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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12 verses 1–10
Here we may observe,
I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1. Of the honour itself which was done to the apostle: he was caught up into the third heaven, Co2 12:2. When this was we cannot say, whether it was during those three days that he lay without sight at his conversion or at some other time afterwards, much less can we pretend to say how this was, whether by a separation of his soul from his body or by an extraordinary transport in the depth of contemplation. It would be presumption for us to determine, if not also to enquire into, this matter, seeing the apostle himself says, Whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell. It was certainly a very extraordinary honour done him: in some sense he was caught up into the third heaven, the heaven of the blessed, above the aerial heaven, in which the fowls fly, above the starry heaven, which is adorned with those glorious orbs: it was into the third heaven, where God most eminently manifests his glory. We are not capable of knowing all, nor is it fit we should know very much, of the particulars of that glorious place and state; it is our duty and interest to give diligence to make sure to ourselves a mansion there; and, if that be cleared up to us, then we should long to be removed thither, to abide there for ever. This third heaven is called paradise (Co2 12:4), in allusion to the earthly paradise out of which Adam was driven for his transgression; it is called the paradise of God (Rev 2:7), signifying to us that by Christ we are restored to all the joys and honours we lost by sin, yea, to much better. The apostle does not mention what he saw in the third heaven or paradise, but tells us that he heard unspeakable words, such as it is not possible for a man to utter - such are the sublimity of the matter and our unacquaintedness with the language of the upper world: nor was it lawful to utter those words, because, while we are here in this world, we have a more sure word of prophecy than such visions and revelations. Pe2 1:19. We read of the tongue of angels as well as men, and Paul knew as much of that as ever any man upon earth did, and yet preferred charity, that is, the sincere love of God and our neighbour. This account which the apostle gives us of his vision should check our curious desires after forbidden knowledge, and teach us to improve the revelation God has given us in his word. Paul himself, who had been in the third heaven, did not publish to the world what he had heard there, but adhered to the doctrine of Christ: on this foundation the church is built, and on this we must build our faith and hope. 2. The modest and humble manner in which the apostle mentions this matter is observable. One would be apt to think that one who had had such visions and revelations as these would have boasted greatly of them; but, says he, It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory, Co2 12:1. He therefore did not mention this immediately, nor till above fourteen years after, Co2 12:2. And then it is not without some reluctancy, as a thing which in a manner he was forced to by the necessity of the case. Again, he speaks of himself in the third person, and does not say, I am the man who was thus honoured above other men. Again, his humility appears by the check he seems to put upon himself (Co2 12:6), which plainly shows that he delighted not to dwell upon this theme. Thus was he, who was not behind the chief of the apostles in dignity, very eminent for his humility. Note, It is an excellent thing to have a lowly spirit in the midst of high advancements; and those who abase themselves shall be exalted.
II. The apostle gives an account of the methods God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure; and this he speaks of to balance the account that was given before of the visions and revelations he had had. Note, When God's people communicate their experiences, let them always remember to take notice of what God has done to keep them humble, as well as what he has done in favour to them and for their advancement. Here observe,
1.The apostle was pained with a thorn in the flesh, and buffeted with a messenger of Satan, Co2 12:7. We are much in the dark what this was, whether some great trouble or some great temptation. Some think it was an acute bodily pain or sickness; others think it was the indignities done him by the false apostles, and the opposition he met with from them, particularly on the account of his speech, which was contemptible. However this was, God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us; and this is certain, that what the apostle calls a thorn in his flesh was for a time very grievous to him: but the thorns Christ wore for us, and with which he was crowned, sanctify and make easy all the thorns in the flesh we may at any time be afflicted with; for he suffered, being tempted, that he might be able to succour those that are tempted. Temptations to sin are most grievous thorns; they are messengers of Satan, to buffet us. Indeed it is a great grievance to a good man to be so much as tempted to sin.
