Written ~ 09-10-2024
Read 2 Corinthians Chapter Twelve
2 Corinthians 12
In the last couple of chapters (10 and 11), Paul’s themes were “boasting” and “weakness.” We will see in chapter 12 that he will continue with these themes. As believers, we are not to boast or brag about the things we do, instead we boast about the things Christ has done through us. In our weakness Jesus is the One who shines through. In 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul says, “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.”
2 Corinthians 12:1-4…
1 “This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know – only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.”
When God does something so remarkable in your life you may want to share it and brag about what God did for you. But there could be times where the thing God does is so magnificent that no matter how much you want to brag about it, the content of your story is so unbelievable that it will make the listener think you have gone crazy. I think this is why Paul never shares this vision and revelation before this time. He said this took place 14 years prior, but he did not have the words to describe what he saw, the glory he witnessed was something he was not allowed to repeat.
Paul continues in verse 12:5 to say that this particular experience was something worth boasting or bragging about! But that he wasn’t going to do it. Instead, he chose to only boast about his weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:5-7a…
5 “That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7a even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God.”
Sometimes it is better to have the Lord shine His light through our lives than for us to brag about all the wonderful things God has done for us. Now, I don’t think Paul means we can’t tell our story, because God is wonderful, and He does so many great things in our lives and we should share whatever we think will encourage or lift someone up if they are struggling. So, just for a moment, let’s look at the word “brag” and see what its definition clarifies within the context of what Paul is talking about:
Definition and synonyms to “brag”
- Pompous
- Arrogant
- Cockey
- Full of Hot Air
- Self-Praise
- Prideful
These are not the types of words we want associated with our walk with the Lord. So, that’s why Paul makes it very clear that he chooses to live his life in weakness and humility so Christ can shine through everything he says or does.
2 Corinthians 12:7b…
7b “So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.”
The Lord kept Paul humble by bringing him some kind of infirmity, it kept him in enough of a weakened state that he had to rely on the Lord for everything. The Bible doesn’t reveal what that “thorn in his flesh” was, but because Paul begged the Lord to take it away, it was enough of a nuisance that I’m sure at times he was tired of having to deal with it. But what I love about Paul and the lesson we can learn from him, is that even though the Lord did not take away the “thorn in his flesh” he did not give up, he did not get angry by it, and he certainly did not blame God for it. Instead, what we see is a renewed strength in the Lord, a humble power given to him by God. Paul had received great visions and revelations from the Lord and if there was anybody who could be proud and boastful it was Paul.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10…
8 “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
We don’t know exactly what the “thorn in Paul’s flesh” was exactly, but let’s take time to examine ourselves. What keeps you humble? What is the “thorn in your flesh?” What is it that keeps you in a weakened state so the Lord’s strength can shine through? Paul begged the Lord to take his “thorn” away, three times he begged the Lord. What’s the Lord’s response? “My Grace is all you need. My Power works best in weakness.” If we want to work in the Power of the Lord, we must lay aside any thoughts of pride and a boastful attitude. To be affective in furthering the Kingdom of God, our focus must always be on the Lord. Think about it, if we are concentrating on how great we think we are and we focus solely on our own abilities, it’s time to check in with the Lord!
When we elevate the Lord in everything we do, our selfishness for recognition fades. Our hearts and minds begin to see through the eyes of the Lord and that’s a beautiful thing! In verse 12:10, Paul talks about his hardships and troubles. He even says he takes pleasure in suffering through those things so Christ’s strength could be what shines through and it’s through Christ that he is strong.
One thing we never see Paul do is ask the Lord to remove all his troubles. Yes, he asked for the “thorn in his side” to be removed, but never his trials and suffering. Why? Because he understood the importance of those things to create in him a heart fully dependent on the Lord. Do we have the same attitude as Paul? Do we work best in our weakness because we know Christ is working through us? Or do we push through with our own strength, do we insist on having things done our way? It may be time to have a little chat with the Lord. Ask the Lord to show you where you are struggling to let Him take over. Ask the Lord to reveal a pride filled, boastful spirit, deep within your heart. Ask Him to convict you of those times where you did things in your own strength and took credit for a “job well done.”
Remember what the Lord said…
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
~AMEN~