Paul’s Vision 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. Paul’s Vision On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a...

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionOn September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a

“vision.”

“vision.”◦ “A personage appeared at my bedside,

standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . . Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorified beyond description . . . . [He] said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do.”

◦Obviously, we cannot believe Smith’s claims.

◦Obviously, we cannot believe Smith’s claims. Such visions have ended.

◦Obviously, we cannot believe Smith’s claims. Such visions have ended. The message of Smith’s “visions” contracts the

message of Jesus’ apostles.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionBut, in Paul’s day, many did receive

revelations from God.

revelations from God.◦It seems that many well-meaning Christians had

trouble separating the claims of true visions & the claims of visions like Joseph Smith’s.

◦ In Corinth, some false prophets were upsetting the faith of some.

◦ In Corinth, some false prophets were upsetting the faith of some: “If someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough” (2 Cor 11:4, ESV).

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThese false prophets apparently wanted to

discredit Paul.

discredit Paul.◦In the final four chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul

defends himself against the claims of these “super-apostles.”

discredit Paul.◦In the final four chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul

defends himself against the claims of these “super-apostles.”

◦“I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works” (2 Cor 12:11-12, ESV).

2 CORINTHIANS 12:2-2 CORINTHIANS 12:2-2020

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThese false prophets were apparently boasting

about receiving so-called “revelations” from God.

Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations. Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from God.

Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.

Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.◦This was a common method among the rabbis in

order to avoid pride.

order to avoid pride.◦The context makes it clear that Paul speaks of

himself.

order to avoid pride.◦The context makes it clear that Paul speaks of

himself. Why else would God send a “messenger of Satan” to torment Paul unless he himself received the message?

GOD’S MINDGOD’S MINDvv 2-4

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years

ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter” (vv 2-4, ESV).

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionBoth of Paul’s epistles to the Corinthians are

laden with sarcasm.

laden with sarcasm.◦As Paul defends his apostleship, it’s quite clear

that the “super-apostles” were boasting about their position.

that the “super-apostles” were boasting about their position. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (10:17,

ESV). “Whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am

speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that” (11:21, ESV).

◦Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on boasting” (12:1, ESV).

◦Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on boasting” (12:1, ESV). Paul then “boasts” about the vision he received.

◦Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on boasting” (12:1, ESV). Paul then “boasts” about the vision he received. But, in his boasting, Paul can’t say if the

experience was in or out of the body & he can’t repeat what he heard.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionPaul’s point in his mock boasting is to say:

“There’s no point in boasting about what one can do or what one has seen, for it’s God who determines those things.”

“There’s no point in boasting about what one can do or what one has seen, for it’s God who determines those things.”◦Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the

third heaven” “in the body or out of the body.”

third heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we know?

◦What things did Paul hear?

◦What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.”

KJV: Paul “heard unspeakable words.”

KJV: Paul “heard unspeakable words.” This simply means that Paul cannot tell what he heard, for

he heard things “which man may not utter.”

◦What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.” God knows what Paul heard in “the third heaven,”

but we don’t.

◦What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.” God knows what Paul heard in “the third heaven,”

but we don’t. Paul knew what he heard in “the third heaven,” but the Corinthians didn’t.

GOD KNOWS MUCH GOD KNOWS MUCH THAT WE DO NOT THAT WE DO NOT KNOW.KNOW.

The point:

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision“The secret things belong to the LORD our

God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29, ESV).

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision“The secret things belong to the LORD our

God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29, ESV).

“The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor 1:25, ESV).

DOES THAT NOT DOES THAT NOT REALLY PUT MAN IN REALLY PUT MAN IN HIS PLACE?HIS PLACE?

GOD IS THE ONE GOD IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS ALL.WHO KNOWS ALL.

DIVINE MEEKNESSDIVINE MEEKNESSv 7

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision“To keep me from becoming conceited

because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (v 7, ESV).

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThis verse demonstrates God’s control over

Satan.

Satan.◦It’s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to

harass” Paul.

harass” Paul. The purpose of this “messenger” was to keep Paul

from becoming too conceited.

from becoming too conceited. Satan would have loved Paul’s becoming conceited,

wouldn’t he?

wouldn’t he? Imagine the benefit to Satan’s kingdom if this “messenger”

hadn’t been sent & Paul became conceited!

wouldn’t he? Imagine the benefit to Satan’s kingdom if this “messenger”

hadn’t been sent & Paul became conceited! This messenger’s purpose makes clear he was sent

by God.

harass” Paul.◦God’s control of the universe even extends to

Satan.

Satan. Satan can only do what the Lord allows!

Satan. Satan can only do what the Lord allows! Satan cannot tempt us beyond what we can handle

(1 Cor 10:13).

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThe word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or

“stake.”

“stake.”◦The word was used for stakes that were used for

torture.

“stake.”◦The word was used for stakes that were used for

torture.◦ It’s not clear if “thorn” or “stake” is intended,

but it doesn’t matter.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThrough the years, scholars have tried to

identify this “thorn.”

identify this “thorn.”◦The only hint from the text is that it was “in the

flesh.”

identify this “thorn.”◦The only hint from the text is that it was “in the

flesh.”◦That likely rules out temptation or guilt or any

other psychological issue.

identify this “thorn.”◦Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight.

It’s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight.

It’s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21).

It’s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21); it’s

highly likely that most, if not all, of Paul’s epistles were dictated to someone who wrote them down.

