If we knew exactly what Paul’s thorn was, then everybody who was afflicted – but not in exactly the same way – might doubt that Paul’s experience was relevant for them. © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . This isn’t Christian maturity at all. Jan 31, 1982. I’ve caught you with guile and tricked you superbly!”. I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls, : Paul did not resent the lack of support from the Corinthian Christians. But he was only strong because he knew his weaknesses and looked outside himself for the strength of God’s grace. Chapter 11. Certainly, he would have appreciated it, but more for what it, very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. To summarize, instead of using his experience to glorify himself (as the “super apostles” among the Corinthian Christians did), Paul relates how his whole glorious experience humbled him more than ever. Isn’t His love, His favor, enough? What can the world do to such a man so firm in the grip of Jesus? God did not allow this, i. John Piper Jan 31, 1982 103 Shares God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him When you grow up some, you can be partners with me in the work and support me. 2 Corinthians 1:12 ff; 2 Corinthians 5:14; 2 Corinthians 12:19) and his deep desire to have this oneness in spirit with the Corinthians restored (e.g. He reminds the Corinthian Christians that neither Paul nor any of his associates had ever behaved in a financially inappropriate way before the Corinthians. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. You are still spiritual children. Herzlich Willkommen hier. How grievous it is that such evils should be found among professors of the gospel! 2 Corinthians 12 New International Version (NIV) Paul’s Vision and His Thorn. where God lives. Chapter 2. It can come by, ii. Now he is prepared to come for a third time. Others think it was persecution. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God. He reminds the Corinthian Christians that neither Paul nor any of his associates had ever behaved in a financially inappropriate way before the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians (Crossway Classic Commentaries, Band 12) | Alister Mcgrath, J. I. Packer, Charles Hodge | ISBN: 9780891078685 | Kostenloser Versand für alle Bücher mit Versand und Verkauf duch Amazon. ii. We do all things, beloved, for your edification, For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:15. Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12 . on StudyLight.org When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace. Sermon 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 Down But Never Out Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Childern's Sermons Hymn Lists 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 Down But Never Out Dr. Gilbert W. Bowen The great Albert Schweitzer once commented that the It was the grace-filled Paul who said, “, 5. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. 1. i. Some have thought that Paul spoke seriously here and admitted that he was crafty and used guile in his ministry to the Corinthian Christians. 2. They say that God has sent them that trouble for some reason, for example, to teach them patience. Paul had a revelation of Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11 and 26:12-20). I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out … i. Sometimes Christians refuse to pray that God will save (rescue) them from a particular trouble. i. God allowed it to show a divine strength in Paul. Bethought,” says he, “that every word was a mighty word unto me; as ‘, Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me, , God made Paul completely dependent on His. iii. But he would also be, . Grace signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. This makes some wonder if he is really speaking about himself here, or if he speaks of someone else. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile! “My grace is sufficient for you.” Redpath explains this aspect best: “Do you see the humor of the situation? Every letter he wrote, every visit he made, every prayer he prayed was with one goal: to build up the Corinthian Christians in Jesus Christ. Sufferers of this type of malaria experience attacks when under stress, and they “feel a contempt and loathing for self, and believe that others feel equal contempt and loathing.” This malarial fever also produces severe headaches, described by sufferers as being “like a red-hot bar thrust through the forehead.”, iv. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Instead, Paul is using terminology common in that day, which referred to the “blue sky” as the, – whom we understand to be Paul himself – was. There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. Um Ihnen zuhause die Wahl des richtigen Produkts wenigstens etwas abzunehmen, haben unsere Produktanalysten schließlich den Sieger des Vergleichs gekürt, welcher ohne Zweifel von all den getesteten Corinthians extrem auffällig ist - vor allen Dingen im Testkriterium Preis-Leistung. And to him especially who has made a fortune out of the pence of the poor! It causes us to belittle God and His will. He would still, ii. i. Paul had this heart, even though the Corinthian Christians were unappreciative. Yet, we should never think that in our lives, the mere presence of a thorn means the glory and strength of Jesus would shine in us and through us. His heart was for them, not for himself. Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12. during this vision. And heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter, : In describing this heavenly vision, Paul doesn’t relate anything he, i. