2Cor. 12 and verse 1 reads.
2Cor.12:1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul knows that it is given when it is the Lord will.
2Cor.12:2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
A lot said here, let’s begin with Paul is talking about himself in the third person. Whether in the body or out of the body he didn’t know. This I’m sure happened when he was stoned. 2Cor.11:25 (last chapter) he spoke about this, but we find it in Acts 14:19. And it reads.
Acts 14:19] And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
These were no doubt Kenites that claimed to be of Judah, but do lie and are of the synagogue of Satan. Rev.2:9-10.
Acts 14:20] Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
When “He rose up” he was put back into his flesh, meaning he had departed or died. Also, in verse 2 it is mentioned the he went to the third heaven. Now the third heaven isn’t a place that is now, but future. Paul was taken even further into the future than John in Revelations. Back to 2Cor.12 and verse 3 continues.
2Cor.12;3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
Again, he’s talking about himself in the third person.
2Cor.12:4] How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
There must be a law in effect that it is not lawful for those who know the future of the third heaven age to talk about that time line to the people of the flesh.
2Cor.12:5] Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
[6] For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
We are to Glory God and never ourselves because we will never be good enough. Remember it was pride that took Satan down.
2Cor.12:7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Worried that pride would take him also, or as an example for us. Now what is this thorn in his side? Paul needed a scribe to write for him, not because he wasn’t educated, but because he couldn’t see. Rather he couldn’t see very well or that he was still blind from the road to Damascus is still debatable.
2Cor.12:8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
I believe this just said he was still blind. You might ask me “but what about him receiving his sight while in Damascus?” then I would say he received his spiritual eyes. Because he just said that he prayed thrice for it to depart from him, but his answer was “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”, and still Paul would rather glory in his infirmities.
2Cor.12:10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
When we suffer persecutions and other distresses for Christ shows the power of Christ and not ours, it is Christ that makes us strong.
2Cor.12:11] I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
Paul may have just realized recently he was a chosen vessel of the Lord. 14 years earlier when he was stoned and went to the third heaven age. Apostle means “Sent One”.
2Cor.12:12] Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
[13] For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
They saw what happened, blessed are those that teach the truth.
2Cor.12:14] Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
How true this is, all parents understand this but, our children don’t until they themselves are parents. The same with a teacher Paul is saying.
2Cor.12:15] And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Discipline is harder for him that gives it than he that receives it.
2Cor.12:16] But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
Caught a false teacher in the midst.
2Cor.12:17] Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
[18] I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
Neither Paul or Titus took anything from them. But rather they gave of themselves to them, speaking of the church of Corinth.
2Cor.12:19] Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
This Paul did for them, he built them up in Christ.
2Cor.12:20] For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
[21] And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
We didn’t teach you falsely, the false teachers you had there did. See how much turmoil a false teacher brings with him into the church. Remember this began with a letter from them that we aren’t privy to. Though it might have been incest among some in the church. Paul loved them and they did except the teachings of Paul after this letter from him. We should do the same, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible