Thematic Bible
2 Corinthians 12:1 (show verse)
Although I must boast about myself [See 11:21-27], it [really] is not profitable. So, I will go on to [tell about] visions and [inspired] revelations given [to me] from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:2 (show verse)
I know a man in [fellowship with] Christ who, fourteen years ago, was taken [literally, "snatched"] up to the third heaven. [Note: The first heaven would be where birds fly; the second where the stars are; and the third where God is]. (I do not know whether he was in his physical body or whether it was an "out-of-the-body" experience, but God knows). [Note: Paul is obviously telling about a personal experience. See verse 7].
Heaven » Is called » Paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Union with Christ » Described as » Our being in Christ
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Union with Christ » Described as » Our being in Christ
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
2 Corinthians 12:3 (show verse)
I know that this man --- whether in his body or out of it, I do not know, but God does ---
2 Corinthians 12:4 (show verse)
was [actually] taken up into Paradise. [Note: This is the same as the "third heaven" of the previous verse, and was a place in the presence of God. See Luke 23:43; Rev. 2:7]. There he heard inexpressible words which are not permitted for people to repeat.
Heaven » Is called » Paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Parables » Of Christ found in one gospel only, (chapter specified) » The barren fig tree, luke 13
Paradise » The place of glorified spirits
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
Words » Unspeakable, heard by paul in paradise
Heaven » The future dwelling place of the righteous » Paradise
Heaven/the heavens » Paul’s vision of paradise
Parables » Of Christ found in one gospel only, (chapter specified) » The barren fig tree, luke 13
Paradise » The place of glorified spirits
Paul » The man of vision » The vision of paradise
Paul » Caught up to the third heaven
Vision » Of paul » Of paradise
Words » Unspeakable, heard by paul in paradise
2 Corinthians 12:5 (show verse)
I will boast on behalf of this person, but I will not boast about myself [anymore], except about my weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 12:6 (show verse)
However, if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will hold back, so that no one will think more of me than what he sees or hears from me.
2 Corinthians 12:7 (show verse)
But, so that I would not become too conceited over the tremendous revelations [I received], a "thorn in the flesh" was given to me as a messenger from Satan to torment me. [Note: This "thorn" was probably some physical handicap, possibly defective eyesight. See Gal. 4:14-15; 6:11].
Adversary » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Afflictions » Life tested by the lord » Of ministers and prophets
Afflictions » Of ministers and prophets
Messenger » Figurative » Of satan
Ministers » Support of » Afflictions of
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Paul's » Voyage to rome - with luke, aristarchus, and others ac 27-28 » Thorn
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Instigating men to sin
Satan's » Work » Instigating men to sin
Serpent » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Temptation » Exemplified
Tempter » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Thorn » Figurative » Of afflictions
Trials » Of ministers and prophets
War » Figurative » Is against » The flesh
Warfare of saints » Is against » The flesh
satan's Work » Instigating men to sin
Afflictions » Life tested by the lord » Of ministers and prophets
Afflictions » Of ministers and prophets
Messenger » Figurative » Of satan
Ministers » Support of » Afflictions of
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Paul's » Voyage to rome - with luke, aristarchus, and others ac 27-28 » Thorn
Satan » Vanquished promises of ultimate triumph » Instigating men to sin
Satan's » Work » Instigating men to sin
Serpent » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Temptation » Exemplified
Tempter » Power of » Instigating men to sin
Thorn » Figurative » Of afflictions
Trials » Of ministers and prophets
War » Figurative » Is against » The flesh
Warfare of saints » Is against » The flesh
satan's Work » Instigating men to sin
2 Corinthians 12:8 (show verse)
I pled with the Lord about this matter three times, that He would remove this problem from me.
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As the object of divine worship
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Prayer » Causes of failure in » Sometimes refused because not in accord with the divine will
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Prayer » Causes of failure in » Sometimes refused because not in accord with the divine will
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
2 Corinthians 12:9 (show verse)
But God said to me, "My unearned favor is enough for you, for my power is made complete in [your] weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast, so that the power of Christ can rest on me.
Afflictions » Promises concerning » Sufficiency of divine grace
Christ » Grace of » Sufficient for all human needs
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As the object of divine worship
Consolation under Affliction » To the tempted
Divine Promises » Sufficiency of divine grace
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
God » Promises of characteristics of » Sufficiency of divine grace
God's Promises » To the afflicted » Sufficiency of divine grace
Grace » Of Christ » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Christ's » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Described as » All-sufficient
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Power » Of Christ » Rests upon saints
The power of Christ » Rests upon saints
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Protection » Of God, is » Effectual
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
War » Figurative » Armor for » Through Christ
War » Figurative » Strengthened by Christ in
Warfare of saints » Victory in, is » Through Christ
Warfare of saints » Saints » Strengthened by Christ in
Christ » Grace of » Sufficient for all human needs
Jesus Christ, Deity Of » As the object of divine worship
Consolation under Affliction » To the tempted
Divine Promises » Sufficiency of divine grace
Earnest suppliants » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
God » Promises of characteristics of » Sufficiency of divine grace
God's Promises » To the afflicted » Sufficiency of divine grace
Grace » Of Christ » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Christ's » Sufficient for all human needs
Grace » Described as » All-sufficient
Paul » Has "a thorn in the flesh,"
Power » Of Christ » Rests upon saints
The power of Christ » Rests upon saints
Prayer » Seven earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Prayer » Paul asked that the "thorn in the flesh" be removed; the answer was a promise of grace to endure it
Prayer, answers to » Granted » Sometimes differently from our desire
Protection » Of God, is » Effectual
Seven » Earnest suppliants » The cry for deliverance (paul)
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
War » Figurative » Armor for » Through Christ
War » Figurative » Strengthened by Christ in
Warfare of saints » Victory in, is » Through Christ
Warfare of saints » Saints » Strengthened by Christ in
2 Corinthians 12:10 (show verse)
So, I am pleased to [endure] weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties, [all] for Christ's sake. For when I am weak [physically], then I am strong [spiritually].
