Crossroads Women’s Study Winter/Spring 2020 2 Corinthians “All Things Become New” :1-10 – The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful Instructor: Maryellen Stipe

I. Introduction – Paul’s Last Words to the Corinthians in His Own Defense

A. Paul was restrained in writing about his personal experiences, but we see him share some rarely shared details in this chapter. Our only verdict must be that there was no other way to solve the problem of the false “super apostles.” He finishes off his letter by explaining a very deep and profound theology of suffering in order to defend himself and bring enlightenment to the Corinthians. B. It is evident that he wants to avoid exalting himself. In fact, in his first example, Paul describes his experience in the third person rather than the first person. This was an often-used teaching method of the Jewish rabbis of the time and Paul utilizes it skillfully. C. Paul defends himself once more against the malevolent accusation of his enemies. He shares three important experiences from God that became a part of his legacy and reveals some incredible truths about how God works in lives of his children. II. How God Honored Paul – The Good (12:1-6) It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 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. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 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.

A. The Judaizers were anxious to receive honors, and they boasted about their “letters of recommendation” (2 Cor. 3:1). These “super apostles” among the Corinthian Christians undoubtedly claimed many spectacular spiritual experiences, such as visions and revelations of the Lord. B. Paul has “reluctantly boasted” since the last chapter, but now he will put on display a report of his own regarding visions and revelations of the Lord.

C. Paul’s reluctance is expressed in the opening words of this chapter: It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast.

1 D. Paul did not look for honor from men; he let God honor him, and that was all that mattered to him. Paul explains how God honored him by giving him visions and revelations. This was part an important part of Paul’s spiritual gifting “Paul saw the glorified Christ on the very day he was converted (Acts 9:3; 22:6). He saw a vision of Ananias coming to minister to him (Acts 9:12), and he also had a vision from God when he was called to minister to the Gentiles (Acts 22:17). During his ministry, he had visions from God to guide him and encourage him. It was by a vision that he was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:9). When the ministry was difficult in Corinth, God encouraged Paul by a vision (Acts 18:9). After his arrest in , Paul was encouraged by a vision from God (Acts 23:11). An angel appeared to him on a ship in the midst of the storm and assured him that he and the passengers would be saved (Acts 27:23). Along with these special visions that related to his call and ministry, spiritual revelations of divine truth were also communicated to Paul (see Eph. 3:1–6).” (from Wiersbe) E. Visions and revelation: Whether they concerned angels, , heaven, or other things, these things are more common in the than we think. “Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, had a vision of an angel (Luke 1:8-23). Jesus’ transfiguration is described as a vision for the disciples (Matthew 17:9). The women who came to visit Jesus’ tomb had a vision of angels (Luke 24:22-24). Stephen saw a vision of Jesus at his death (Acts 7:55-56). Ananias experienced a vision telling him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10). Peter had a vision of the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:17-19 and 11:5). Peter had a vision of an angel at his release from prison (Acts 12:9). John had many visions on Patmos (Revelation 1:1).” (from Guzig) “We should not be surprised if God should speak to us through some type of visions and revelations of the Lord. But we do understand that such experiences are subjective and prone to misunderstanding and misapplication. In addition, whatever real benefits there are to visions and revelations of the Lord, they are almost always limited to the person who receives the visions and revelations. We should be rather cautious when someone reports a vision or revelation, they have regarding us” Guzig

F. I know a man in Christ: Paul describes this experience in the third person instead of the first person (he didn’t say, “I myself had this experience”).

1. Why does he use the third person at all? Because Paul, in describing this remarkable spiritual experience, is describing just the kind of thing that the “super apostles” among the Corinthian Christians would glory in.

2. Paul walks very carefully in regard sharing his visions and revelations. Paul does everything he can to relate this experience without bringing glory to himself.

3. Paul’s spiritual experience had taken place 14 years before the writing of this letter, which would place the experience in about the year AD 43.

There is no record of the details of this event, anywhere else in Scripture and it is probably useless to speculate where and when this took place. The

2 important thing to notice is that Paul kept quiet about this for fourteen years, and now he mentions it reluctantly.

G. Whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows: Paul doesn’t really know if he was in the body or out of the body during this vision. It seems that in his mind, either one was possible.

