2 Corinthians 12

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 2 Corinthians 12:6

Paul is being precise in his selected wording. He just said that “of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.” Now, to show that he could, and may even desire to, boast in something more than his infirmities, he says, “I will not be a fool.” If he were to boast in his achievements, it would be the truth and it wouldn’t be the mere ravings of a mad man. The things he would claim would seem preposterous to his hearers and yet it would be the truth. As he says, “…for I will speak the truth.”

However, he withheld such boasting with the reason being, “lest anyone should think of me above what he see me to be or hears from me.” In other words, “What marvelous things Paul boasts of! Could they be true about him? He is weak, infirm, and his speech is contemptible. The man is a living paradox!”

The things which he knew, had done, and had experienced were the things which people would naturally boast in. They would elevate him to an exalted position. But these were not the things which he wanted others to notice, and so he refrained from stating them. Instead, he will focus on something of which no one would normally boast. In this, he followed the pattern of Christ who had “no form or comeliness.” In Him there was “no beauty that we should desire Him.” He was humble and lowly and washed the feet of His disciples.

Paul, now following that same example, will give illustrations of the things he felt it was acceptable to boast in. What the world looks for as great and worthy of note is the opposite of what the Christian should be focusing on.

Life application: Doing lowly, menial tasks is not a sign of weakness, especially if you don’t have to do them. Assuming such jobs is simply a sign that you are willing to ensure that which needs to be done gets done. Never be afraid to get your hands dirty, either literally or spiritually, as needs arise.

Heavenly Father, as the world rages around us, we are often left with mixed messages. Preachers on the radio and TV tell us that God wants to bless us and that we should be living the abundant life. And yet the economy is tanking, people are arbitrarily shooting others where they work, and it is often hard to get up from bed just to face the reality of another day. This is why it is so good to have Your word hidden in our hearts. While the world crumbles and the messages of prosperity fail, Your word guides us through the troubles it said we would face. Thank You for this roadmap to peace in a difficult world. Amen.

Monday, 28 December 2015

Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 2 Corinthians 12:5

It is obvious on the surface that Paul has been speaking of himself concerning the visions of the third heaven and of Paradise. Therefore, the words of this verse are the epitome of irony. Still referring to those events as if they were someone else, he says, “Of such a one I will boast.” The reason for this is because they are divinely given honors, worthy of boasting to those who need direction in matters of a divine nature.

However, he continues with the words, “yet of myself I will not boast.” This is referring to all of the sufferings and trials he endured which are noted in the previous chapter. Those are the things which the Corinthians thought were to be boasted in, as is evidenced by their boasting in those types of things in the false apostles.

However, Paul has shown them that they are merely earthly and of no true spiritual value. Because of this, he has put the thought of boasting in those things away. They no longer have the importance to him that they once did, and such things should not be a source of boasting by others as well.

But Paul finishes by noting that there is one type of earthly trial that is worthy of boasting in. Of all of the fleshly things he could have boasted in, he only does so in his “infirmities.” Through verse 10, he will explain exactly why this is so.

Life application: Many of us have done things which the world would think of as great. Maybe we retired with a high rank from the military. Perhaps we were the CEO of a big company. Some of us may have been exceptional at some type of sport. Maybe we were on a TV show with a special talent. Oooh! Ah! But what value has any of this from a heavenly perspective? Zilch. Let us not boast in the things that have no heavenly value. Instead, let’s try learning our Bible, telling others about Christ, and helping out in the church we attend. And when we do these things through infirmity, then we have something we can truly boast in.

Lord God, no matter what great thing we achieve in this life, if it doesn’t glorify You, then it is of no lasting value. We may do something that outlasts us by a thousand years, but a thousand years in Your sight is as a passing day. In the end, it is all vanity and fading breath. Help each of us to get our priorities right and to spend our lives pursuing You. Help us to be ready for the eternal as we trudge through the temporary. To Your glory we pray. Amen.

Sunday, 27 December 2015

…how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Corinthians 12:4

Once again, with the two thoughts finished, placing them side by side gives a better perspective of Paul’s statements –

*I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

*And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

As can be seen, it is probable, but not entirely certain, that the terms “the third heaven” and “Paradise” are not the same thing. He is likely saying that he was been caught up to the third heaven as well as having been caught up into Paradise. The word for “Paradise” here is the same word as that used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament when referring to the Garden of Eden, or the “Paradise of Eden.” This word is found only three times in the New Testament; in Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 12:4, and in Revelation 2:7. It is the reward which faithful believers will receive because of the finished work of Christ.

Paul says that while there he “heard inexpressible words.” In this, there is either:

1)  A paradox – he heard speaking which may not be spoken because it is impossible for us to express the same words. In attempting to do so, he would do injustice to what he had heard. Or,

2) They are words which are not to be uttered by man at this present time. He was allowed to hear them, but forbidden from re-stating them.

The second option seems more likely because of his final words, “…which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” The Bible scholar Bengel explains the verse in this manner –

“Others, who did not hear them, cannot; Paul, who did hear them, is not sufficiently able; and though he were able, yet it would not be lawful, it would not be proper in the state of mortality; because the inhabitants of the earth would not understand them.”

Life application: Verses 2-4 of this chapter show us that those who claim to have had visions of heaven, and who then repeat them, are most probably making them up. Why would God have Paul state the things he did here and then change His way of dealing with someone later? The answer is that He wouldn’t. We have just what we need in the pages of the Bible to satisfy our current walk with the Lord. Further, He has given us enough information about what is coming to let us know that wonderful things lie ahead.

