7.
A messenger of Satan could be an evil being or a human opponent(s) to torment (strike or beat him).
A messenger of Satan could be an evil being or a human opponent(s) to torment (strike or beat him).
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 made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
v. 8-9: The three times Paul pleaded with the LORD is liken to Jesus’ prayer in the garden, before His death, to the Father to keep him from suffering on the cross (Mk 14:32-42). The LORD choosing Paul to endure the thorn in the flesh links Paul with His suffering. However, Jesus does not leave Paul powerless in His weaknesses but shows Paul grace which is sufficient (satisfying) for His power is made perfect in weakness. Hence why Paul boast in his weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on him.
v. 8-9: The three times Paul pleaded with the LORD is liken to Jesus’ prayer in the garden, before His death, to the Father to keep him from suffering on the cross (Mk 14:32-42). The LORD choosing Paul to endure the thorn in the flesh links Paul with His suffering. However, Jesus does not leave Paul powerless in His weaknesses but shows Paul grace which is sufficient (satisfying) for His power is made perfect in weakness. Hence why Paul boast in his weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on him.
v. 10: No matter what Paul endure for Christ’s sake, he delights in it. For when he is weak, then he is strong
v. 10: No matter what Paul endure for Christ’s sake, he delights in it. For when he is weak, then he is strong
Conclusion
Conclusion
God is all satisfying
God is all satisfying
Delight in suffering for Christ sake
Delight in suffering for Christ sake
Boast of your weaknesses for He makes us strong
Boast of your weaknesses for He makes us strong