Christ » Sake, for his » death
For Christ's sake » death
Happiness of saints in this life » Is derived from » Suffering for Christ
for Jesus' sake » death
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » May take pleasure in
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » Supported under
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
Suffering for Christ's sake » Some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
Suffering for righteousness' sake » For Christ's sake some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
For Christ's sake » death
Happiness of saints in this life » Is derived from » Suffering for Christ
for Jesus' sake » death
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » May take pleasure in
Reviling and reproaching » Saints » Supported under
Strength » In weakness, promised
Strength » Who is strong
Strength » The strength of the lord
Suffering for Christ's sake » Some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
Suffering for righteousness' sake » For Christ's sake some trials believers may be called upon to endure » death
2 Corinthians 12:11 (show verse)
I have become foolish [i.e., by my boasting], but you made me do it [i.e., in order to vindicate myself]. For I should have been commended by you [i.e., for my effective ministry there in Corinth], because I was not inferior in any way to those "super apostles" [See 11:5], even though I am nothing.
No Themes for this verse.
2 Corinthians 12:12 (show verse)
Truly, I endured [opposition] patiently, while showing evidence of being an apostle among you. I performed [supernatural] signs, and wonders and powerful miracles.
2 Corinthians 12:13 (show verse)
For in what way were you people inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it was that I was not a [financial] burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong.
No Themes for this verse.
2 Corinthians 12:14 (show verse)
Now, this is the third time I have been ready to come to you, and I will not be a [financial] burden to you. For I do not want your possessions but you yourselves, because children should not [have to] save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
Children » Parents, duty to » To provide for
Corinth » Visited » By paul
Duty » Parents » To provide for
Fathers » Duties of » To provide for
Home » special duties of parents » To provide for
Ministers » Should be » Disinterested
Parents » Their duty to their children is » To provide for them
Parents » Duty » To provide for
Social duties » Parental parental duties » To provide for
Corinth » Visited » By paul
Duty » Parents » To provide for
Fathers » Duties of » To provide for
Home » special duties of parents » To provide for
Ministers » Should be » Disinterested
Parents » Their duty to their children is » To provide for them
Parents » Duty » To provide for
Social duties » Parental parental duties » To provide for
2 Corinthians 12:15 (show verse)
So, I will most gladly spend [all I have], and [even] spend myself for the sake of your souls. If I love you so much, should you love me less [than that]?
2 Corinthians 12:16 (show verse)
So, let it be [said] that I did not become a burden to you. But being a clever person, [some are saying] that I took you in by trickery. [Note: Paul is saying that even though he took no financial support from the church, they are accusing him of taking financial advantage of them through other people].
2 Corinthians 12:17 (show verse)
Did I take [financial] advantage of you by any of those men I sent to you?
2 Corinthians 12:18 (show verse)
I urged Titus [i.e., to go to you to arrange for the special offering. See 8:6], and I sent the brother with him. [See 8:18]. Did Titus take any [financial] advantage of you? Do we not [both] have the same attitude [in this matter]? Do we not [both] follow the same procedures?
2 Corinthians 12:19 (show verse)
You have been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves [have you not]? We are [simply] speaking [the truth] before God in [fellowship with] Christ. But everything [we are doing], dear friends, is to build you up [spiritually].
2 Corinthians 12:20 (show verse)
For I am afraid that somehow, when I come [to you], I might not find you the way I want you to be, and you might not find me the way you want me to be. I am afraid there might be quarrelling, jealousy, angry outbursts, factious spirits, slander, gossip, arrogance and [other] disturbances [there].
Backsliders » Instances of » Corinthian Christians
Care » Paul's care of the church
Church » For other leaders » Paul's care for
Church » Care of » Paul's care of
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » Strife in
Church » Dissensions in
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Backbiting
Evil » Whispering » Evil whispering, general references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Evil whispering, general references to
Ministers » Call of, examples of » Care for the church
Paul's » Care for the church
Slander » Includes » Whispering
Slander » Includes » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Whispering, evil, general references to
Strife » Causes of » In the church
Strife » Shameful in saints
Whisperer » A slanderer
Care » Paul's care of the church
Church » For other leaders » Paul's care for
Church » Care of » Paul's care of
Church » Similitudes of the church compared to » Strife in
Church » Dissensions in
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Backbiting
Evil » Whispering » Evil whispering, general references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Evil whispering, general references to
Ministers » Call of, examples of » Care for the church
Paul's » Care for the church
Slander » Includes » Whispering
Slander » Includes » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Backbiting
Speaking, evil » Whispering, evil, general references to
Strife » Causes of » In the church
Strife » Shameful in saints
Whisperer » A slanderer
2 Corinthians 12:21 (show verse)
I am afraid that, when I come, my God will humiliate me in front of you, and I will be grieved over many [of those] who have sinned in the past without repenting of the [moral] impurity, sexual immorality and unrestrained indecency they have practiced.