Heavenly Father, I know that because of Jesus, the very worst day of my life is as close to hell as I will ever get. On the other hand, the very best day of life for one who rejects Him is as close to heaven as they will ever get. As this world is disappointing even on the very best of days, I’m all in for Jesus. I cannot wait to see what wonders You have in store for us. May that day be soon! No fear here. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Saturday, 26 December 2015

And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
2 Corinthians 12:3

Paul now seems to repeat himself for the purpose of emphasis, and many scholars generally take it that way. So far the words of verses 2 and 3 can be compared by noting them side by side –

*I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

*And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

In verse 3, he has added in the word kai, or “and.” This then seems to indicate not emphasis of the same thought, but the introduction of a new thought. Verse 4 will bring that revelation to light, but regardless of what verse 4 says, Paul continues on with the same line of reasoning which is found in verse 2. He is referring to himself in the third person, and he is completely unaware of whether what he will describe actually occurred in the body or out of the body. To him, it remained an enduring mystery which only God knows.

The word “whether” is used in both verses. If there is a distinction being made between the two events, then he was unsure of his state in both circumstances as they occurred.

Life application: Paul, as an apostle of Christ, has the right to make the claim that he is making concerning his visions. His words are a part of the biblical record and God used Paul for that very purpose. He will note that the things he saw and heard while in this state were “unlawful for a man to utter.” It would logically follow then that what he saw was not to be described by him (which he refrains from doing) and therefore the same would apply to anyone else who claims to have made such a heavenly visitation. It is better to not trust the visions of others than it is to find out that their words were not true. In the end, we have the Bible and so any such extra revelations, even if true, would not add to what we need for our faith and practice. So why buy the book?

Lord God, it is very hard to know the truth of the words of others at times. They make convincing stories about heavenly visits, marvelous visions, prophetic utterances, and other such things. Over the years, they are normally proven false. But one thing I know… You have already given us Your word. So why would I need extra revelations anyway? If the Bible is all-sufficient for my faith and practice, then I’ll be content to let the other stuff fall by the wayside! I’m all in for Your superior word which tells me all I need to know for my trip back to You. Thank You for this precious book of love and doctrine. Amen.

Friday, 25 December 2015

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2

Verse 1 said, “It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast.” This verse now moves into the third person to avoid any such hint of boasting. He says, “I know a man in Christ.” This is referring to himself. There are a couple of ways of knowing this is so.

First, anyone else’s visions wouldn’t have had any bearing on his comments here. They would be superfluous to the intent of his letter. Secondly, in verse 7 he moves to the first person, still talking about the same thing. Paul is accomplishing his feat of not boasting while still conveying a thought which the Corinthians could boast in concerning his status as an apostle.

This man, meaning himself, is “in Christ.” He was, at the time of the occurrence, already a Christian. This is something he speaks of concerning the redeemed several times. One example is –

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Galatians 6:15

The dating of this epistle can be fixed at 57/58 A.D. Next he says it was “fourteen years ago.” This would make the event he is writing about around 43/44 A.D. Therefore, this is after his conversion, but it is something not specifically mentioned in Acts. Speculation as to when and where the vision occurred is just that, only speculation.

After this, he says, “…whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows.” The vision was so real to him that he felt as if he was in a body, but yet, he could not prove that he actually was. This resembles visions of the OT, such as in Ezekiel –

“And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there. ² Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber. ³ He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. ⁴ And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.”

Ezekiel said he had a vision while he “sat in my house with the elders of Judah,” wherein he was transported to Jerusalem, having been taken “by a lock of my hair.” There he saw and heard and experienced, and yet his body surely remained in his house. This may be something akin to what Paul experienced. The vision was so real that he simply couldn’t tell the state of his earthly body at the time.

Still referring to himself, he next says, “…such a one was caught up to the third heaven.” Nonsensical debates are made as to what Paul is referring to when he says “the third heaven.” What we can deduce is that it is a real place, and that it is “other” than where we are. People write lengthy commentaries on celestial gradations of what one “heaven” or another “heaven” is like, but it is all wasted ink. What we have from Paul is all that we need to understand the rest of the vision’s details.

As a point of interest though, he uses the term harpazo which is translated as “caught up.” This is the same term he uses for what believers will experience at their own rapture which is noted in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Thus, there is no reason to not believe in a literal rapture where our bodies will be changed and we will be transported to be with the Lord. Those who deny this must then deny Paul’s vision in these verses. With God, all such things are possible.

Life application: The Bible gives us enough information to understand what happened in certain circumstances in only a limited way. The admonition to not go beyond what is written is good at such times. We should be careful to not make up things, stating them as fact, concerning things of which we cannot be sure. In other words, when someone analyzes a passage such as that of Paul’s vision, make sure that it is in line with his words, but that it does not unnecessarily go beyond them.

Lord God, it sure is wonderful to peer into Your word and try to determine what is being said from the past so that we can determine what will occur in the future. Will there be a rapture? What will heaven be like? How much worse will the world get before Jesus returns? These things excite our curiosity. But help us to not go beyond what is written. Instead, help us to carefully analyze Your word only as far as You have revealed it to us. And then, help us to be patient as we wait on its full realization! Amen.