2 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 12 STUDY GUIDE

2 Corinthians Chapter 12

Verses 1-5
“What An Amazing Trip That Was!”

[2-4-18]

Review: “You Brag About What You Want To Brag About; I’ll Brag About What I Want To Brag About! ”

2 Corinthians 11:29-33) [NLT] Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
See our 2 Corinthians Chapter 11 Study Guide

NOTE: “I hurt along with my spiritual children when they are suffering persecution; and when false teachers are sowing the seeds of error among them I burn with anger towards those teachers!”

30) [GNB] If I must boast, I will boast about things that show how weak I am.

NOTE: Paul is bragging about those things that demonstrate how weak he is.

QUESTION: What are things that Paul, who hates to brag, bragged about?

• He bragged about his refusal to take offerings from the Corinthian believers [vs. 7-10].
• He bragged about having the same ties to the Hebrew nation of Israel and to being of the “seed of Abraham” as the false teachers had [vs. 22].
• He bragged about the things he physically suffered in persecutions he faced for his preaching [vs. 23-27].
• He bragged about his anxiety when he thought of the churched he had started [28-29].

31) The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

“Paul was accustomed to make solemn appeals to God for the truth of what he said, especially when it was likely to be called in question; see 2Cor. 11:10; compare Rom. 9:1” [Barnes].

NOTE: We have people today who will tell us something and then say, “Swear to God!” Oftentimes those people are lying through their teeth. Paul wasn’t! Paul’s attitude was that if an individual invoked God as a witness they had better be telling the truth. Listen, if we say “Swear to God!” when we’re lying then we are taking the name of the Lord in vain!

32) [GNB] When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas placed guards at the city gates to arrest me.

33) [NLT] But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall, and that’s how I got away!

NOTE: Paul returns to his boasting about how weak he was! He was so weak and pathetic, he puts on, that he had to climb into a basket to be let down the outside of the wall in order to escape with his life.

QUESTION: What doesn’t Paul brag about?

• He doesn’t brag about how the Jerusalem apostles took Paul’s side and defended his gospel [Acts 15].
• He doesn’t brag about the miracles God did through him.
• He doesn’t brag about all the churches he started.

This Week: “What An Amazing Trip That Was! ”

2 Corinthians 12:1-5) [KJV] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

(NLT) This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord.

“visions” – “2) a sight, a vision, an appearance presented to one whether asleep or awake [Thayer].

“revelations” – “1) laying bear, making naked; 2) a disclosure of truth, instruction; 2a) concerning things before unknown; 2b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all” [Thayer].

*NOTE: Paul continues to “brag;” but he now changes the subject about what he is going to brag about. He is now going to brag about things that others would want to brag about if they had had these experiences. He is about to “brag” about the amazing revelations God had given him, and the manner God had used!

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.

(GNB) I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows).

(GW) I know a follower of Christ who was snatched away to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

3) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

NOTE: Paul re-emphasizes that he didn’t know if God actually took him to Heaven bodily or if he had witnessed this amazing event in a vision.

“Paul is using terminology common in that day, which referred to the ‘blue sky’ as the first heaven, the ‘starry sky’ as the second heaven, and the third heaven as the place where God lived and reigned” [Guzik].

QUESTION: What do learn in vs. 2-3?

ANSWER: Regardless of the fact that Paul might never have left earth bodily, but rather had a vision about Heaven, he is showing us, through his words, that the experience was so real that he could have very well been in Heaven physically.

4) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Regarding “heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter,”

(GNB) he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak.

(BBE) words came to his ears which may not be said, and which man is not able to say.

(CEV) he heard things that are too wonderful to tell.

(ERV) he heard things that he is not able to explain. He heard things that no one is allowed to tell.

(GW) he heard things that can’t be expressed in words, things that humans cannot put into words.

(AMP) utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter.

(YLT) heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

QUESTION: Where is Paradise?

