2 Corinthians12

The Apostle Paul recounts a profound vision of a man (likely himself) caught up to the third heaven, where he heard unspeakable words. To prevent pride from these abundant revelations, he was given a "thorn in the flesh," which the Lord declared was a means for His strength to be perfected in Paul's weakness. Paul then defends his apostolic authority and financial integrity, expressing deep concern over the Corinthians' potential disunity and unrepentant sin upon his anticipated third visit.

Paul's Vision and Revelation

1
It is not expedient for me no doubt to reioyce: for I will come to visions and reuelations of the Lord.
2
I know a man in Christ aboue fourteene yeeres agone, (whether he were in the body, I can not tell, or out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth) which was taken vp into the thirde heauen.
3
And I knowe such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth)
4
How that he was taken vp into Paradise, and heard words which cannot be spoken, which are not possible for man to vtter.
5
Of such a man will I reioyce: of my selfe will I not reioyce, except it bee of mine infirmities.
6
For though I woulde reioyce, I should not be a foole, for I will say the trueth: but I refraine, lest any man should thinke of me aboue that hee seeth in me, or that he heareth of me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7
And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the aboundance of reuelations, there was giuen vnto me a pricke in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet mee, because I should not be exalted out of measure.
8
For this thing I besought the Lord thrise, that it might depart from me.
9
And he said vnto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect through weakenesse. Very gladly therefore will I reioyce rather in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christes sake: for when I am weake, then am I strong.

Apostolic Credentials Defended

11
I was a foole to boast my selfe: yee haue compelled mee: for I ought to haue bene commended of you: for in nothing was I inferiour vnto the very chiefe Apostles, though I bee nothing.
12
The signes of an Apostle were wrought among you with all patience, with signes, and wonders, and great workes.
13
For what is it, wherein yee were inferiours vnto other Churches, except that I haue not bene slouthfull to your hinderance? forgiue me this wrong.

Planning the Third Visit

14
Behold, the thirde time I am ready to come vnto you, and yet will I not be slouthfull to your hinderance: for I seeke not yours, but you: for the children ought not to laye vp for the fathers, but the fathers for the children.
15
And I will most gladly bestow, and will be bestowed for your soules: though the more I loue you, the lesse I am loued.
16
But bee it that I charged you not: yet for as much as I was craftie, I tooke you with guile.
17
Did I pill you by any of them whom I sent vnto you?
18
I haue desired Titus, and with him I haue sent a brother: did Titus pill you of any thing? walked we not in the selfe same spirit? walked we not in the same steppes?
19
Againe, thinke yee that wee excuse our selues vnto you? we speake before God in Christ. But wee doe all thinges, dearely beloued, for your edifying.

Fear of Finding Unrepentance

20
For I feare least when I come, I shall not finde you such as I would: and that I shalbe found vnto you such as ye woulde not, and least there be strife, enuying, wrath, contentions, backebitings, whisperings, swellings and discord.
21
I feare least when I come againe, my God abase me among you, and I shall bewaile many of them which haue sinned already, and haue not repented of the vncleannesse, and fornication, and wantonnesse which they haue committed.
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