2.The design of this was to keep the apostle humble: Lest he should be exalted above measure, Co2 12:7. Paul himself knew he had not yet attained, neither was already perfect; and yet he was in danger of being lifted up with pride. If God love us, he will hide pride from us, and keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered, to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan, which he did not send with a good design, but on the contrary, with ill intentions, to discourage the apostle (who had been so highly favoured of God) and hinder him in his work. But God designed this for good, and he overruled it for good, and made this messenger of Satan to be so far from being a hindrance that it was a help to the apostle.
3.The apostle prayed earnestly to God for the removal of this sore grievance. Note, Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh we should give ourselves to prayer. Therefore we are sometimes tempted that we may learn to pray. The apostle besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him, Co2 12:8. Note, Though afflictions are sent for our spiritual benefit, yet we may pray to God for the removal of them: we ought indeed to desire also that they may reach the end for which they are designed. The apostle prayed earnestly, and repeated his requests; he besought the Lord thrice, that is, often. So that if an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we must hold on, and hold out, till we receive an answer. Christ himself prayed to his Father thrice. As troubles are sent to teach us to pray, so they are continued to teach us to continue instant in prayer.
4.We have an account of the answer given to the apostle's prayer, that, although the trouble was not removed, yet an equivalent should be granted: My grace is sufficient for thee. Note, (1.) Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always answer it in the letter; as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. (2.) When God does not remove our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives us grace sufficient for us, we have no reason to complain, nor to say that he deals ill by us. It is a great comfort to us, whatever thorns in the flesh we are pained with, that God's grace is sufficient for us. Grace signifies two things: - [1.] The good-will of God towards us, and this is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits, in all afflictions and distresses. [2.] The good work of God in us, the grace we receive from the fulness that is in Christ our head; and from him there shall be communicated that which is suitable and seasonable, and sufficient for his members. Christ Jesus understands our case, and knows our need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady, and not only strengthen us, but glorify himself. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified; he ordains his praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.
III. Here is the use which the apostle makes of this dispensation: He gloried in his infirmities (Co2 12:9), and took pleasure in them, Co2 12:10. He does not mean his sinful infirmities (those we have reason to be ashamed of and grieved at), but he means his afflictions, his reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake, Co2 12:10. And the reason of his glory and joy on account of these things was this - they were fair opportunities for Christ to manifest the power and sufficiency of his grace resting upon him, by which he had so much experience of the strength of divine grace that he could say, When I am weak, then am I strong. This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace.
Hear, then, the parables of the tower; for I will reveal all to you, and give me no more trouble in regard to revelation: for these revelations have an end, for they have been completed. But you will not cease praying for revelations, for you are shameless.
Paul is now going to describe how he has been raised up in order that the Corinthians might understand how great and how wonderful the things said to him were and that they might realize that he is not inferior in any way to the other apostles.
What is this? Doth he who has spoken such great things say, [It is not expedient] "doubtless to glory?" as if he had said nothing? No; not as if he had said nothing: but because he is going to pass to another species of boasting, which is not intended indeed by so great a reward, but which to the many (though not to careful examiners) seems to set him off in brighter colors, he says, "It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory." For truly the great grounds of boasting were those which he had recounted, those of his trials; he has however other things also to tell of, such as concern the revelations, the unspeakable mysteries. And wherefore, says he, "It is not expedient for me?" he means, 'lest it lift me up to pride.' What sayest thou? For if thou speak not of them, yet dost thou not know of them? But our knowing of them ourselves doth not lift us up so much as our publishing them to others. For it is not the nature of good deeds that useth to lift a man up, but their being witnessed to, and known of, by the many. For this cause therefore he saith, "It is not expedient for me;" and, 'that I may not implant too great an idea of me in those who hear.' For those men indeed, the false apostles, said even what was not true about themselves; but this man hides even what is true, and that too although so great necessity lies upon him, and says, "It is not expedient for me;" teaching one and all even to superfluity to avoid any thing of the sort. For this thing is attended with no advantage, but even with harm, except there be some necessary and useful reason which induceth us thereto.