H. Such a one was caught up to the third heaven: The third heaven doesn’t suggest different “levels” of heaven Instead, Paul is using terminology common in that day, which referred to the “blue sky” as the first heaven, the “starry sky” as the second heaven, and the place where God lived and reigned as the third heaven. Guzig Paul affirmed here the reality of heaven and the ability of God to take people there. The third heaven is the same as “paradise,” the heaven of heavens where God dwells in glory. Wiersbe

I. And heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter: describing this heavenly vision, Paul doesn’t relate anything he saw, only a description of what he heard. When we think of this, we realize how different Paul is from most of those who describe their so-called “visions” of heaven today. There is nothing self-glorying, self- aggrandizing, or foolish in the description of his experience. Paul waited 14 years to say anything about the incident, and when he finally did he said it reluctantly. He did everything he could in relating the story to take the focus off himself (such as writing in the third person). He doesn’t bother at all with breathless descriptions of what he actually experienced. Instead, he says nothing of what he saw, and says only that he heard things not lawful for a man to utter. Guzig J. What did Paul hear? They were inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. God didn’t want us to know, so He didn’t give Paul permission to speak.

H. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities: Paul tells us that the “nameless” man who had the vision really had something to boast about. But “Paul himself” really could only boast in his infirmities. Paul kept quiet about this experience for fourteen years! During those years, he was buffeted by his “,” and perhaps people wondered why he had such a burdensome affliction. The Judaizers may have adopted the views of Job’s comforters and said, “This affliction is a punishment from God…Paul had exercised great spiritual discipline during those fourteen years, for he had told this experience to no one. There is no doubt that this vision of God’s glory was one of the sustaining powers in Paul’s life and ministry. No matter where he was—in prison, in the deep, in dangerous travels—he knew that God was with him and that all was well.” Wiersbe Why was Paul given this vision? First, he was given it for you and me so that we would benefit from what the Lord showed Paul. Secondly, he was given it because what God

3 told him through this vision sustained him through all the trials of ministry and enabled Paul to give everything God wanted him to give to all generations. This vision helped Paul finish his course. Guzig III. How God Humbled Paul – The Bad (Or Was It the Good)? (12:7-8) And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

A. Paul states, “a thorn in the flesh was given to me” to prevent him from being exalted above measure, Paul was given an infirmity. Paul reveals the reason for telling of his heavenly vision; not to glorify himself but to explain his “thorn in the flesh.”

B. The mystery of human suffering will not be solved completely in this life. But in this case, Paul explains how God specifically used personal suffering in his life.

1. Everyone could see the thorn in the flesh Paul suffered from - it was no secret. His heavenly vision was a secret, but everyone “saw” the thorn.

2. We know the Corinthians had been convinced to look down on Paul because of his thorn in the flesh, (they were critical of his suffering), but they knew nothing of the incredible spiritual experience that lay behind it. If we have only blessings, we may become proud; so, God permits us to have burdens as well. Paul’s great experience in heaven could have ruined his ministry on earth; so, God, in His goodness, permitted Satan to buffet Paul in order to keep him from becoming proud. (Wiersbe) “He says, ‘There was given to me.’ He reckoned his great trial to be a gift. It is well put. He does not say, ‘There was inflicted upon me a thorn in the flesh,’ but ‘There was given to me.’” (Spurgeon) "Thorn" is also translated "twisting stake" which indicates excruciating pain. This was the physical suffering he endured from the "thorn". The messengers (angels) of Satan brought mental anguish. When God didn't heal him or answer right away. Paul felt spiritual pain. (Chuck Smith)

C. A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me: In an odd way, the thorn was given (ultimately by God) but it was also a messenger of Satan. God permitted Satan to afflict Paul just as He permitted Satan to afflict Job. To buffet means that this thorn in the flesh – the messenger of Satan “punched” Paul. The word means “to beat, to strike with the fist.” The tense of the verb indicates that this pain was either constant or recurring. (Blue Letter Bible) D. Paul’s prayer regarding the thorn in the flesh. 1. Paul did exactly what he told others to do in a time of trouble. Paul believed for himself what he wrote in :6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

4 2. Pleaded with the Lord that it might depart from me: pleaded is also translated, sought for, begged, Paul’s prayer was passionate. Paul’s first prayer was to escape the suffering this thorn in the flesh brought him, his first instinct was to ask God to take the suffering away. When his passionate and repeated plea was not answered, it must have concerned Paul. It added another dimension to this trial. It had a physical dimension; in that it was a thorn in the flesh. It had a mental dimension; in that it was a messenger of Satan. It had a spiritual dimension; in that it was an unanswered prayer. Guzig 3. What was the thorn in the flesh? Some Bible students think that Paul had an eye affliction (see Gal. 6:11); but we cannot know for sure. It is a good thing that we do not know, because no matter what our sufferings may be, we are able to apply the lessons Paul learned and get encouragement. Wiersbe

