I Could Boast In My Visions And Revelations From The Lord
12 It-is-necessary to boast. It is not beneficial[a], but I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago— whether in the body, I do not know, or outside of the body, I do not know. God knows— that such a one was snatched-away[b] to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man— whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know. God knows— 4 that he was snatched away into paradise, and heard unspeakable words which are not permitted for a man to speak. 5 I will boast on behalf of such a one. But I will not boast on behalf of myself, except in the weaknesses. 6 For if I should desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I am sparing you, that no one might credit to me beyond what he sees as to me, or hears as to something from me.
But God’s Power Is Perfected In Weakness, So I Will Boast In My Weaknesses
7 And[c] for the excess[d] of the revelations— for-this-reason, in order that I might not be exalted[e], a thorn in the flesh was given to me; a messenger of Satan to[f] beat[g] me in order that I might not be exalted. 8 I appealed-to the Lord about this three-times, that it[h] might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me: “My grace is sufficient[i] for you. For My power is perfected[j] in weakness”. Therefore most-gladly[k] I will rather boast in my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell upon me. 10 For this reason I am well-pleased with weaknesses, with insults[l], with constraints, with persecutions and distresses for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, at that time I am powerful[m].
I Ought To Be Commended By You, For I Did The Signs of The Apostle Among You
11 I have become foolish— you compelled me! For I ought to be being commended by you! For I in no way came-short-of the superlative[n] apostles, even though I am nothing; 12 the signs[o] of the apostle were produced among you in[p] all endurance in both signs and wonders, and miracles.
My Only Shortcoming Is Not Letting You Pay Me! I Will Gladly Spend Myself For You!
13 For what is it as to which you were worse-off [q] than the other churches?— except that I myself did not burden[r] you. Forgive me this wrong-doing! 14 Behold— this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden. For I am not seeking your things, but you. For the children ought not to be storing-up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 But I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls— though while loving you more, I am[s] loved less!
And Everyone I Sent You Did The Same As I
16 But let it[t] be— I did not weigh you down, but being crafty, I took you by deceit! 17 As to anyone of whom I have sent-out to you— I did not exploit you through him, did I ? 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same spirit? In the same footsteps?
In All This I Am Speaking To Edify You, Lest I Should Have To Come And Mourn Over You
19 All-this-time are you thinking[u] that we are defending-ourselves to you? We are speaking before God in Christ— and speaking all things, beloved, for the sake of your edification. 20 For I am fearing that having come, I may somehow find you to be not such as I want and I may be found by you to be such as you do not want— that somehow there may be strife, jealousy, rages[v], selfish-interests, slanders, whisperings, puffings [with pride], disorders[w]; 21 that I having come again[x], my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn many of the ones having previously-sinned and not having repented over[y] the impurity and sexual-immorality and sensuality which they practiced.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 12:1 Or, profitable, advantageous. Such talk exposes Paul to the charge of self-commendation. Perhaps for this reason he puts what follows in the third person.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2 Or caught-up, carried-off.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 This points forward to “for-this-reason”. Or, “beyond what he sees... or hears... and for the... revelations. For this reason”, naming a second basis on which credit might come to Paul (v 6).
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul may mean excess of quality (excellence) or quantity (abundance).
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or, exalt myself.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lit, in order that it (or, he) might beat me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or, strike.
- 2 Corinthians 12:8 That is, the thorn. Or, he; the messenger.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, adequate, enough.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, brought to completion or consummation. The greatness of God’s power is seen in the weakness of the means He uses to accomplish His works. Jesus is the prime example. God’s greatest victory came from the worst of human defeats.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, with-the-greatest-pleasure.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or, violent mistreatment.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or, strong, mighty.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 See 11:5.
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 That is, that which authenticates someone as an apostle; the true signs of the apostle; or, the signs of the true apostle.
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 That is, in connection with.
- 2 Corinthians 12:13 Or, inferior, less.
- 2 Corinthians 12:13 That is, financially. See 11:9.
- 2 Corinthians 12:15 Or, am I loved less?
- 2 Corinthians 12:16 That is, let someone’s assertion be. Let their case be that I did not burden you, but I took you through those I sent.
- 2 Corinthians 12:19 Or, you are thinking... you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 Or, fits of rage.
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 Or, disturbances.
- 2 Corinthians 12:21 Or, that having come, my God should again humble me, perhaps implying a previous such sorrowful visit.
- 2 Corinthians 12:21 Or, in relation to, concerning.