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand” (Gal 6:11, ESV).

Some have suggested that the reason Paul took others with him on his journeys was so that they could lead him around.

It’s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. If, as some have suggested, the poor eyesight is a

result of the light on the road to Damascus, this cannot be the “thorn in the flesh,” for Paul’s thorn came after his conversion.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThere are clues that Paul had some sort of

physical deformity.

physical deformity.◦“You know it was because of a bodily ailment

that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus” (Gal 4:13-14, ESV).

physical deformity.◦Gal 4:13-14.

Granted, the next verse (15) says that the Galatians would have plucked out their eyes for Paul.

physical deformity.◦Gal 4:13-14.

Granted, the next verse (15) says that the Galatians would have plucked out their eyes for Paul.

But, it’s difficult to imagine that a visual difficulty would have been a “trial” for the Galatians.

physical deformity.◦Gal 4:13-14.◦“His letters are weighty and strong, but his

bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1 Cor 10:10, ESV).

bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1 Cor 10:10, ESV). “His bodily presence is weak” makes me think Paul

had more physical problems than poor eyesight.

bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1 Cor 10:10, ESV). “His bodily presence is weak” makes me think Paul

had more physical problems than poor eyesight. His ailment could have been a neurological

condition or injury that affected both the way Paul saw & the way others saw him.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionEarly church tradition describes Paul’s

appearance in a less than aesthetic way.

appearance in a less than aesthetic way.◦A document from the late second century says

that Paul was “a man little of stature, thin haired upon the head, crooked in the legs, [and] a nose somewhat hooked.”

appearance in a less than aesthetic way.◦A document from the late second century says

that Paul was “a man little of stature, thin haired upon the head, crooked in the legs, [and] a nose somewhat hooked.”

◦While it’s not certain, this tradition may contain a kernel of truth.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionIt doesn’t matter what Paul’s “thorn in the

flesh” may or may not have been.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionIt doesn’t matter what Paul’s “thorn in the

flesh” may or may not have been.The important thing is that this “messenger of

Satan” was sent to Paul to keep him meek.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionSuffering can have quite positive effects.

◦“We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:8-9, ESV).

◦2 Cor 1:8-9. ◦“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet

trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).

◦2 Cor 1:8-9. ◦ Js 1:2-4.

When we face suffering, we dare not forget that it can have quite positive effects on our lives.

DIVINE MIGHTDIVINE MIGHTvv 8-10

Paul’s VisionPaul’s Vision“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about

this, that it should leave me. 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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” (vv 8-10, ESV).

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionPaul pleaded with the Lord three times that the

messenger of Satan would leave him.

messenger of Satan would leave him.◦But, the Lord refused to send Satan’s messenger

away from Paul.

away from Paul.◦We dare not forget that the Lord’s refusal to

answer a prayer the way we want does not mean that he does not hear or that he does not care.

answer a prayer the way we want does not mean that he does not hear or that he does not care. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden for the

Father to remove the cross, but the Father did not do so.

answer a prayer the way we want does not mean that he does not hear or that he does not care. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden for the Father

to remove the cross, but the Father did not do so. If the very Son of God did not have his prayer

answered the way he wanted, who are we to think that God will always answer our prayers the way we want?

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionGod did not refuse to answer Paul’s prayer.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionGod did not refuse to answer Paul’s prayer.Instead, the Lord says to him, “My grace is

sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionGod’s grace is abundant regardless of what

trial we face.

trial we face.◦Thus, we can put our confidence in God

regardless of what transpires in life.

regardless of what transpires in life.◦“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor

fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places” (Hab 3:17-20, ESV).

regardless of what transpires in life.◦Hab 3:17-20.

The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between the prophet & God.

The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between the prophet & God. Habakkuk simply cannot understand how God can be just,

for evil is all around him.

The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between the prophet & God. Habakkuk simply cannot understand how God can be just,

for evil is all around him. God responds that he is sovereign & he acts according to

his will, not Habakkuk’s.

The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between the prophet & God.

By the end of the Book, Habakkuk trusts God & says that regardless of what transpires, he will place confidence in God.

Paul’s VisionPaul’s VisionThe Lord also tells Paul that his power is made

perfect in weakness.

perfect in weakness.◦If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think

about the ironic power God displayed through him.

◦Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself.

◦Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from

birth (Acts 14:8-10).

◦Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from

birth (Acts 14:8-10). In Philippi, Paul healed a girl possessed by a

demon (Acts 16:16-18).

perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about

the ironic power God displayed through him.◦Paul could heal others, but he could not heal

himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth

(Acts 14:8-10). In Philippi, Paul healed a girl possessed by a demon

(Acts 16:16-18). “God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands

of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them” (Acts 19:11-12, ESV).

◦Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. It had to be obvious that Paul wasn’t healing

through his own power.

through his own power. The power Paul used to heal had to be the power

of God.

through his own power. The power Paul used to heal had to be the power

of God. Nothing else made any sense at all!

IS IT IMPOSSIBLE IS IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN THAT GOD CAN DISPLAY GREAT DISPLAY GREAT POWER THROUGH POWER THROUGH OUR WEAKNESSES?OUR WEAKNESSES?

How much might be accomplished for the cause of Christ through our sufferings?

ARE YOU READY TO ARE YOU READY TO DISPLAY GOD’S DISPLAY GOD’S POWER THROUGH POWER THROUGH YOUR SUFFERING?YOUR SUFFERING?

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