Daily Scripture Reading 2Corinthians 12:1-16

Any time we suffer weaknesses, insults, distress, hardship, or persecutions, we start to feel sorry for ourselves and ask God to deliver us from the maladies. We think life would be better if we were free of the limitations. What we often overlook is what bad things might happen if we were truly free. Yes, maybe we could have an easier and more pleasant life, but we could also be more prone to sin.

Paul was an apostle. He had many reasons to become proud. However, pride is a bad thing. We will see in today’s passage that God put obstacles in Paul’s life that prevented him from becoming proud. This reminds us that instead of resenting our limitations and defects, perhaps we should look at them as tools of God to keep us humble.

In chapter 11 Paul wrote about the persecution he endured as an apostle. He was beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked. He faced danger from Jews, Gentiles, robbers, and false brethren. He went without sleep, food, and clothing. In addition, he had the constant concern of the health of the churches.

2Cor. 12:1 ¶ It is necessary to boast, though it is not profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

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

Paul was talking about himself.

2Cor. 12:3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

2Cor. 12:4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

In chapter 10 Paul admitted that his personal presence often came across as weak, causing some to doubt his apostleship. Then in chapter 11 he wrote about false apostles who were preaching a false gospel and leading people astray. His litany of the persecutions he suffered was part of his defense of his apostleship. Now, he was giving more evidence of his authenticity by letting the Corinthians know he had been in Paradise.

2Cor. 12:5 On behalf of such a man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in weaknesses.

2Cor. 12:6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will consider me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.

2Cor. 12:7 ¶ Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

Since Paul was an apostle, had seen the Lord, had visited Paradise, and had demonstrated his willingness to suffer anything for the sake of the gospel, it would have been easy for Paul to become proud. Therefore, Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him from exalting himself. We don’t know the nature of the thorn.

2Cor. 12:8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.

2Cor. 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2Cor. 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul wanted the thorn removed, but he recognized that the thorn was actually good, because it kept him from becoming proud.

Humans in general are inclined to become proud. We tend to be competitive with our fellow man and like it when we are better than someone else in a particular skill or area. In religion, it is very tempting for evangelists, pastors, and elders to think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. Church history is littered with examples of Christians who became proud and descended into sin.

Some Christians who have gifts and abilities in religious matters and would be inclined to exalt themselves also have weaknesses, distresses, or hardships that keep them humble. It is natural to desire that God would remove the weaknesses. However, those who have the weaknesses, should emulate Paul and be grateful to God for putting something in their life that keeps them humble.

2Cor. 12:11 ¶ I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most-eminent apostles, even if I am nothing.

2Cor. 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

Some Christian denominations think apostleship exists today. However, a true apostle, among other requirements, showed signs, wonders, and miracles. Since the miraculous gifts no longer exist, then apostleship no longer exists.

2Cor. 12:13 For in what respect were you treated as less than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

2Cor. 12:14 ¶ Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

2Cor. 12:15 So I will most gladly spend and be fully spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

2Cor. 12:16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself. Nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.

I believe Paul was being sarcastic. The Corinthians were doubting his apostleship, and yet he had not asked them for any money. If he was deceitful, then what was he trying to gain? The Corinthians should have known that Paul did not have ulterior motives.

Any time we suffer weaknesses, insults, distress, hardship, or persecutions, we start to feel sorry for ourselves and ask God to deliver us from the maladies. What we often overlook is that our limitations keep us humble. Instead of resenting our limitations, we should look at them as tools of God to prevent pride.

What are the gifts and abilities you have that could cause you to become proud?

What are the defects, limitations, and life circumstances imposed on you by God which keep you humble?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”