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SUMMARY
In the Apostle Paul reluctantly transitions from defending his apostolic authority through a list of sufferings and weaknesses to a more challenging, personal form of validation: sharing extraordinary, divinely granted visions and revelations. He prefaces this by stating that such boasting is "not expedient" for him, highlighting his profound humility and his preference to avoid self-exaltation, yet he feels compelled to disclose these intimate spiritual experiences to the Corinthian church to authenticate his ministry against the claims of false apostles.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is Irony, as he states it is "not expedient" for him to boast, yet immediately proceeds to do so. This is a continuation of the "foolish boasting" he engaged in during 2 Corinthians 11, where he ironically boasts in his weaknesses to highlight the true source of his strength. There is also an element of Antithesis implied, contrasting the worldly, self-aggrandizing boasting of his opponents with his own reluctant, God-centered "boasting" that serves only to validate his divine commission. The phrase "of the Lord" acts as an Attribution, clearly assigning the source of these extraordinary experiences to God, thereby deflecting any personal glory from himself and ensuring that the focus remains on divine power and grace.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Corinthians 12:1 underscores the theological truth that genuine spiritual authority and validation come from God, not from human credentials or self-promotion. Paul's reluctance to boast, even in divinely given experiences, highlights the virtue of humility as central to Christian leadership and life. It teaches that spiritual gifts and revelations are given for God's purposes and the edification of the church, not for personal pride or to establish a hierarchy of "spirituality." The verse also affirms the reality of supernatural encounters with God, while simultaneously cautioning against their misuse for personal gain or competitive display. True spiritual power is often manifested in weakness, and true authority is rooted in a humble dependence on God, rather than a display of extraordinary experiences.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's reluctant confession in 2 Corinthians 12:1 offers profound lessons for believers today. It challenges our natural inclination to seek validation through impressive experiences or accomplishments. In a world that often values outward displays of success, Paul reminds us that true spiritual maturity is marked by humility and a willingness to deflect praise from ourselves to God. Our spiritual gifts, insights, or profound encounters with God are not for our personal glory or for establishing a spiritual pecking order, but are given by grace for the advancement of His kingdom and the building up of His people. We are called to steward these gifts responsibly, always pointing to the Giver, not the recipient. This verse encourages us to examine our motivations: do we seek to impress others with our spiritual experiences, or do we humbly serve, allowing God to be glorified through our weaknesses as much as through our strengths?
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Paul so reluctant to share his visions and revelations?
Answer: Paul's reluctance stemmed from his deep commitment to humility and his understanding that true Christian ministry is about exalting Christ, not oneself. He had consistently taught against boasting in human achievements or spiritual experiences, advocating instead for boasting only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). Sharing such profound personal revelations could easily lead to pride, either in himself or in the Corinthians who might then elevate him unduly. He was forced to do so only because false apostles were challenging his legitimate authority, making it necessary to provide undeniable evidence of his divine commission, even if it meant engaging in a form of "foolish boasting" for the sake of the gospel. He explains this further in 2 Corinthians 12:7, where he mentions a "thorn in the flesh" given to him to prevent him from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of these revelations.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Corinthians 12:1 describes Paul's personal, divinely granted experiences, its ultimate fulfillment and theological significance point directly to Christ. Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God, the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). All "visions and revelations of the Lord" ultimately find their source and purpose in Him. Paul's apostleship, authenticated by these supernatural encounters, was always directed towards proclaiming Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). The very grace that enabled Paul to receive such visions, and the power that sustained him through his weaknesses, flowed from Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Therefore, Paul's reluctant boasting in divine experiences serves to underscore that all true spiritual authority, insight, and power are derived from Christ, and any glory received is to be redirected back to Him, the one "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Paul's life and ministry, including these profound revelations, were a living testament to the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ.