The Cost of Revelations

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Context 1-6, text 7-10

2 Corinthians 12:1–10 (NKJV)

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I 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. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For 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.

7 And 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. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And 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. 10 Therefore 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.

Thorny Message 7, Gracious Message 8-9, Got the message 10

2 Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations,

Being taken to “the promised” land, is huge. Paul didn't want them believing in that just because He went to heaven. But because of the work he did as their Apostle. v6

So Paul begins that all the revelations, visions, miracles, etc came at a cost. The closer we become to God the more of our own sin we are aware of and more of a target we become.

we can also begin to think that its because we are great, the word exalted above measure is conceited, prideful. hyperairomai - to lift ones self

a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

Ok, can I tell you how hotly this one section gets debated? Some say person, some say feeling, some say sickness. All for reasons of buttressing their position on healing or not, etc.

But rather than just looking at the debated meanings to justify a theological position, lets just look at the text.

thorn - skolops - a piercing point, pointed stake, thorn. flesh - sarx - not just indwelling sickness but something that affects us in our flesh. The thorn was affecting him in a real way. Now could it be sickness? Job was made sick afflicted by Satan Job 2:7 “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” Paul was thought by some scholars to be afflicted by opthamalia, malaria, etc.

just an fyi - thorns are usually enemies of Israel in the OT, (Num. 33:55; Josh. 23:13; Judg. 2:3; Ezek. 28:24) and I know that before I became a christian i was a thorn the sides of Christians.

What is a thorn in the flesh? When we think of a thorn, we think of a somewhat minor irritation. But the root word Paul used for thorn here describes a tent stake, not a thumbtack.

David Guzik

Messenger - angelos of Satan. Demonically inspired. Maybe even the leader of the Corinthian opposition, possibly possessed by a demon? Even the word buffet - kolaphizo - beat, bash with the fist. this could still mean illness. But we’ll address all this in a moment. This is also a reality check that the most influential “christian” of people can be really be vicious to us. 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Remember these guys attacking Corinth came in the name of Jesus.

Now Paul doesn’t clarify exactly what this is as he continues, “thanks Paul”, but he does give us such hope. Which we’ll talk about in a moment. Again, he realizes this keeps him grounded, his pride in Check.

Some teach that this is sickness and oppression. Two separate things. It could be.

2 Corinthians 12:8 NKJV

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

Now we could go the route of numerology, see the 3s in all the scripture, spiritualize this verse, Its praying 3x like Jesus Matthew 26:44, etc. But there is nothing in the text that indicates this. I even heard once a guy teach that Paul prayed in the name of Father, then the Son, then the Holy Spirit (trinity) and all in tongues then God answered. There is nothing in this or any other text that indicates this. As a matter of fact who does he say he begged? LORD. Jesus.

Whatever is happening to him, Paul didn’t pray for strength to make it through, but for God to take it. Don’t we all wish there was 0 suffering involved in being here? that God would just take away the pain. He does it for some, why not me? Sometimes we even become disillusioned in our walk when suffering comes.

Now I could give you all the regular scriptures. Like when we do suffer, heaven is so much more Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Now hear the Word of the Lord. Hear what He reveals to Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

9 And 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.

This he pours out on Paul. A balm of the Spirit that His children, that we, have not been abandoned even in the midst of demonic attack in our lives. Grace.

Charis in the Greek, in its simplest definition, its to be glad. Its the immense Joy of experiencing the Love of God in us. For us. Its the heart of the Lord that he gives the undeserved gift of favor and good will of God. Its God finding favor in you when you have none in you. An unmerited favor. A joy and rejoicing

Sufficient - arkei - to be content. Be sufficient. Oh this immensity of Gods grace. Gods grace that imparts His Holy Spirit in us. That saves us to the uttermost. That gives us everlasting life. It isn't the removal of the burden but the strength given in the midst of that burden.

when you and the world believe that you cant do it, thats when His strength shines through and accomplishes the task. 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

That same word infirmities is weaknesses - astheneia. Things that make us weak. People that hurt us. Loss of loved ones. Death. Sickness, etc. It covers the gambit of possibilities.

Pauls boast now isn’t his weakness but that in the midst of it, Christ is there, closer than ever, to hold him up under the burden of it all.

May rest - skene - tabernacle, tent. His power is the covering that envelops and shelters. But you have to go in when the rain comes. Quit trying to tough it out. Go to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

10 Therefore 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.

Of note, Paul didn’t seek out these things, these things sought him out. Do y’all know what flagellants were? They were sects & individuals that would purposefully hurt themselves, beat themselves with whips with chains and the like. Because they thought it was about the pain. But it isn't.

Paul simply says I can stand up to anything because Jesus is everything. This is why Paul can say, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Because its true. I cant do it. But he can in me. That hurt, that singular point of pain, Jesus can get you through it.

Rather than look at each of the “words” lets just look at another translation. 2 Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Was it a demonic messenger that made Paul sick? Was it a sickness and a demon? Yes. No matter the weakness, the hurt, persecution, disasters in your life, Jesus can be your strength. If oppressed, Jesus can get you through it. Bear up in it. The person that brings us the most joy, and be the one that hurts us the most. Its not about going to a person, a ministry, a pastor or the like.

It’s not taking pleasure in pain itself but where it drives us. I don’t like the pain, but I love the results because it drives me to my knees, to Jesus. It drove even the great Apostle Paul - remember this word remember can mean a thorn, but it can also be a spike driven trough us - it caused him to beg in prayer to his Lord. The beautiful thing that we experience here is the leaning on jesus, trusting in Him. No matter what is trying to destroy you. Thats why I think that God made this so could've been this, could've been that.