IV. Grace: How God Helped Paul – The Beautiful (12:9-10) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

A. God had a response for Paul. The answer was not what Paul initially hoped for, but God had a response for Paul.

B. The tense of the verb in 2 Corinthians 12:9 is important: “And He [God] has once-and-for-all said to me.”

C. Instead of removing the thorn from Paul’s life, God gave and would keep giving His grace to Paul. The grace God gave Paul was sufficient to meet his every need. Paul was desperate in his desire to find relief from this burden, but there are two ways of relief. It can come by removing the load or by strengthening the shoulder that bears the load. Instead of taking away the thorn, God strengthened Paul under it, and God would show His strength through Paul’s apparent weakness. Guzig D. What is grace? It is unmerited favor or mercy! What is grace? It is God’s provision for our every need when we need it. It has well been said that God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy, He does not give us what we do deserve. Guzig E. “My grace is sufficient for you.” How did God’s grace make the difference? How did it meet Paul’s need? 1. Grace could meet Paul’s need because it expresses God’s acceptance and pleasure in us.

2. Grace could meet Paul’s need because it was available all the time.

5 3. Grace could meet Paul’s need because it was the very strength of God. “My grace is sufficient for you.” Grace is the favor and love of God in action. It means He loves us and is pleased by us. Can you hear it from God? “My love is enough for you.” Isn’t it true? “My grace is sufficient for you.” Whose grace is it? It is the grace of Jesus. Isn’t His love, His favor, enough? What will Jesus fail at? Remember too that Jesus suffered thorns, so He cares, and He knows. (Guzig)

G. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities… infirmity = feebleness (of mind or body).

Paul was able to glory in his infirmities. This does not mean that he preferred pain to health, but rather that he knew how to turn his infirmities into assets. What made the difference? The grace of God and the glory of God. He “took pleasure” in these trials and problems, not because he was psychologically unbalanced and enjoyed pain, but because he was suffering for the sake of Jesus Christ. He was glorifying God by the way he accepted and handled the difficult experiences of life. Wiersbe H. For when I am weak, then I am strong…

Was Paul a weak or a strong man?

The man who traveled the ancient world spreading the gospel of Jesus despite the fiercest persecutions, who endured shipwrecks and imprisonment, who preached to kings and slaves, who established strong churches and trained up their leaders was not a weak man. In light of his life and accomplishments, we would say that Paul was a very strong man. But he was only strong because he knew his weaknesses and looked outside himself for the strength of God’s grace. If we want lives of such strength, we also must understand and admit our weakness and look to God alone for the grace that will strengthen us for any task. It was the grace- filled Paul who said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

V. Conclusion – What can we learn from this passage?

A. The spiritual should be more important to the dedicated believer than the physical.

B. God knows how to balance burdens and blessings, suffering and glory. Life is something like a prescription: the individual ingredients might hurt us, but when properly blended, they help us. Wiersbe

C. Not all sickness is caused by sin. The argument of Job’s comforters was that Job had sinned, and that was why he was suffering. But their argument was wrong in Job’s case, as well as in Paul’s case. There are times when God permits Satan to afflict us so that God might accomplish a great purpose in our lives.

D. Physical afflictions do not have to keep us from effective Christian service.

6 For Discussion and Reflection 1. Has God ever given you a vision or a revelation? What did you do with that communication? How did you handle it? Paul did share some of his visions, like the vision of the man of Macedonia beckoning him. But, Paul, in this case did not share (or at least write about) what God had shown him for 14 years, what can we take away from his example? 2. Paul states, “a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me.” Over time however and with lots of prayers and with maturity to hear the Lord’s voice in the situation, Paul eventually realized God was not going to remove the thorn from him but would give him His grace to live with it. Why did God allow this thorn in the flesh, that was a messenger of Satan to afflict Paul? What lessons did he learn from the thorn in the flesh that he was given? What made him able to glory in his infirmities? 3. It takes a mature Christian to embrace an on-going, long lasting, buffeting trial and receive God’s grace in the midst of it. Is this an experience that you can say you have experienced in your Christian walk? What has been the effect of that specific trial in your life? Pray for one another in relation to the physical afflictions that you might have. Pray for those who have long term physical infirmities that they might experience God’s grace in their lives, so that they along with Paul can say, “God’s grace is sufficient for me”. 4. Paul did not retire from ministry because he had a “thorn in the flesh” what can we learn from this? How does it glorify God when we embrace a physical infirmity and continue to serve God?

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