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2 Corinthians 12:1-10
12 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: Last week, Paul boasted in his weaknesses ultimately to show the Corinthians that the glory of his ministry belongs to God and not himself. This week, Paul continues to boast in weakness by giving an account of the visions and revelations that he has received from the Lord. He shows the Corinthians that even these visions and revelations do not lead him to boasting in the flesh or in his spiritual expertise. Rather, Paul tells the Corinthians that God has given him a thorn in the flesh so that in his weakness, he might display the sufficiency and the power of Christ. This is really the point of the letter, that counterintuitively, God's grace and power work through our weaknesses not our strengths, giving all people hope in the gospel.
Review & Apply
Why do you think Paul shares his visions and revelations from the Lord in verses 1-6? How do they relate to him boasting in his weaknesses?
What does verse 4 reveal about the glory of God?
In what ways do we look for recognition in our own lives? How can this be a danger that leads us to selfish boasting?
How do you consider and respond to weaknesses? Are they seen as a pathway to grace or something to cover?
In what ways have you seen others as content in Christ despite their weakness? How can we learn from Paul’s example here?
What do you think is the power of Christ that rests upon Paul in verse 9?
How can we boast all the more gladly in our weaknesses?
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