Luke 23:43) [KJV] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke 16:22) [KJV] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Revelation 2:7) [KJV] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

2 Corinthians 12:4) [KJV] 2Co_12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

• In Luke it appears to refer to the place where O.T. saints and N.T. saints prior to the resurrection of Jesus went to await that resurrection so they could then be allowed into Heaven.
• In Revelation it could be referring to Heaven itself, or to the Paradise of Genesis that is now in Heaven.
• In our Corinthian passage it certainly appears to be referring to the 3^rd Heaven that Paul was caught up into.

QUESTION: What might an acquaintance of yours say upon his returning from a vacation in Hawaii?

ANSWER: He might say, “Hawaii is Paradise!” Everything about it is amazing! The pineapple is almost as good as Hy-Vee’s pineapple.

**NOTE: Paul actually took a trip to the real Paradise; and he did so to visit with God Almighty!! What An Amazing Trip That Was!!

QUESTION: Why did Paul write that it was “not lawful for a man to utter” the “unspeakable words” he heard?

It “was to encourage him in the difficult and dangerous work in which he was engaged. Accordingly, by taking him up into paradise, and showing him the glories of the invisible world, and making him a witness of the happiness which the righteous enjoy with Christ, even before their resurrection, his faith in the promises of the gospel must have been so exceedingly strengthened, and his hope so raised, as to enable him to bear with alacrity that heavy load of complicated evils to which he was exposed in the course of his ministry” [Benson].

***ANSWER: In vs. 8-9 of the Chapter Paul mentions that the weight of his persecutions were so severe that He sought God 3 times to deliver him from these things. God told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Perhaps this truth was revealed to Him in Paradise by hearing words spoken to him that he didn’t understand because he didn’t know the language; but he did understand because he “felt” the meaning. Is that what happened? As Paul said earlier, “God knows!”

5) Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

(ERV) I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself. I will boast only about my weaknesses.

NOTE: Paul says here that he would boast about himself, but he will not boast about himself except in the area of his sufferings. Does that tie what he heard in Paradise to his sufferings? Again, God knows!

2 CORINTHIANS Chapter 12

Verses 6-9
“A Thorn In the Flesh!”

[2-11-18]

Review: “What An Amazing Trip That Was! ”

2 Corinthians 12:1-5) [NLT] This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord.

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.

(GW) I know a follower of Christ who was snatched away to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

3) And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

NOTE: Paul emphasizes that he didn’t know if God actually took him to Heaven bodily or if he had witnessed this amazing event in a vision.

“Paul is using terminology common in that day, which referred to the ‘blue sky’ as the first heaven, the ‘starry sky’ as the second heaven, and the third heaven as the place where God lived and reigned” [Guzik].

NOTE: Regardless of the fact that Paul might never have left earth bodily, but rather had a vision about Heaven, he is showing us, through his words, that the experience was so real that he could have very well been in Heaven physically.

4) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

(GW) he heard things that can’t be expressed in words, things that humans cannot put into words.

**NOTE: Paul actually took a trip to the real Paradise; and he did so to visit with God Almighty!! What An Amazing Trip That Was!!

***NOTE: In vs. 8-9 of the Chapter Paul mentions that the weight of his persecutions was so severe that He sought God 3 times to deliver him from these things. God told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Perhaps this truth was revealed to Him in Paradise by hearing words spoken to him that he didn’t understand because he didn’t know the language; but he did understand because he “felt” the meaning. Is that what happened? As Paul said earlier, “God knows!”

5) [ERV] I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself. I will boast only about my weaknesses.

NOTE: Paul says here, in essence, that he could boast about how God took him to Heaven and showed him some amazing things, but he chooses not to boast about himself except in the area of his sufferings. Does that tie what he heard in Paradise to his sufferings? Again, God knows!

This Week: “A Thorn In the Flesh! ”

2 Corinthians 12:6-9) [KJV] 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.

(TEV) If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want anyone to have a higher opinion of me than he has as a result of what he has seen me do and heard me say.

