2 Corinthians 12
12
Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
1 It is necessary to go on boasting.#tn Grk “Boasting is necessary.” Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) 4 was caught up into paradise#sn In the NT, paradise is mentioned three times. In Luke 23:43 it refers to the abode of the righteous dead. In Rev 2:7 it refers to the restoration of Edenic paradise predicted in Isa 51:3 and Ezek 36:35. The reference here in 2 Cor 12:4 is probably to be translated as parallel to the mention of the “third heaven” in v. 2. Assuming that the “first heaven” would be atmospheric heaven (the sky) and “second heaven” the more distant stars and planets, “third heaven” would refer to the place where God dwells. This is much more likely than some variation on the seven heavens mentioned in the pseudepigraphic book 2 Enoch and in other nonbiblical and rabbinic works. and heard things too sacred to be put into words,#tn Or “things that cannot be put into words.” things that a person#tn Grk “a man.” is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling#tn Or “speaking.” the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard#tn Or “may think of.” me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, 7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore,#tc Most mss (Ì46 D Ψ 1881 Ï) lack διό (dio, “Therefore”), but the widespread distribution and quality of mss which include it (א A B F G 0243 33 81 1175 1739 pc) argues for its authenticity. Internally, its case is equally strong in that its inclusion is grammatically rough (διό is hardly necessary to convey purpose, especially since Paul uses ἵνα [{ina, “so that”] next). so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble#tn Or “to harass.” me – so that I would not become arrogant.#tn The phrase “so that I might not become arrogant” is repeated here because it occurs in the Greek text two times in the verse. Although redundant, it is repeated because of the emphatic nature of its affirmation. 8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But#tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” because of the contrast implicit in the context. he said to me, “My grace is enough#tn Or “is sufficient.” for you, for my#tc The majority of later mss (א2 Ac D1 Ψ 0243 0278 33 1739 1881 Ï) as well as some versional witnesses include the pronoun “my” here, but the omission of the pronoun has excellent external support (Ì46vid א* A* B D* F G latt). Scribes probably added the pronoun for clarity, making the obvious referent explicit. This would also make “power” more parallel with “my grace.” Though the original text probably did not include “my,” scribes who added the word were following the sense of Paul’s statement.tn The pronoun “my” was supplied in the translation to clarify the sense of Paul’s expression. power is made perfect#tn Or “my power comes to full strength.” in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly#tn “Most gladly,” a comparative form used with superlative meaning and translated as such. about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in#tn Or “may rest on.” me. 10 Therefore I am content with#tn Or “I take delight in.” weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties#tn Or “calamities.” for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
The Signs of an Apostle
11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison#tn Or “I am in no way inferior.” to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12 Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance#tn Or “patience,” “endurance.” by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.#tn Or “and miracles.” 13 For how#tn Grk “For in what respect.” were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice! 14 Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have#tn Grk “children ought not,” but this might give the impression that children are not supposed to support sick or aging parents in need of help. That is not what Paul is saying. His point is that children should not have to pay their parent’s way. to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives!#tn Grk “souls.” If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit! 17 I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?#tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer, indicated by the ‘tag’ question “have I?” at the end of the clause. The question is rhetorical. 18 I urged Titus to visit you#tn The words “to visit you” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, and must be supplied for the modern reader. and I sent our#tn Grk “the.” brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he?#tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative answer, indicated by the ‘tag’ question “did he?” at the end of the clause. Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?#tn Grk “[Did we not walk] in the same tracks?” This is an idiom that means to imitate someone else or to behave as they do. Paul’s point is that he and Titus have conducted themselves in the same way toward the Corinthians. If Titus did not take advantage of the Corinthians, then neither did Paul. 19 Have you been thinking all this time#tc The reading “all this time” (πάλαι, palai) is found in several early and important Alexandrian and Western witnesses including א* A B F G 0243 6 33 81 365 1175 1739 1881 lat; the reading πάλιν (palin, “again”) is read by א2 D Ψ 0278 Ï sy bo; the reading οὐ πάλαι (ou palai) is read by Ì46, making the question even more emphatic. The reading of Ì46 could only have arisen from πάλαι. The reading πάλιν is significantly easier (“are you once again thinking that we are defending ourselves?”), for it softens Paul’s tone considerably. It thus seems to be a motivated reading and cannot easily explain the rise of πάλαι. Further, πάλαι has considerable support in the Alexandrian and Western witnesses, rendering it virtually certain as the original wording here. that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.#tn Or “for your strengthening”; Grk “for your edification.” 20 For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me#tn Grk “and I will be found by you.” The passive construction has been converted to an active one in the translation. not what you wish. I am afraid that#tn The words “I am afraid that” are not repeated in the Greek text, but are needed for clarity. somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition,#tn Or “intense anger, hostility.” slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21 I am afraid that#tn The words “I am afraid that” are not repeated in the Greek text from v. 20, but are needed for clarity. when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for#tn Or “I will mourn over.” many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.
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2 Corinthians 12
12
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
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 and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is 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, 7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given 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.” 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.
Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians
11I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”#12:11 Or the most eminent apostles even though I am nothing. 12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
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