2 Corinthians 12 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

The Vision of Paradise

Paul’s Love for the Church

2Co 12:1It is doubtless[fn] not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:

2Co 12:2I 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.

2Co 12:3

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

2Co 12:4

2Co 12:4how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2Co 12:5

2Co 12:5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.

2Co 12:6

2Co 12:6For 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.

The Thorn in the Flesh

2Co 12:7

2Co 12:7And 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.

2Co 12:8

2Co 12:8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

2Co 12:9

2Co 12:9And 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.

2Co 12:10

2Co 12:10Therefore 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.

Signs of an Apostle

2Co 12:11

2Co 12:11I have become a fool in boasting;[fn] you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.

2Co 12:12

2Co 12:12Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

2Co 12:13

2Co 12:13For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

2Co 12:14

2Co 12:14Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

2Co 12:15

2Co 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

2Co 12:16

2Co 12:16But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!

2Co 12:17

2Co 12:17Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?

2Co 12:18

2Co 12:18I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

2Co 12:19

2Co 12:19Again, do you think[fn] that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

2Co 12:20

2Co 12:20For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

2Co 12:21

2Co 12:21lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

See the NKJV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NKJV Footnotes

(12:1)

NU-Text reads necessary, though not profitable, to boast.

(12:11)

NU-Text omits in boasting.

(12:19)

NU-Text reads You have been thinking for a long time. . . .

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