QUESTION: What’s absolutely amazing about this verse?

ANSWER: Paul is saying that he has a lot to brag about but refuses to do so because he wants people to form their opinions about him as a result of what he says and does; in other words, his actions.

QUESTION: Why is that important?

ANSWER: Christians might have all kinds of gifting; some sing well; some teach well; some are charismatic; some are beautiful or handsome; and some are all, or most of these things. But what really matters the most is how they live their lives.

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.

(ERV) But I must not be too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So a painful problem was given to me—an angel from Satan, sent to make me suffer, so that I would not think that I am better than anyone else.

QUESTION: What is this “thorn in the flesh”?

“Opinions are divided, generally, between mental or spiritual and bodily trials. Under the former head are sensual desires, faint-heartedness, doubts, temptations to despair, and blasphemous suggestions from the devil. Under the latter, persecution, mean personal appearance, headache, epilepsy, earache, stone, ophthalmia. It was probably a bodily malady, in the flesh; but its nature must remain a matter of conjecture. [Vincent].

“Certainly it was some physical malady that persisted. All sorts of theories are held (malaria, eye-trouble, epilepsy, insomnia, migraine or sick-headache, etc.). It is a blessing to the rest of us that we do not know the particular affliction that so beset Paul. Each of us has some such splinter or thorn in the flesh, perhaps several at once” [Robertson].

“In the time of the Saviour malignant spirits are known to have taken possession of the body in numerous cases, and to have produced painful bodily diseases, and Paul here says that Satan was permitted to bring this calamity on him” [Barnes].

Some “saying it was the choleic, others the gout, others a pain in the ear, and others the headache; which latter it is said he was much troubled with; but these are mere conjectures: others think that the corruptions of nature are intended which in regenerate persons are left, as the Canaanites were in the land, to be “thorns” in the eyes and sides of the Israelites” [Gill].

“He means sinful lust, that sticks fast in us as it were a thorn, to such a degree that it forced Paul himself who was regenerated to cry out, ‘I do not that good that I would’” [Geneva].

**ANSWER: God revealed to Paul amazing truths that no one had known until then. Spiritual pride would have been a natural reaction to his receiving such a gift from God. But, God would have none of that! So he allowed the devil to place “a thorn in the flesh” into Paul’s life to keep him humble. For commentators to suggest that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was simply something that humans throughout history have endured; that being physical or emotional or spiritual difficulties, is to me absurd!

1 John 5:18) [KJV] We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

(NLT) We know that those who have become part of God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.

QUESTION: Everywhere Paul preached he faced persecution; yet John tells us that the devil can’t touch us! Then how did the persecution happen?

ANSWER: The devil can’t touch us, but he can certainly stir up others to “touch” us! That’s what constantly happened to Paul!

NOTE: I am convinced that the devil assigned a extremely powerful demon to follow Paul around and stir up the unbelievers to inflict great bodily harm on Paul! I am convinced Paul discerned this and asked three different times that God would trump the devil and not allow that demon to continue to follow him around! I’m also certain that the devil constantly had his demons tempting Paul to sin, throwing thoughts of doubt at him and inflicting him with various illnesses; but he does all of those things to every believer. Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was unique to him!

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.

(TEV) But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me.

QUESTION: What was Paul’s response to this “thorn in the flesh”?

ANSWER: He asked God three different times to deliver him from this Satanic assault on him.

QUESTION: What was God’s response to Paul?

ANSWER: In essence God told Paul that He wasn’t going to stop the devil’s demon from being allowed to follow Paul around and cause him constant trouble. He told Paul that when these troubles caused physical and emotional weakness in him that He would reveal Himself through Paul’s life with great power!

NOTE: Was this interaction between Paul and God taking place in Paradise? I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire conversation took place up there, or at least, from the third request to the end of the discussion. I don’t know; I’m guessing! “God knows!”

2 CORINTHIANS Chapter 12

Verses 10-14
“The Proof Of Paul’s Apostleship!”

