2 Corinthians 12 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Paul’s Vision

It is necessary to boast, though nothing is gained by it; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2Co 12:2I know a [fn]man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—such a man was caught up to the [fn]third heaven.

2Co 12:3

2Co 12:3And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—

2Co 12:4

2Co 12:4was caught up into [fn]Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell].

2Co 12:5

2Co 12:5On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.

2Co 12:6

2Co 12:6If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me.

A Thorn in the Flesh

2Co 12:7

2Co 12:7Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself!

2Co 12:8

2Co 12:8Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me;

2Co 12:9

2Co 12:9but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

2Co 12:10

2Co 12:10So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

2Co 12:11

Now I have become foolish; you have forced me [by questioning my apostleship]. Actually I should have been commended by you [instead of being treated disdainfully], for I was not inferior to those [fn]super-apostles, even if I am nobody.

2Co 12:12

2Co 12:12The signs that indicate a genuine apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently—signs and wonders and miracles.

2Co 12:13

2Co 12:13For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except [for the fact] that I did not burden you [with my financial support]? Forgive me [for doing you] this injustice!

2Co 12:14

Now for the third time I am ready to visit you. I will not burden you [financially], because I do not want what is yours [not your money or your possessions], but you. For children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2Co 12:15

2Co 12:15But I will very gladly spend [my own resources] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love you greatly, am I to be loved less [by you]?

2Co 12:16

2Co 12:16But be that as it may, I did not burden you [with my support]. But [some say that] I was sly and took you by trickery.

2Co 12:17

2Co 12:17Did I take advantage of you or make any money off you through any of the messengers I sent you? [Certainly not!]

2Co 12:18

2Co 12:18I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? [No!] Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps? [Of course!]

2Co 12:19

All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually].

2Co 12:20

2Co 12:20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you not to be as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder;

2Co 12:21

2Co 12:21I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and decadence which they formerly practiced.

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AMP Footnotes

(12:2)

Paul had this experience prior to beginning his missionary journeys.

(12:2)

The dwelling place of God, called Paradise by Jesus and also by Paul (v 4).

(12:4)

Paul apparently uses “Paradise” as an equivalent of the third heaven, the dwelling place of God (cf Luke 23:43).

(12:11)

See note 11:5. If the false teachers were degrading Paul’s apostleship, they may have wrongly ascribed a “super-apostleship” to the Twelve, especially James, Cephas (Peter), and John. See Gal 2:9.

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