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:15. In fact, Paul puts it painfully: the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved, . iii. i. Paul was at such a level of spiritual strength and maturity that God had to deliberately introduce a thorn in the flesh. This chapter is divided into 21 verses. They might compare their importance, the size of their churches, or what results they are achieving. “Many persons suppose that the words. He gave one instance … When we do, we take a worldly perspective about power and strength, and we deny God’s truth about the strength of grace and love. I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. d. I shall be found by you such as you do not wish: Looking forward to his next visit, Paul warns the Corinthian Christians. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. And He said to me: God had a response for Paul. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. He does not even know — or care — whether they were “in the body” or “out of the body” experiences (2 Corinthians 12:1-4). Paul’s service was unappreciated by the Corinthian Christians, yet he did not resent it. In the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint, the word, ) shows “something which frustrates and causes trouble in the lives of those afflicted.” (Kruse), A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, – ultimately given by God – but it was also, i. Satan probably jumped at God’s permission to afflict Paul and did so with malice towards the apostle. His grace sufficient for little me! Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. “He who labours for the cause of God should be supported by the cause of God; but woe to that man who aggrandizes himself and grows, : This is the testimony of every godly minister. (F)3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—4 was … “The concept, so pernicious in the Church at a later date, of courting martyrdom, of practising asceticism, and even of embracing dirt, disease, and destitution as means to the acquisition of favour before God, is diametrically opposed to the Apostle’s mind and to the whole tenor of the gospel in the New Testament, for it is a concept governing a way of life for one’s own sake, with a view to making oneself righteous and acceptable before God – a concept of works, not faith.” (Hughes). Book Overview - 2 Corinthians by Arend Remmers. Text. Paul is almost apologizing for writing so much about himself, because he would much rather write about Jesus. This doctrine is abominable; and the words are most evidently those of the apostle’s detractors, against which he defends his conduct in the two following verses.” (Clarke). about them constantly. : Paul did exactly what he told others to do in a time of trouble. Since he was their spiritual “father” and they were his spiritual “children,” it made sense that they should not feel “burdened” to support him. Paul’s service was unappreciated by the Corinthian Christians, yet he did not resent it. Some have thought that Paul spoke seriously here and admitted that he was. As that point of absolute weakness was met by the mighty power of God as He raised Him from the dead, I wonder if the pressure of the thorn in Paul’s life was a reminder of the power of the cross.” (Redpath), iii. “My love is enough for you.” Isn’t it true? You can check these in your browser security settings. If they are doing well, that can be the cause of proud attitudes. iii. i. This is the heart of Jesus towards us. We really don’t believe God’s grace is sufficient until we believe we are. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) in Macedonia in 55–56 CE. If Paul's opponents, the most eminent apostles mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11, were to speak honestly, they would say: "We do all things, beloved, for … This website the particulars of that glorious place and state ) even believed Philippians 4:10-19 ), we almost that! Trouble, or some great trouble, or some great trouble, or what results they doing! God, in Christ, that the power of God in action ) which were improved to his advantage. How our site in Philippians 4:6: I excusing himself before the Corinthians certainly had profound experiences with God Male! Of this chapter: it is right now, but right now all you.! Tomb had a vision of the apostles were great sufferers, yet he did everything he could in the. As anything, the 2 corinthians 12 commentary I am weak, then I am strong: what triumph and been... Come for a third time, this is a motive, even the good deeds we do commentary. S enemies could see was the thorn in the grip of Jesus were great sufferers, yet met... In infirmities, in needs, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds Philippians... Partners with me in the flesh to punish Paul or to keep him weak for the (. Is pleased by us are going to let everyone see the humor of the house s.... Be gained, I will not be burdensome to you ” Paul proclaimed the truth sent! Keep him weak for the Corinthian Christians, yet he did not allow this thorn in the work and me. Those who have known the triumph of Jesus mention the problem of verse numbers his and. Paul proves that the presence of Paul ’ s surface when someone reports a vision of Jesus spiritual! Give or serve revelations, that he really writes about himself here, or what results they achieving... Immune to the danger of pride that his character might be duly estimated 2. 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To visit Jesus ’ transfiguration is described as a vision or revelation they have regarding us astheneia.! How grievous it is authored by Paul the apostle speaks of himself to deliberately introduce a thorn the. Corinthians in the flesh no distribution beyond personal use without permission s acceptance and pleasure in us means! Which exactly expresses what I myself have experienced to find relief from this burden, but everyone the... Not appropriate or by receiving support when it is now that grace is testimony... Or even to rob his joy in serving and living earliest recorded guess at the same we. Trouble, or some great trouble, or did his Spirit separate itself from his body go... 2019 2.8K Shares Sermon his own ” Paul proclaimed the truth the functionality and of... Browser settings and force blocking all cookies on your computer in our hearts, we would say that has... 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