[2-18-18]

Review: “A Thorn In the Flesh! ”

2 Corinthians 12:6-9) [TEV] If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want anyone to have a higher opinion of me than he has as a result of what he has seen me do and heard me say.

NOTE: Paul is saying that he has a lot to brag about but refuses to do so because he wants people to form their opinions about him as a result of what he says and does; in other words, his actions.

7) [KJV] 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.

“Opinions are divided, generally, between mental or spiritual and bodily trials. Under the former head are sensual desires, faint-heartedness, doubts, temptations to despair, and blasphemous suggestions from the devil. Under the latter, persecution, mean personal appearance, headache, epilepsy, earache, stone, ophthalmia. It was probably a bodily malady, in the flesh; but its nature must remain a matter of conjecture. [Vincent].

“Certainly it was some physical malady that persisted. Each of us has some such splinter or thorn in the flesh, perhaps several at once” [Robertson].

“others think that the corruptions of nature are intended which in regenerate persons are left” [Gill].

“He means sinful lust, that sticks fast in us as it were a thorn, to such a degree that it forced Paul himself who was regenerated to cry out, ‘I do not that good that I would’” [Geneva].

**ANSWER: For commentators to suggest that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was simply something that humans throughout history have endured; that being physical or emotional or spiritual difficulties, is to me absurd!

1 John 5:18) [NLT] We know that those who have become part of God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.

NOTE: I am convinced that the devil assigned a extremely powerful demon to follow Paul around and stir up the unbelievers to inflict great bodily harm on Paul!

8) [KJV] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9) [TEV] But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me.

NOTE: God told Paul that He wasn’t going to stop the devil’s demon from being allowed to follow Paul around and cause him constant trouble. He told Paul that when these troubles caused physical and emotional weakness in him that He would reveal Himself through Paul’s life with great power!

This Week: “The Proof of Paul’s Apostleship! ”

2 Corinthians 12:10-14) [KJV] 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.

(GNB) I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

QUESTION: What does the above vs. show us regarding what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was?

• Paul brags about his persecutions [2 Cor. 11:22-33].
• Paul talks about his visions and revelations [2 Cor. 12:1-5].
• Paul talks about how a “thorn in the flesh” was given him to keep him humble [2 Cor. 12:7-9].
• Paul then returns to talking about his persecutions [2 Cor. 12:10].

NOTE: Paul writes about all of the things he suffered as a result of his preaching the Gospel; then in that context, he writes about the abundance of revelations God entrusted him with; then in that context, he writes how God allows Satan to give him a “thorn in the flesh” as a necessary tool to keep him humble; and then in that context he returns to thanking God for all his trials and persecutions.

*CONCLUSION: Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is a demon from hell sent to follow him from town to town to stir up trouble for him to try to discourage him from obeying the Lord in his persistence in preaching the Gospel.

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.

(GNB) I am acting like a fool—but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special “apostles” of yours.

QUESTION: What is Paul telling his readers?

ANSWER: He was only bragging about his persecutions because the Christians at Corinth weren’t verbally commending him. He insists that even if they deem Paul to be “nothing” he is in no way inferior to those false apostles that were causing all the trouble there.

12) Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

(NLT) When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.

QUESTION: Has Paul suddenly turned to the tactic of actually bragging about how great he is? Is he claiming that all of the miracles performed by him prove that he is truly a great person?

ANSWER: No! Paul is doing here what he always did; he is defending his Gospel!

• He defended his Gospel to the Galatian believers [Gal. 1:6-9].
• He did it when he visited the Jerusalem apostles [Gal. 2:1-10].
• He did it at the Jerusalem Council [Acts 15:1-35].
• He is now defending his Gospel to the Corinthian believers [2 Cor. 12:12].

QUESTION: What does Paul claim to be proof of the fact that he is truly an apostle?

