2 CorinthiansThe Heart of An Apostle

Part 19: “Paul’s Last Humble Boast”

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

2 CorinthiansThe Heart of An Apostle

Part 19: “Paul’s Last Humble Boast”

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

False ApostlesFalse Apostles

2 Corinthians 11:22 Corinthians 11:2

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.”

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.”

Paul’s Inner TurmoilPaul’s Inner Turmoil

JawsJaws

Mountain Topto

Valley

Mountain Topto

Valley

Don PiperDon Piper

Paul’s trip to HeavenPaul’s trip to Heaven

2 Corinthians 12:1-4a2 Corinthians 12:1-4a

 1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I 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. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise.

 1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I 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. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise.

2 Corinthians 12:4b-62 Corinthians 12:4b-6

He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even 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.

He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even 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.

New Bible Commentary

New Bible Commentary

In the literature of both the Jewish and Gentile worlds there are parallels to the apostle’s experience of rapture, and from these parallels three things may be learned of Paul’s experience. First, the experience he spoke of was understandable to his contemporaries.

In the literature of both the Jewish and Gentile worlds there are parallels to the apostle’s experience of rapture, and from these parallels three things may be learned of Paul’s experience. First, the experience he spoke of was understandable to his contemporaries.

New Bible CommentaryNew Bible Commentary

Secondly, such an experience was believed to be awe-inspiring, and this explains in part Paul’s great reticence in describing it. Thirdly, having had such an experience would place him on a level with the great heroes of faith, and by claiming such an experience Paul could completely outflank his opponents.

Secondly, such an experience was believed to be awe-inspiring, and this explains in part Paul’s great reticence in describing it. Thirdly, having had such an experience would place him on a level with the great heroes of faith, and by claiming such an experience Paul could completely outflank his opponents.

Colossians 2:18  Colossians 2:18  

18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

Galatians 4:17Galatians 4:17

“Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us so that you may be zealous for them.”

“Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us so that you may be zealous for them.”

HeavenHeaven

1. First heaven (Ge.8:2, Dt.11:11, 1Ki.8:35)

2. Second heaven (Ge.15:5, Ps.8:3)

3. Third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2)

1. First heaven (Ge.8:2, Dt.11:11, 1Ki.8:35)

2. Second heaven (Ge.15:5, Ps.8:3)

3. Third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2)

2 Corinthians 12:7-9a2 Corinthians 12:7-9a

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9b-102 Corinthians 12:9b-10

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That 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.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That 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.

Wonderful PromiseWonderful Promise

His grace is sufficient!His grace is sufficient!

QuestionsQuestions

1. Do you need to think more about how you can boast in your weakness in order to make Christ and His cross look great and powerful? For example, do you boast about what Christ has saved you from? Do you boast about how Christ has given you strength to do his work or even get through the day?

More QuestionsMore Questions

Are you suffering? If so, could it be for a reason like Paul’s? Is Christ teaching you how to fully rely on His power alone? Or, are you more prone to want this trial taken away? Consider our Lord, after asking 3 times, he submitted to the Father’s will. Could it be the Father’s will for you to suffer? And for those of you giving care to a sufferer, do you need to be more patient because you are not exactly sure why they are suffering?