• Paul performed “many signs and wonders” in Corinth [vs. 12 of our lesson above].
• Paul did “mighty signs and wonders while preaching the Gospel [Romans 15:19].
• Paul strikes a sorcerer blind [Acts 13:8-12].
• Paul heals the lame man at Lystra [Acts 14:8-10].
• Paul was seemingly raised from the dead at Lystra [Acts 14:19-20].
• Paul casts a devil out of a female fortune teller [Acts 16:16-18].
• Paul is supernaturally delivered from prison [Acts 16:25-28].
• Cloths taken from Paul’s body healed many who were sick and delivered many who were possessed [Acts 19:11-12].
• Paul raised Eutychus from the dead [Acts 20:7-12].

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.

(GNB) How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!

QUESTION: What does Paul ask forgiveness from his readers for?

ANSWER: He asked them to forgive them for not allowing them to help him financially.

NOTE: Paul isn’t so much asking their forgiveness as he is mocking the arguments of those among them who insisted that Paul would have received offerings from them if he thought his message was worthwhile.

“i. Trapp calls this ‘A pleasant irony, such as whereof this Epistle is full.’

1. ‘It is the privilege of the Churches of Christ to support the ministry of his Gospel among them. Those who do not contribute their part to the support of the gospel ministry either care nothing for it, or derive no good from it.’ (Clarke)” [Guzik].

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.

QUESTION: Acts only records one visit to Corinth; had Paul really been there twice?

ANSWER: Some commentators say yes [Guzik; UBS; JFB; PNT; Ellicott; MacLaren; Meyer], while others suggest that this verse means this is the third time he has purposed to return to Corinth for a second visit but didn’t actually make it the first two times [Barnes; Cambridge; Gill; Clarke; Benson].

QUESTION: What does Paul say about his next trip to Corinth?

ANSWER: He will not receive any offerings from them once again.

QUESTION: What are the two reasons he gives to them why he won’t seek their financial help?

• He said he’s not coming for what they have; he’s coming for them.
• Parents should lay up for their children; the children should not lay up for them.

NOTE: The Bible doesn’t tell us why Paul would receive offerings from some churches but not from others. All we can do is speculate. I imagine the best guess is that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that some churches would interpret it wrong if he asked for their financial support. The only problem with that speculation is that one would imagine that as an apostle he would have taught them about giving to God.

2 CORINTHIANS Chapter 12

Verses 15-21
“Allowing the Word of God To Correct Us!”

[3-4-18]

Review: “The Proof of Paul’s Apostleship! ”

2 Corinthians 12:10-21) [GNB] I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

NOTE: Paul writes about all of the things he suffered as a result of his preaching the Gospel; then in that context, he writes about the abundance of revelations God entrusted him with; then in that context, he writes how God allows Satan to give him a “thorn in the flesh” as a necessary tool to keep him humble; and then in that context he returns to thanking God for all his trials and persecutions.

*CONCLUSION: Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is a demon from hell sent to follow him from town to town to stir up trouble for him to try to discourage him from obeying the Lord in his persistence in preaching the Gospel.

11) [GNB] I am acting like a fool—but you have made me do it. You are the ones who ought to show your approval of me. For even if I am nothing, I am in no way inferior to those very special “apostles” of yours.

12) [NLT] When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.

NOTE: Paul claims that “signs and wonders” he performed were a proof of the fact that he is truly an apostle?

• Paul strikes a sorcerer blind [Acts 13:8-12].
• Paul heals the lame man at Lystra [Acts 14:8-10].
• Paul casts a devil out of a female fortune teller [Acts 16:16-18].
• Cloths taken from Paul’s body healed many who were sick and delivered many who were possessed [Acts 19:11-12].
• Paul raised Eutychus from the dead [Acts 20:7-12].

13) [GNB] How were you treated any worse than the other churches, except that I did not bother you for financial help? Please forgive me for being so unfair!

NOTE: Paul isn’t so much asking their forgiveness as he is mocking the arguments of those among them who insisted that Paul would have received offerings from them if he thought his message was worthwhile.

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.

NOTE: The Bible doesn’t tell us why Paul would receive offerings from some churches but not from others. All we can do is speculate. I imagine the best guess is that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that some churches would interpret it wrong if he asked for their financial support.

This Week: “Allowing the Word of God To Correct Us! ”

2 Corinthians 12:15-21) [KJV] And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

(Murdock) And cheerfully will I both pay [my] expenses, and also give myself for your souls; although the more I love you, the less ye love me.

(GNB) I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you. Will you love me less because I love you so much?

QUESTION: What’s the common thread between vs. 13-14 (from last week’s lesson), and vs. 15 above?

• Paul mentions he didn’t receive financial help from the Corinthian believers when he was there [vs. 13].
• He then mentions that he won’t be receiving any financial help from them when he returns [vs. 14].
• He then mentions that he will spend his own money when he returns to Corinth [vs. 15].

QUESTION: What’s the odd statement or question (depending on the translation) Paul puts forth in vs. 15?

ANSWER: He wants to know if, or why they will love him less when he shows that he loves them more.

NOTE: Paul preached to them the only message on this planet that could get them to Heaven; and he preached it to them free of charge. They accepted the message but then false apostles had them questioning the gift giver.

16) But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

(NIV) Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!

(NLT) Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But they still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery.

QUESTION: What’s Paul telling his Corinthian readers in this verse?

“The enemies of Paul said that he was raising this big collection for himself” [Robertson].

“Their accusation probably went like this: ‘Sure Paul won’t take any support money from you. But he will trick you by taking the collection, supposedly for the Jerusalem Christians, and putting it in his own pocket.’” [Guzik].

ANSWER: He is telling his readers that he knows what the false apostles are telling them. He knows that they were accusing Paul of planning to keep the offering they received for the poor saints in Jerusalem for himself [chapters 8 & 9 of this epistle]. However, Paul, at the end of his first letter to them, instructed the church to approve someone of their choice to accompany Paul to Jerusalem with the offering [1 Cor. 16:1-4].

17) Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

(GNB) How? Did I take advantage of you through any of the messengers I sent?

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?

(ERV) I asked Titus to go to you, and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not cheat you, did he? No, you know that his actions and his attitude were the same as ours.

QUESTION: What is Paul pointing out in the above 2 verses?

ANSWER: Not only did he not receive any financial help from them, neither did Titus.

QUESTION: What point is he wanting to drive home to his Corinthian readers?

ANSWER: Our entire ministry team thinks and behaves the same way towards you.

NOTE: For whatever reason Paul refused to receive offerings from the church at Corinth he had convinced his entire team that this strategy was the will of the Lord.

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.

(NLT) Perhaps you think we are saying all this just to defend ourselves. That isn’t it at all. We tell you this as Christ’s servants, and we know that God is listening. Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit.

QUESTION: What 3 things does Paul want his readers to understand?

• Paul and his team were not writing these things to defend their actions.
• He was writing these things as a servant of Christ; in other words, he was writing God’s very Word to them.
• He was writing these things to them for their own benefit/edification. They needed to understand what Paul was telling them for their own spiritual benefit.

QUESTION: What can you and I learn from this?

ANSWER: Whether we like what the Bible tells us or not, it tells us what it tells us for our benefit!

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:

(NLT) For I am afraid that when I come to visit you I won’t like what I find, and then you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly behavior.

Galatians 5:19-21) [NLT] When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,

20) idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group,

21) envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

QUESTION: What concerns does Paul have concerning his return visit to Corinth?

• He is concerned he will find them living in the realm of/controlled by their sinful nature.
• He is concerned that if that happens then the Corinthian believers won’t like his response to them.

21) (NIV) I 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.

QUESTION: Why would Paul “grieve” for the Corinthian believers who have embraced sin?

ANSWER: He would be sad that they had embraced sin and that he would be forced to confront them!

QUESTION: What should we do when the Word of God rebukes us for our conduct?

ANSWER: We should repent and bring ourselves in line with His Word!